In Fishing the Film, there’s discussion of the various stages of emergence and the files that imitate them. Several people asked me to post the tying steps for these imitations, so here’s the first one, the Low Rider Emerging Nymph. Jason developed it a couple of decades ago, when he was fishing Montana’s DePuy’s spring creek. This imitation mimics the natural in Stage 1 of the emergence process (when the nymph first becomes attached to surface film in preparation for emergence).

Step 1. Tie in a thin tail of wood duck flank feather fibers.

Step 2. Tie in a polypropylene yarn post. The best way to do this is to fold the poly up around the hook and figure 8 the thread to secure the yarn to the hook. Then, make a couple of turns of thread around the very base of the yarn post, just above the hook shank.

Step 3. Dub on a very thin abdomen and tie in a hackle feather. Apply a tiny bot of dubbing to the thorax area around the base of the yarn post.

Step 4. Spin a tiny bit of yarn onto the thread about an inch from the hook shank. Wrap the hackle two turns around the base of the post, parachute style, and tie off—tying off will use up the bare thread between the hook shank and the top of the dubbing noodle on the thread.

Step 5. Wrap the dubbing forward to complete the thorax.

Step 6. Spread the forward pointing hackle fibers out to the sides, fold the poly post forward tight along the top of the thorax and tie off at the eye, forming the covert of the nymph. Clip the end of the poly yarn short, leaving a tiny tuft. Put a drop of thin, flexible head cement on the head and on the tuft. Fish the fly right in the surface film.

My friends John Beth, Dan “Doc” Zavadsky, and Dale Thompson hit the still-high waters of Wisconsin’s Michigan coastal streams on Thursday, 3/22/12 and found the steelhead in numbers. They also found spawning suckers in really serious numbers. The suckers relegated John et al. to egg flies, which they fished with real zeal. The water was still high and tannic colored, but the steelhead were in and accepting the fly. John took two for four hooked, Dale was two for two, and Doc was 2 for six. Quite a day. Of course, suckers eat eggs, too, and the guys probably caught 50 of them. Still, the suckers keep one’s interest high and one’s attention on what’s happening to the dead drifting egg fly.

If all holds together, weather-wise and water-flow-wise, I’ll get on the water next week for a couple of days. Nice fish like this only come a couple of times a year, and it looks like this will be a good spring for them.

A nice 30 inch female steelhead that John took early in the day.

John with a 33 inch male taken in later afternoon.

I had a nice comment from Michael about fishing with Martin in NZ. I’ll let Michael tell it in his words. See the link to Martin to the right.

I have just spend eleven days fishing with Martin in the Canterbury area and I gladly give my testimony. Martin accommodated our wishes in every respect and guided us to fishable high-potential waters regardless of the  weather/wind situation. We asked for the hard-going backcountry experience, and yes, we got it! Martin is up for every style of fishing: hiking ten miles on freestone headwaters with countless river crossings is on the daily menu just as much as stalking big browns on spring creeks. His knowledge about the Kiwi aquatic entomology and his very own style of tying productive patterns helped our hunt for that trophy as did his intimate knowledge of his home waters. Our catches resembled that photo above, with the “big-big-big-boy” getting away, by wrapping the leader around a sunken log. But what should I tell You? Go and try yourself! Martin will show you where and how. The rest is up to you, or to quote Martin: “Fortune is with the brave”!

Tight lines!

Martin knows where they are, how to get to them, how to find them, what they're feeding on, and how to catch them.

I’ve had a request to show the tying steps for the Hen Saddle Matuka. This fly is a nod to the original Matuka, developed in New Zealand in the early 1900s and used to fish for the absolutely monster rainbows on the North Island, and well as the huge browns on the South Island. The original Matuka was made from the very soft, marabou-like feathers of the matuku bittern. These birds have been protected since the 1930s, and their plumage has been replaced by fur strips, cock hackle, hen hackle, and other feathers. The Hen Saddle Matuka only became possible after Tom Whiting began specifically breeding a variety of birds, including the much-sought-after Coq de Leon and other strains. The hen saddles are incredible! Delicately mottled and speckled, they also have a perfect shape and softness for this fly.

