Recent comments

Happy coincidence, indeed

Rory,

You wouldn't think that the choice of flash would make such a big difference, but the Crystal Flash reflects light in a different way with its many small surfaces pointing in all directions. The Flashabou on the other hand, reflects light in glimpses when it turns the right way, and I can imagine that this looks more like a small baitfish turning in the light and emitting a short flash.

It might be me overthinking things, but it sounds plausible to me. And the proof of the pudding, as you know ...

I will try tying some Pearl Mickeys - but probably also try with my "earthy" colors rather than red/yellow only.

Martin

Pearl Mickey sounds like a killer

Rory,

That sounds like a killer pattern. The flash will definitely add some attraction, and when fishing slightly murky or turbulent coastal water, a bit of flash won't hurt.

Exchanging the top wing of the streamer patterns shown here with a few straws of flash would be an excellent variation of these otherwise very stealthy flies.

Martin

Sea-run Trout and Coho Salmon

The venerable ol'-time Mickey Finn, a Canadian borne fly pattern, has been vastly improved for fishing in saltwater along coastal BC. The dressing is; silver tinsel body, with a layered wing of yellow Polar bear hair, red Polar bear hair, then several strands of pearlescent Flashabou, all on a size 6 hook. It is called the Pearl Mickey and has built quite a reputation for itself as a top fish producer off the beaches of Vancouver Island. Cheers!

old men's fishing

Hello Bob, I have reached the same stage as you after years. I am 85 years old, I have problems with my knees and wading in large rivers, but I also no longer carry 1000 flies and other stuff with me. Light equipment...
Wet flies are great.
Dry flies, streamers too...
Better than tungsten balls.
I fish mostly in Slovakia. So far I have managed with all types of fishing gear. I can only remember the fishing trips to Sweden, Russia, Ukraine, etc. I used to...

Old School Wet Flies still work

Thanks Bob, this article is particularly interesting. I'm increasingly using old school wet flies with success for brook trout fishing in rivers.

Soft Hackle Flies

Nicely done article, Bob. Yes, with maturity comes wisdom, as well as unsteady wading. No need to push it anymore. Let the flies do their work and hang on. No extra glitze, just natural goodness with a lot of soul.... that's soft hackles. Cheers!

AI Slop

Thank you, thank you, thank you, for keeping it real. Muchly appreciated! Cheers!

Everything can become dubbing

Rory,

It's a good example of the fact that everything can become dubbing. When I comb out fur, trim fluff off feathers or cut bits of yarn or floss off repeatedly, I usually keep the scraps, which more than once have made and addition - or even the foundation - for some great dubbing.
It gives some excellent material to experiment with, and if it works, you can always cut more on purpose and mix a new batch.

And stuff like polar bear is precious and every bit needs to be saved and used!

Martin

Underfur as Dubbing

The short underfur found on Polar bear hides is a great substitute for seal dubbing. Most of this fur gets combed-out when using Polar bear hair for wings on salmon and steelhead flies. Use empty 35mm film canisters or small zip-loc bags to keep different colours of underfur ready for use. It makes great, stiff under-collars on Intruder style flies when twisted up into wire-core dubbing brushes.
Cheers!

Some variations I like

Thank you, Mr. Petit. I have several books by John Sewey, and they are all wonderful to browse and, above all, inspiring for successful fly tying. For several of the hairwing patterns Sewey suggests, I add a heron feather hackle to the fly head to give them a bit more movement. Also, tied on size 6 and 8 hooks, some of these flies are also very good for Atlantic salmon in shallow water.

He inspired a lot of people

Serge,

Oliver did inspire a lot of people - you obviously ... and me too. I met him several times, and always learned a lot from him, and like you I swallowed his videos (VHS and DVD's) and stil love his book Flytyers Masterclass.

A true fly tying legend.

Martin

Mr. Edwards taught me how to tie flies

I was the only one in my small village who tied flies, so it was with the step-by-step tying instructions he published in an English magazine and later, thanks to VHS videos, that I learned many techniques for tying trout flies. A master for me.

I added a couple of images

Serge,

My skills aren't that exceptional ... I'm basically a messy person, and sometimes struggle to find stuff that I used just minutes ago. That's why it's really nice to have a room for the purpose. I can mess around, and then just close the door. The room is mine, and I'm basically the only one using it.

And the reel display is still there behind the vise. I added a couple of pictures showing it better. I'm actually looking for one more, but can't find anything identical or similar - even though this one has a sticker with a brand name and a number. But one day I might find something that can hold the rest of my reels.

Martin

Knowing how to organize is a skill

You have a multi-purpose room. Three actually: work, GFF, and studio. I don't know how you manage your space, and especially how you find things in it, but I envy your organizational skills. I took advantage of the renovations I'm doing on my century-old house—I know, nothing like the old European houses, which are much older, but for a wooden house, 100 years is old—anyway, I took the opportunity to create a dedicated fly-tying area. To keep it tidy, I take out the materials I need for each day's fly as I go. I admit I find it difficult to get the materials out, tie 5 to 10 flies, and then put everything away before getting out what I need for the next fly. But, in my case, it's the best way I've found to keep « ma tête hors de l’eau », means to survive. The materials are sorted by category into boxes which are placed in a piece of furniture that I made.

I can't see that beautiful display case where you keep your favorite reels. It must be somewhere that showcases these lovely objects! ;-)

Giraffe lamps

I bought my Giraffe lamp and magnifier in 1992. Earlier this year the mounting stud for the lamp's flex arm went wonky and wobbly. I emailed Moffatt, received a phone call and spoke with one of their support staff and they mailed me free of charge the two parts I needed to for my lamp.
Giraffe lamps, as they were once known, can now be found at https://moffattproducts.com/flex-mounted-lamps/.

I am not a runner’s high

I know well the impact on the production of adrenaline in my body when I catch an Atlantic salmon or an Arctic char. But I understand, from reading your text Martin, that there is another level that relegates to the background, fatigue, the need to take a break, or even the inability to make one more cast. I did not have the « chance» to experience that. To quote my girlfriend, “As any good Gemini, you are unable to focus Serge” lol. She knows what you're talking about, she was a high-level athlete here in Canada

Olympus TG's are awesome!

I have an older version of the Olympus TG-7 and it's been an excellent camera for many years. It takes a beating and I don't have to worry about it. The lens for such a small camera is very good, hence no need for the large number of pixels. I'll take lens quality over pixel count every time. Loads of pixels cannot overcome a crappy lens.

I was thinking about getting a newer model but my current model is still going strong with replacement batteries.

DrL

I'm costing you money!

Serge,

I hope you don't end up bankrupt with all the books I get you to buy!

No, seriously, you will like this one. It has a great approach to the subject, and features some really great (or at rather: efficient) looking flies.

Martin

Different approach…yeah!

Martin, the way you describe this book has forced me to spend another penny lol. I can't wait to receive it, to leaf through it, to read it. Thank you for introducing your reader to it.