Recent comments

The recent ones have

Murryrandy,

Most of the recent Davie McPhail videos have lists of materials, but in the beginning Davie didn't give this information, and you will have to either hear what he says or figure it out from the images.

Martin

What materials are used on Davies patterns

I'm constantly having trouble figuring what materials are being used on Davies patterns . Is there a site I can go to for help?

Midges

I haven't tied flies in years. Your video makes me want to get back into it. Thank you!!

I've been tying my own

I've been tying my own buggers in the size 14-16 range for the past 35 years. when i first started fly fishing i noticed the absence of the smaller sizes in fly shops and the difficulty in casting the larger ones with a 4wt rig. i may start the day trying dries or other patterns, but the buggers are my "Go-To" flies. i've caught just about every fresh water fish possible in California and Colorado. in fact, late last night i caught my first walleye here in CO, on a green bugger with black hackle and tail. the smallmouths seemed to be fond of this pattern, along with a bead head bugger in brown. people passing by kind of trip out on me fly fishing at night, but it seems to be the best time for Smallies, walleyes and brown trout. the larger browns that don't come out during the day, just love the dark buggers at night. makes me wonder why i fish any other pattern.

This is definitely an

This is definitely an interesting read. And as a lady angler myself, I must say, I don't disagree. And I honestly don't think you've discredited anyone- you've merely expressed a pretty accurate observation.
A lot of these women have definitely marketed themselves to an easy target, yes.. (men in general, and men who fish). But unlike a lot of experienced guides and professional anglers (most of whom I see, are men) I can't ever figure out what I'd benefit by following a girl who fly fishes and posts "selfies" or worse, bikini pictures with fish- as I am more interested in discovering new spots, pretty fish and new tips and tricks of the trade (which I find more prevalent when viewing men's profiles) And Maybe it is just for a woman's own self esteem, or the social status bull shit that overwhelms the internet.. I mostly find it fascinating that women have found an outlet where they can express their "unique look" to an attention/praise-gaurenteed audience. But I suppose thats what social media has done for us, which isn't all negative.
But I stand by your opinion, and agree... It isn't these women in bikinis on a sail boat holding a fish, that I myself would consult for the latest fishing news, buzz and gear either. I guess I would judge based on the image they are giving off, man or woman, whether a connection with them (network specific) would ever be of real use to me. I'd like to think that I can tell if the angler knows whats up/ what they're doing based on the image they're portraying.. vs engaging in fishing solely for male or social media attention.
I will say, this rant has inspired me take my own image seriously, as one day, I'd like to be an angler that fellow anglers- men and women, would respect and seek advice from.

Anyway, thanks for sharing!

Martin, really great article

Martin, really great article and fantastic picts. I wish to know and flyfish that region.
Best regards,
JJS

Comment to Green Drake tied by Stanley Williams

So cool, I will try this tomorrow for this weekend trip. :)

Pike fly

Did it work? What is the recipe? (for the fly)

Tube Mouse

The NY fish will love it...especially the Chain Pickerel.

Yuk Bug evolution

Is the yuk-bug the "Adam & Eve" of flies?

floatntote rod holder

I have looked on the internet to buy a floatntote rod holder and can not find one. If anyone knows where I can buy one please respond.

Fly Line Conditioner

I've been fly fishing, making custom cane fly rods, furling and varnishing my own silk lines and leaders for nearly fifty years now.
I can remember when you could buy a good Pflueger Medalist out of the Sears and Robuck for a hefty price tag of $9.00 and the only fly line you could even buy then was woven, level floating and you usually had to strip it and re-varnish it once a year or when it started to show cracks. I've seen the era of bamboo come and go and come back again. Then I seen fiberglass hit the market for a short window, till graphite and composites came along followed by all kinds of fancy new technologically super plastic polymer advanced fly lines, and I'm still using the same conditioner on them as I have used on every other fly line I have had over the course of half a century. Natural deer tallow from under a deer's tail. Buck or doe, don't matter, and if you hunt, it's free and in abundance.
Fall deer is better of course because they are building up stores for the cold winter. Completely waterproof, natural conditioner and it lasts forever. Does not build up a sticky film. Fly's through your guides like shit through a goose. Does not collect dirt. No chemicals. Won't harm plastic, poly, nylon, rubber or any other artificial or natural fiber.

So there you have it in a nut shell. A little bit of old school.

John

Spring on the coast

Very nice pictures Martin, I hope to fish there sometime in the near future!

Best regards,

Tom .

Comment to Jim Bennett

Jim, I am looking for a source for the Golden Olive Mallard Flank. Can you point me in the right direction?

Great fly

Tim,

What a good looking style! I love the USD construction. It's always nice to see something that breaks a bit with tradition.

Thanks for posting.

Martin

UTC is there

Brian,

UTC threads are from Wapsi, and they are there. I haven't had them all in hand, but all the information I have been able to gather is in the table.

Martin

UTC

Good info. Got it booked marked. When will you be adding UTC threads?

Comment to #59 - Kokanee Sunrise

It's a pretty fly but a bit of over kill for Kokanee, just saying.

Not mutually exclusive

Miki,

Smooth and large heads don't have to mean bad varnish jobs and loose materials! A smooth head doesn't have to mean the cold soldering of varnish jobs. You can varnish your flies with a couple of layers of thin varnish, which will penetrate the materials and secure them. Then you can keep on varnishing with more layers or switch to a single layer of thick varnish, which will give you volume and smoothness.

I don't mind my fishing flies having heads a bit on the rough side, but I do enjoy flies with good looking and smooth heads, particularly on traditional streamers, which often have pronounced heads.

I have plenty flies in my boxes that have both smooth heads and many hours in the air and in the water, and I know many tyers who can tie flies that both look good and last.

The two don't exclude each other.

Martin

01April2016

I've always understood that Flora was Olaf's teenage persona...but I do always take the GF advice to go out and practice.

Smooth or not

"This often requires several layers of varnish unless you use some really thick stuff"
Yes it is and if thick thing is used it's like cold joint on soldering. Looks cool but wont help a shit.
I did have flies like picture of smooth head, but they lose their wings on first throw.
Dont't judge book by it's covers, and give them one try. If they look bad you can still catch a fish with those, but if they are really bad you're fishing with bare hook.

flyfishing in denmark

Hey Martin. Are you still there? I am visiting Hamburg next month and am starting to look for information about fly fishing in Denmark. Was hoping you could help or at least point me in a good direction. Regards

Barbados

Good morning,

Just saw the thread although it might be a bit old.

I'm doing a bit of fly guiding here in Barbados, so for tips or guiding, contact thomasrunerasmussen@gmail.com or facebook:barbados bonefish flat.

Also an article on diybonefish.com under barbados

Cheers.

The U-haul

Neal,

I will look into the U-haul and consider it for an article... same time next year, maybe?

Martin