You can read more about this imitation and many others in our new book, Long Flies, the third book in our series Fly Fishing. The Hen Saddle Matuka and other variations are discussed on pages 44-46 of Long Flies, and the fly is shown in color in Chapter 10 (fly 10.20). This new book will emerge from the press and bindery the first week in April. There is a pre-release special price for inscribed copies at $25.00 each, postage paid at Long Flies Pre-Release Special.  This special runs until April 15^th.  The books will be shipped sometime in the first part of April (see the post below).

The Hen Saddle Matuka is featured in our shortly forth-coming book: Long Flies.

Step 1. Attach the thread and leave a long tag end untrimmed.

Step 2. Tie in a hen saddle feather tip first, do not remove the marabou-like fluff at the bottom of the feather. Form a spinning loop, insert the feather in the loop so that the thread of the loop runs along the feather shaft. Close the loop and spin very tight.

Step 3. Wind the feather over the rear half of the shank.

Step 4. Repeat step two, winding the feather over the front portion of the shank; leave enough room at the head to wind a hackle.

Step 5. Tie in two hen saddle feathers like a standard feather wing; do not remove the marabou-like fluff at the bottom of the feather. Put the cup sides inward for a streamlined look, cup sides outward to give the fly more action.

Step 6. Use the tag end of the thread to secure the feather wing to the top of the shank, Matuka-style.

Step 7. Use a hen saddle feather to hackle the fly. Do not remove the marabou-like fluff at the bottom of the feather. Rather, strip off a bit of the fluff so that the portion of shaft with “normal” fibers is about the same length as that portion of the shaft with “marabou” fibers (left, above). Crimp the heavy, butt portion of the shaft between your thumbnail and index finger (right, above). This will allow the feather to turn easily around the hook shank and not break as the hackle is wound. Artwork by Jason Borger.

Step 8. Finish a neat head, and the Hen Saddle Matuka is complete.

I have been asked to show the tying sequences for several specific patterns. This Crayfish is one of them. It’s from page 205 in my book Naturals (published in 1981 by Stackpole Books, Harrisburg, PA). Although “impressionistic” in its overall design approach, it is none-the-less, realistic in that it clearly defines the features of the stationary crayfish (as opposed to the features of the fleeing crayfish). It’s fun to tie, and the fish like it.

A note on weighting the fly: weight can be added by wrapping lead wire under the body, using lead eyes, cones, or beads. One can also use foam over the cephalothorax and fish the fly with an “Anti-jigging” tactic. The fly can be weighted to ride upside down, also; in which case, the fly is tied upside down on the hook.

Step 1. Tie in a clump of guard hairs to form one of the pincers—bleached cottontail rabbit or other of similar coloration—and wrap the bottom 1/3 to ½ with the tying thread. It’s easiest start with the pincer that is on the far side of the hook.

Step 2. Tie in a second clump to form the second pincer and wrap the bottom 1/3 to ½ with the tying thread.

Step 3. Tie in a lacquered section of mottled turkey feather or similar-colored feather or feather segment.

Step 4. Form a spinning loop (in this case I was using 8/0 thread so I formed two loops of equal size and used them as a single loop—the two strands of thread make the loop twice as strong). Spin dubbing on one side of the loop and then insert guard hairs into the loop at right angles to the thread of the loop.

Step 5. Spin the loop very tight to produce the legging/body material that will be wrapped to form the cephalothorax (head/thorax area).

Step 6. Wrap the legging/body material over the rear 1/2 of the hook shank. After each wrap, stroke the legs rearward so they are not trapped under the subsequent wrap.

Step 7. Stroke the legs sticking “up” out to the sides, and then fold the turkey segment forward tightly over the top of the cephalothorax and tie it off; clip away any excess.

Step 8. Trim the legs off the bottom of the fly and wrap forward and form a small dubbing ball just behind the hook eye.

