First outing of 2011

I got the chance to get out this weekend with my good buddy Brandon Alexander of Catskill Fly and Float with hopes of swinging big streamers for big fish on the West Branch of the Delaware River.  Hours before we were going to leave, they cranked it up to 1700 cfs (400 cfs would be ideal) leaving us scrambling for a plan B.  With ice clearing up on the Beaverkill and Willowemoc, we decided to head to Trout Town, USA.  We were met with some showers and water barely above freezing.  The fish were lethargic for sure, and we pretty much had to put our flies right on their noses.  We managed to hook up with about 6 between the two of us, Brandon netting one on a streamer, with all of mine coming on small patterns.  I lost a really nice fish as he broke me off on a rock a rods length away from me.  A size 18 black birds nest seemed to work well for me.  In a few weeks the fishing will be picking up, but a day like this is exactly what I needed to beat cabin fever.  For information on the flies I was using, be sure to check out my Fly Shop page.

We certainly had different view on how to fish

My first trout of 2011

A nice holdover

Brandon proving that fish will hit a streamer in cold water

Acetate Floss Tying Video

Hey all,

I've received a lot of requests lately on how I incorporate Acetate Floss into my fly tying, as well as using the material in general.  I thought that I'd put together a quick tutorial on the floss, accompanied with a quick pattern that I love to tie.  Let me know what you think, I love the feedback.  Any questions, feel free to email me at TheThirstyTrout@gmail.com

Tying Flies with Acetate Floss

I thought I'd do a quick post on this subject since it was a subject that got very little attention when I started about a year ago.  Acetate Floss is a material that can be used to make very realistic shellbacks and nymph backs.  The floss is very similar to the standard floss that is used in fly tying.  When treated with acetone, the floss melts and becomes hard and translucent.  This can make extremely realistic cases for your nymphs and streamers.  You can achieve very different results depending on the technique that you use.  I've wound, braided and layered the floss for different looks.  The best way to find out what works best is to get creative.  One tip that I picked up was to use a paintbrush to coat the floss.  If you dip the floss into the acetone, it often melts completely through, exposing the lead wire or whatever materials you have underneath.  I've attached a couple of photos of some flies I've created using the various techniques I've mentioned.  If you would like to purchase any of these flies, please contact me at TheThirstyTrout@gmail.com.  You can also see them in the shop page in the blog.  I'm going to try and work on a video tutorial to show some of the techniques that I've used.

You can see here that Acetate Floss is available in a variety of colors.  These are only a few that are available, I tend to stick with the most natural looking hues for my flies.

 Here is a great alternative to a worm pattern in high water.  Dead drifted or on the swing, trout seem to love it.  I just simply wrapped the floss forward.

Here is a great Caddis pattern that I made by attaching 2 strands of Caddis Yellow and Light Brown.  I would each color and wrapped them forward.

Here is my version of the Jelly Cord Caddis.  I used 4 strands of Insect Green Acetate Floss and wrapped forward, finished with a Peacock Herl collar.

This was my best producing caddis pattern of 2010.  I wound the Floss and wrapped it, then wrapped over one strand on top.  You can see the segmentation underneath the top layer.  Finished with an Ostrich Herl collar.

 This simple pattern was my favorite this past season.  Simply a wrapped hook shank with a fine copper rib.  The collar is muskrat.

 Another variation of the above pattern.  I wound the floss and wrapped it forward.  A layer of floss wrapped on top, finished with goose biots and a peacock collar.

 This stonefly tied in a size 10 is absolutely deadly.  This too is formed with wound Acetate Floss, with a layer wrapped on top.  The wing case is also Acetate Floss.

This stonefly is a standard pattern with a wound Acetate Floss rib on the fly body.

Tried and true patterns for the Catskills

Going through my fly boxes to see what needed to be replenished, I thought that I would take the time and post some patterns that have been killer for me in the streams of the Northeast.  These flies have caught fish everywhere, and could be a useful resource for anyone looking to make a trip to these fabled waters.  These flies are for sale on the shop page, or you can contact me directly at TheThirstyTrout@gmail.com

2x Hotspot Pheasant Tail Soft Hackle

Green Caddis Pupa Czech Nymph

Green and Brown Acetate Floss Pupa

Black Czech Nymph

Braided Acetate Floss Caddis Pupa

Tungsten Pheasant Tail Nymph

Black Birds Nest

Tan Birds Nest

Tungsten Hot Spot Rubber Legged Stone 

Black Tungsten Hot Spot Stonefly 

Black Tungsten Stonefly

Tungsten Acetate Floss Tan Stone

Tungsten Acetate Floss Tan Stone w/ Hot Spot

Tungsten Turkey Tail Micro Stone

Black Wooly Bugger w/ XL Hackle

Fly Fishing in the Catskills

I got a chance to compile some pictures and video from the past season.  Accompanying me in most of it is my good friend, Brandon Alexander of Catskill Fly & Float, who guides in the Catskills.

Hope you enjoy

First snowfall in PA

With the holidays right around the corner, its only natural that we are getting our first snowfall in Philadelphia.  While I haven't been able to make a trip up to the Salmon River for steelhead, I have been busy at the fly tying bench.  It's always interesting to look at your boxes at the end of the season to see what worked, what will be replenished, and what will be subject to removal.  I've been busy tying up the usual pheasant tails, hare and coppers as well as a number of new Acetate Floss nymphs.  I'll post some pictures later, as well as a review / comparison of the Greys 10' 3 wt. Streamflex and the brand new Orvis 10' 4 wt. Access.  Both should be arriving any day now.