Classic.......

Classic...
The meaning of, well I don't have a Webster handy, but I'll give you my meaning in these few lines.

The timeless simple beauty of a delicate Catskill dry fly, as it sits near a wet fly, perhaps of English heritage, a workhorse for sure.

Several patterns created by one of fly fishing's inovators. Fran Betters flies appear to be a bit rough, but where ever a trout swims, and a Betters pattern floats, a connection will take place.

A book written by Joe Bates, which I and many who fish and tie streamers, consider to be the bible of streamer flies. Along with a few classic irons from Ray Bergman.

Classic beauty for sure...... Streamers, Carrie Stevens patterns.

Classic's for years. I have enjoyed these over the years. And perhaps a few of these have graced the tables, or the stones along side fishing camps.
Can any of the above be placed along side a 1955 Corvette, a Colt 45, or a Frank Sinatra album, and be equal..... Yes, in my world.



Pollen, Clouds, and Some Funky Feathers

In this time of year the streams and the woods are bursting with new life. Trees are in full dress, the water is crisp and the flows are very suitable to both trout and angler. The flowers have started to bloom giving a special eye appeal to those who cast their way.
It also can create some uncomfortable feelings. Pollen that is in the air will become a problem to many, flowers, trees, and newly sprouted mushrooms can cast spores everywhere.
My usual reaction to this is a raw feeling in the back of the throat, and some sneezing. For others it's much worse. I guess it comes to that old saying, Take the Sweet with the Sour.

If you were lying within inches of an undercut, in a clear flowing stream... and a bunch of funky feathers were to swim by. Would you take a whack at them?

These are what I like to call, "Clouds in the Stream". They appear as light riffles in the photo which look to be clouds. They give me a feeling of tranquility when I look at them.

Another sight that is wonderful to view. As well as to eat.



Stream Hot Spots, Waders, and a New Fly

There have been countless streams I have fished over the years. Many of those streams countless times. There have been those areas of the streams that look like they would trout hotspots, possessing everything needed to bring success. And as you fish these same spots every time you visit the stream it's always the same. You catch nothing there, most times not even any interest shown the fly you present. As I cast my fly on these places I ask myself, WHY. Perhaps I do this in the thought of taking an exceptional fish there. I don't know, but I will continue to do so.

These are examples of parts of a stream that should give up a fish or two, but never. Still every time I'm there a fly will drift through.

I had picked up these hooks at a fly shop sale over the winter. The other day I put a few other materials together and fashioned an emerger. An Ausable Klinkhammer? I fished this fly yesterday, and well thats for another post.

The majority of the streams I fish are small, generally not very wide or deep. I do not ware waders or hip boots but a pair of hiking shoes. I'll fish these streams from the banks, and if I have to cross a stream, there's always those areas where a gravel bar, or a log may help me do so, if not, well wet feet.



One of the Best

Bill Edsons Fly Wallet with several of his streamers.









The Light Edson Tiger is a bucktail that I have fished with great success since the mid seventies. It was created by Bill Edson of Portland Maine in 1929. It is a good pattern for aslmon, and trout.
It's an easy fly to tie, with materials that are fish takers.
I tie them in sizes 6 to 10, with sizes 8 and 10 being my favorite sizes to fish.
I have posted three variations of this bucktail, and they all work well.

These two flies are similar, only the tails are different.

This fly is tied with brass cheeks. This is what Bill Edson used on his streamers. and is on the original Edson pattern.

This pattern has worked so well for me over the years, I consider it to be one of the two best bucktails for wild brook trout.