Step 9. To form the telson, tie in a clump of guard hairs under the hook and immediately behind the small ball of dubbing. Wind the thread tightly up against the dubbing to flare the guard hairs a bit. Form another spinning loop tight up against the cephalothorax.

Step 10. Spin dubbing on one side of the loop and then spin very tight; wrap forward to form the abdomen. Spinning the dubbing very tight will allow you to form a nicely segmented abdomen.

There is a chunk of Montana that most anglers don’t really think of when the envision going “West.” It’s the far northwest of Big Sky country–the land that lies to the Pacific side of Glacier National Park. This wild and rugged area holds a special river, the Kootenai. It is in this wonderfully remote and wilderness land that Dave Blackburn has chosen to offer the fly fisher a truly great angling experience at his Kootenai Anglers Lodge. I’ll let Dave tell you about the river and its fish.

“The Kootenai River emerging from Libby Dam is Montana’s newest tailwater fishery. Cradled between the Cabinet Mountain Wilderness and the Purcell Mountains, it contains a wide array of insect life to support prolific hatches throughout the season.The Kootenai and its tributaries are the only waters in Montana to contain a native strain of rainbow trout, called Columbia Redbands. These trout are indigenous to the headwaters of the Columbia River. They are known for their excellent acrobatic fighting ability and their characteristic “football” shape. Fish are active year round with the controlled consistently cool flows from the Dam. Weed beds, riffles and long deep runs contain an array of aquatic insect life to support from 1500-2500 catchable trout per mile. The Kootenai fishery remains one of the western rivers that is virtually unaffected by drought and forest fires due to the deep, large reservoir which insures an endless, cool water supply.”

Dave’s lodge offers a large, high quality restaurant and full service fly shop, in addition to lodging in a variety of individual cabins and the “bunkhouse.” See it all at www.montana-flyfishing.com

But that’s not all! Twist Dave’s arm (just gently, please) and out pops his banjo. He’s a member of a couple of authentic bluegrass bands that perform regularly. You can watch him play and listen to the bands’ great sounds at

Sheldon Mtn Boys:www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynQEnJk4wh0

Meadow Blasters:  www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYSEXxwQ4k8

The Kootenai is a big river with many opportunities to locate feeding fish.

Anglers float the mighty Kootenai fishing from the boat or stopping to wade fish particularly fine runs.

The Kootenai is big water holding big fish. These are the Columbia Redbands and they fight long and hard.

The Meadow Blasters looking exactly like the cowboy bluegrass band that they are. Dave holds his banjo at the ready. Deliverance, anyone?

Banjo Dave with the Sheldon Mountain Boys. They can play up a real storm.

PRE-RELEASE SPECIAL OFFER

Order now and SAVE. First One Hundred Orders—available only until April 15^th. Books Ship First Part of April.

Fly Fishing, the Book Series, Volume Three: Long Flies—Streamers, Bucktails, and Other Big Fish Flies. The term “long flies” is more than just a slightly enigmatic name for a book, it’s a topic that has significant relevancy for all fly fishers because fishing long flies holds the greatest opportunity for the fly rodder to take big fish in any water type. Big fish target the food sources that provide the greatest amount of energy; these are the long fly organisms such as minnows, leeches, eels, mice, and more. Long fly patterns imitate these big organisms that big fish feed on, and that means fish ranging from big trout to big tarpon. The concept of long flies and what they can do for the fly fisher goes well beyond simple patterns and basic retrieves. Indeed, the long-fly world is a rather refined place, honed to effectiveness by many decades of angler input.

In this book you will find an historical exploration of long flies, from their earliest, simplistic days to twenty-first century “techno-flies.” Eighty-one example imitations are shown in full color. You will also find a discussion of effective ways to fish all of those patterns, from basic “cast-and-strip” retrieves to more evolved methods that have their roots in other fly-fishing and all-tackle disciplines. Proven tactics like The Baitfish from L, the Broadside Float, the Leisenring Lift, Shotgunning, the Jigging Swing, the Strip/Tease, Walking the Dog, Trolling and Drifting, and many others. Throughout the book, the “how to” and “why to” are brought to life with stories that stretch back over half-a-century of Gary’s fly-fishing life. Complementing all of this is a collection of black-and-white illustrations by Jason Borger.

