Wedding Season

I just got done tying up part of Megan's order for her upcoming wedding.  Megan is going with a very casual setting and thought that the natural tones in these boutonnieres would really add some distinct character to the men.  After some back and forth, we decided on 2 different boutonnieres, one style for the Groom & Groomsmen and then another for the Fathers.  She has been a pleasure to work with, and I can't wait to get these out to her.

The Battle of the Vests - Simms G3 vs. Patagonia Guidewater

I've been using for the past season a Simms G3, but recently decided to make the switch and try out the Patagonia Guidewater Vest.  Both vests have the same MSRP, $200 USD.  The Simms is certainly a very cool looking and well designed vest.  I think the website boasts 22 pockets, which never left me wanting more space.  I fit 6 fly boxes in there without a problem, as well as all of my other tools and gear.  My only downside to this vest is that it never quite felt comfortable.  It's molded to shape, which certainly helps the fly boxes fit in their places, but always left me feeling like I was part of a SWAT team instead of enjoying a day on the stream.

The Guidewater vest arrived today, and I was pleasantly surprised at how comfortable it was from the get go.  The vest itself feels like you're hardly wearing anything at all.  I immediately tried to stuff my boxes and gear in there, all of which fit without a problem.  Like the Simms, it has plenty of straps, holes, and clips for all of your tippet spools, forceps and other gear.  Both vests also boast a full back pocket, perfect for holding those larger items, which in my case, consists of a bottle of Gatorade, a sandwich and some dog biscuits.  The only thing I'm cautious of is that many of the pockets are mesh lined.  I'm hoping that they will hold up, otherwise this will be making a trip back to Patagonia.  The Guidewater also has curved pockets which are supposed to help with the natural curvature in your body, and they seem to do a good job of that.  I'll post up a report when I finally get to fish it.  As first impressions go, if I were to see these two side by side in the fly shop, despite the G3's really cool look, I think I would go with the Guidewater.

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

Tying the Tungsten Egg Fly

This may be the last egg patten that you ever tie.  Here is an easy fly that you can tie in under 2 minutes and catches fish year round.  I find it especially effective in the late fall, winter and early spring.  Whether it be for steelhead, big browns or football shaped rainbow trout, this fly produces.  In the winter, it's like candy for steelhead and resident 'bows.  The tungsten bead really helps get the fly down along the bottom where natural eggs drift, and is deadly when fished in tandem with a stonefly or a dead drifted streamer.  Tie a couple and try it out.  I promise you that you won't be disappointed.

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.

Hand Tied Fly Fishing Boutonnieres!

These beautiful hand tied boutonnieres are perfect for weddings, proms and any other special occasion.  They're the same ones that I used on my wedding day and are perfect for the fly fisherman (or non fly fisherman) in your life.  

The boutonnieres are hand tied on floral wire and bound with floral tape, and behave exactly like a live piece.  Better yet, they won't look flat at the night's end and last forever.  I offerer 3 sizes (more pictures to come soon): large boutonnieres (shown) work well for grooms and groomsmen, although many people opt for the medium size for their groomsmen & fathers of the bride and groom.  We are now offering a small size which is perfect for little kids as well as ushers if you choose.  You won't be disappointed at the quality of these pieces, the feathers are not glued on or made in a factory.  I personally tie in each feather to ensure that quality is consistent and each one is truly unique.

If you're ordering 4 or more, please contact me for discount pricing.  Any order over $100 ships for free.

You can order these on the the Shop page or contact me for custom options.  We can incorporate different colors and materials to ensure that they are exactly what you want.  

Thanks for looking,

The Thirsty Trout