Egg Sucking Leech

As promised, I have been spending some time at the vise. Here's some of my variations for the egg sucking leech. (Feedback is greatly appreciated.) Sorry I haven't included a video for this but it will be coming. 

This version is tied with a black rabbit strip and a black marabou feather.

Hook: Mustad 9671 Size 6

Thread: Black 8/0

Tail/Body: Black Zonker Strip

Head: Red Egg

Collar: Black Marabou Feather

This version is tied with a black rabbit strip and black saddle hackle.

Hook: Mustad 9671 Size 6

Thread: Black 8/0

Tail/Body: Black Zonker Strip

Head: Red Egg

Collar: Black Saddle Hackle

Till Next Time - Tight Lines

An Early Christmas

A couple weeks back I seen my wife was on Gmail chat so I decided to talk with her. I asked her about my Christmas present this year. I posed the question: "Would it be cool I purchased my Christmas present this year?" Her immediate response was "What is it?". I then explained what it was plus the advantages it had compared to my current product. Little did she know I still had the biggest selling point sitting in my back pocket just waiting for the right time to spring it. It was going to be the price. It was unbeatable! Then all of the sudden, BAM! There it was, the question I was waiting for. "How much?" she says. I now know I have one shot to make the sale. I let it fly. I shared a price comparison to the price on website and how I would save about $300 bucks. Plus, I explained that there were a few extra items that would be included in the package. 

I did it! I made the perfect sales pitch. Now all I have to do is wait. So I sat and stared at my monitor for a moment awaiting the verdict......... Ticktock, Ticktock, Ticktock. Seconds felt like hours. Then it happened! "Sure" she said. "It's what you like to do during the winter." I couldn't believe what I was reading. It was all I could do not to jump out of my chair and run up and down the hallways yelling. Once I finally calmed down, I thanked her and I placed an email to the gentleman I was in contact with and committed to the purchase. About 3 days later it showed up at my door. My daughters and I ripped it open. It was like I was a kid again on Christmas morning. There it was, my very own Nor-Vise Fly Tying System. I have been looking at this vise for about two years. Searching Craigslist, KSL, Ebay and just about any site where things could be sold trying to find a deal. It was brand new and has never had a hook in the vise. Most of the components were still in the plastic wrapper.

Its now set up and producing flies. There is a slight learning curve associated with it since it's a rotary vise. The creator of the Nor-Vise, Norm Norlander includes a DVD with techniques on how to use it. I will start to share flies and videos once I have perfected the vise.

I would like to give a special thanks to my wife! She is by far the best friend and person I could ask for!

Update!

Last Friday we headed up to the hospital to find out what the baby will be. I was secretly hoping for another girl which would have made three but I was about to be disappointed. There on the ultrasound we counted three legs. The Doc said "Congratulations, you hare having a baby boy!"

Till Next Time - Tight Lines

What! It's only December!

Well it's safe to say that fly fishing in western Wyoming has officially came to an end. Headed out to start the pickup today, looked down and realized what the thermometer was reading. It was reading -24 degrees! What! It's only December! So, from here on out (or for the 5 months at least) I'll be at the bench producing flies for the upcoming season. To start this tying season off, I'll be throwing together some springtime nymphs and emergers with an occasional streamer, then work into some summer dries. For each pattern tied, there will be a video tutorial to go along with it as well as a list of materials. Who knows, some of the materials and flies may go up for sale later in the year. Only time will tell. But in other news we are expecting our 3rd child due in late April. Once again another exciting time and adventure is set to begin! Plus an added bonus, the baby will come toward the end of the spring Steelhead season and just before the Salmon season begins in mid to late May.

But stay tuned over the next few days because I will have something very new to share!

Till Next Time - Tight Lines

Fly Tying Friends

I have a local fly fisherman/fly tying friend that has been spending some time at his bench producing some of the best fish catching flies I have every used on the Upper Green River. Here is a small sample of what I am talking about.

He tied some of these streamers up earlier this spring and they produced some very nice fish. Here's one of the fish that was fooled by the pattern.

So I guess you could say that I'm pretty grateful to have Tom as a close friend.

Till Next Time - Tight Lines

Chironomids, Caddis & Pheasant Tails

We did some chironomid fishing over Labor Day weekend and this is what we turned up.

Ty Shippen & 6 lb Kamloop

Photo by Jerry Gillette

We set out around 7:30am not knowing what we would find since it was pouring rain. With fly rods in hand we headed out to brave the elements. Though it was pouring rain it turned out to be a great day! The water was a little murky not due to the rain but I believe the State is conducting some work somewhere up stream resulting in about 6" of visibility within the water. That being said we still "knocked the socks off" the fish early while the action tapered off toward mid morning. We all landed close to 30 fish each with more than 50 or so pull downs within the first 2 hours of the day. The majority of the fish were weighing in around 3 - 4 lbs. All in all we had a pretty successful day on the water but unfortunately I had to leave around noon to head back home to Wyoming. 

Till next time - Tight Lines

Rapala? What?

Spent some time with a rapala trolling Boulder Lake the 15th with a friend of my father-in-law who one could say is a friend of mine..?.? Anyway, we where on the water by 6:30 AM and had six (6) in the boat within 4 hours. I would say that is a pretty productive morning (me not knowing if that is a good morning since I don't troll). It did however spark an interest for looking into a boat. Nothing big, just a 14'-16' outboard jet dive boat. Any-who, here are some pictures of the lake and fish.

Till next time - Tight Lines

Riggins Salmon Trip 2013

Good news! We made the trip to Riggins, Id this year for the 2013 salmon season. We pulled into town Monday May 27th and immanently started to fish. I stayed till Thursday May 30th and Claude stayed till Saturday June 1st. We started out fishing the "old reliable spot" the motel hole. I hooked one and landed it about a hour after we pulled in, Claude hooked one had it on for about 30 seconds and lost it. Tuesday morning we rolled out around 4:30 AM and headed to the river. We hit the same place early but it didn't produce anything so we moved on. Claude headed to a spot down river called "the post office" and hooked into a nice 15 lb wild salmon. After awhile I too moved down river and we started hooking and landing several salmon. We met some new people this year and seen some familiar faces. Among the new: Phil, Bob Daniels, Joe (the best fisherman on the river according to some) Fred Trenkle and Dennis. Sad to say I didn't see one of the familiar faces there this year Bill Rousy. He died last year from something that escapes me right now but he will be missed! My father-in-law spent sometime in the boat in whats known as the park hole. Didn't produce a lot of fish this time but when your in the boat he usually will have your limit in about 30 minutes.

We had a lot of fun this year and I'm looking forward to next year.

Fishing the Post Office.

Landed Monday afternoon

Monday afternoon

I believe this is Claude's 1st of the trip.

2nd of the trip.

Cleaning up the river!

Till Next Time - Tight Lines