"Even on the best day of fishing I ever had, I still did more casting than catching and there have been plenty of days when I did nothing but casting". John Gierach
I'm out there because I love the look and feel of moving water at any time of year. I don't really like chipping ice out of my guides and would rather be working out a 25 foot cast to a rising brown on a balmy June morning instead. Winter fly fishing is a diversion because we are lucky enough to be living near a tailwater and that's all we have. I think it's safe to say that my fly fishing season is a season of following aquatic insects that are in-season and not throwing glittery attractors that represent nothing in the river. (When I fish a streamer it's usually high sticking like a nymph and not swung in the traditional way.)
So, tonight we are expecting 12 to 18 inches of snow in the Swift watershed tonight. If you like winter flyfishing then you will get your wish. Me, I'm starting to dream of Hendricksons!!
My Favorite Caddis
The photo above shows a handful of the DMS Caddis. It proved its worth on freestones last season like the Millers, the Ware and the EB, especially the EB. Buggy hares mask, a turn or two of partridge, a bit of peacock and a size 14 hook just can't be beat. What I like about this pattern is that you really represent most caddis just by changing the size. I guess it's my quest to carry one fly pattern!!
Ken
10 comments:
Ken,
You do make a point about new flies and tactics that when the season rolls around, really suck. It's still fun to experiment.
Russ
Looks nice! Might be good with a twist of Woodcock too!!
12" to 18" I can't wait! It's the perfect time to tie up some fly's with the wood stove burning, a warming glass of fine bourbon and my dog at my feet. My wife is sure to have a home made pot of hot stew simmering. As New Englanders we love getting snowed in, yet the local news will be covering the "Death Storm", 24/7 from the milk or bread isle spreading fear of the "terror" upon us. It must really be terribly embarrassing for them?
Anonymous, 12:16
Woodcock is working its was into many of my soft hackle flies, especially the larger ones!
Ken
Dean F,
I love this comment. I don't have a wood burning storm any longer and I don't drink hard stuff any more but I do all of the cooking under my roof and the pot is always simmering on weekends at this address especially when a foot or more is expected. It's being a natural born New Englander is guess.
Hats off to you!!
Ken
Ken, can I ask you what hook you tied those flies on? Very nice...
Mike,
I use Saber dry fly hooks on the flies shown. Some are barbless and some have pinched down barbs. I get them online from FLY SHACK in Gloversville NY. High quality and at a low price!
Ken
I think you are the fly fishing minimalist Ken! I love tying and different patterns so I will always be the guy with an over stuffed vest and an additional 10-20 semi filled boxes in my car, on my tying desk and stored away. I have tried to go the one or two box route several times but the itch to have more is just too strong. I was on the Madison in September at the end of the hopper hatch and the guys at Galloups were saying drop an ant behind the hopper as they are looking but not biting the hoppers so much anymore....having the over stuffed vest that I do...I tried that but didn't much success so I switched it up to a CDC beetle...that was the saving grace that day, they were on the beetle 10:1 over the ant...I shared a couple with my brother and one with a guy who drove out from California- something to be said for being over supplied I guess!
BobT,
I'm trying to be. My tailwater bag has tailwater flies and not a lot, just a good selection. Why carry 30 size 14 partridge and orange soft hackles when 4 to 5 will do?
My freestone bag doesn't carry size 30 because you don't need them on the Millers, just the good stuff.
Now, my flytying table at home. That's an other story!
Ken
Dean F - I like your post a lot too. You have a very vivid description of the the scene, the tying, the dog, who can forget the Stew or the bourbon, perfect. I wish I was there. :). I am blessed with a wife who is a great cook, baker, everything and snow days are a joy here too. Enjoy!
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