Go to: www.ebay.com/itm/200728537970?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649#ht_2590wt_103

When Bob Pelzl and i filmed South Island Sampler in 1986, we had the help of a young man named Martin Langlands. Martin is now very much a well-known guide on the South Island, with a good reputation for finding big fish. You can see his operation at www.troutlands.com. Great fishing with a very solid guide and great person.

Here are three Utube videos that martin has made about his NZ fishing

www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3y5R1WFU3Y

www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSVzBMnQr_Y

www.youtube.com/watch?v=05deElGwnLQ

Have you every had one of those trips where you tied all the flies and everyone else caught all the fish on those flies? Well, my old friend, Walt Mueller, “The Otter,” was fishing the South Fork and Middle Fork of the Clearwater recently, and fell victim to this nasty turn of events. Here are Walt’s own words about the day.

Sunday through Tuesday on the South Fork was great with good fish for two of three days. The last day, I was hammered, stomped, spanked, and just plain out fished, humiliated, whipped and thrashed by the Travis De Boer group. Having the same eggs, same colors, same sizes, same rigging, and fishing the same runs did The Otter no good!!, I had one hookup against 15 to 20 hook ups by Travis, his Mom, Krisie, his step-dad Art plus Travis’ wife Julie!! They took no pity on this old man! To add insult to injury, humiliation, and disgust, Art Pine offered to sell me back some Otter Eggs in the correct size and color so I could start catching fish on them!! Imagine!!!!!

So sorry, Walt, but we’ve all been there! And with steelhead season just ready to get underway here in the western Lake States, there will probably be some of those days in my future, too.

Walt with a great fish.

Hmmm, why the complaints?

Steelhead like this one love Otter's eggs.

A steelhead too long to hold without having it bend a bit in the midsection.

If these guys were catching fish like this--one after the other on my flies and I caught only a meager one or two--I'd be a bit dismayed, too.

Otter's eggs are the best "natural look and feel" eggs out there.

A fish like this one would put a smile on my face, too. Note the pegged egg.

The Fly Fishing Show at Pleasanton was an extremely well attended event. The weather really cooperated and all three days were warm and sported clear blue skies. Friday’s crowd was as heavy as the usual Saturday crown, and the Saturday crowd was just plain dense. Sunday’s crowd was also heavier than usual. I gave casting and fly tying demonstrations, a PowerPoint presentation on Presentation, and signed books on Friday. Saturday morning started with a casting class from 8:30 to 11:00, but the group learned so well and so quickly that all of us decided to stay and continue expanding their skills until about 11:45. Then came casting and tying demonstrations, a PowerPoint talk on Long Flies—Streamers, Bucktails, & Other Big Fish Flies, and time in the author’s booth signing books. Sunday began with a Bible Study that I offered for attendees, followed by a casting class that again learned well and fast and extended to 11:45. In the afternoon, I gave a tying demonstration, a PowerPoint talk on Presentation, and signed books at the Author’s Booth. A great show with great people.

A leather denizen of the flats by renowned artist Lance Marshall Boen (see his link at the right).

They're not just scales on the tarpon. Each one is and individual fish in relief.

Ride 'em cowboy, or cowgirl. A leather brown by Lance big enough for some serious rodeo work!

Lance doesn't just do fish. This wonderful leather sculpture of a cape buffalo truly evokes the real thing.

The Pleasanton Show offered many wonderful learning opportunities for the fly fisher. Here George Daniels give some very clear and effective fly casting instruction.

Saturday and Sunday's casting classes were filled with eager students that learned quickly and well. Good work all of you!

The casting class learned about the Elliptical Stroke and its wonderful effectiveness in casting against the wind.