October 11, 2009

“Through the Eyes of a Child”

GearingUp

During these difficult times in our country, staying involved in the fly fishing industry hasn’t been easy!  The economy sure has affected the sport I love and all of those who are involved.  Personally, I’ve been seeking other business opportunities to make a living!  My career started many moons ago as a commercial fly tier and I continue to design tube flies for Rainy’s Inc. but staying focused has been difficult to say the least!  Don’t get me wrong…I love to fly fish and teaching others is a passion but I still have to pay the rent!

OtherPath

Fall of the year, as you may already be aware, is my favorite time of the year and in our family I try to give everyone interested a chance to fish salmon (Chinooks and Cohos) on the fly that is tube fly if you’re fishing with me!  My son is next in line to join the brotherhood of salmon fishers in our clan!  His mom and sister (equal opportunity sport) already have several salmonids under their belts now it’s his turn to experience the thrill!

WettingLine

Our adventure began early in the morning, scouting several small tributaries of the Grand River in Michigan for migratory Silver (Coho) Salmon ready to pass-on their genetics for another generation of Great Lakes salmonid!  We, as seasoned anglers, take for granted all the little things we do during a typical fishing outing but to a child on his first adventure…they are huge!  I had to quickly step back and see things “through the eyes of a child” and take notice…then our adventure got even more exciting and special for both of us!

TheCatch

Putting on our gear had more meaning…taking a secondary path (more exploring) to the river had more meaning and just seeing that “first” fish truly had more meaning too!  The lack of enthusiasm I’ve had recently magically disappeared thanks to a little boys excitement which is truly the essence of fly fishing!  Thank you, Cole… for re-igniting the spark in your dad’s soul…welcome to the brotherhood!

October 9, 2009

Fall Harvest

Fall Harvest Chalk

Designer- Tony Pagliei

Tubing- HMH 3/32” Cut-to-Length (2” in length)

Tag- 1/8” Colored Junction Tubing to match Butt

Butt- Goose Shoulder Fibers to match Junction Tubing

Ribbing- Holographic Tinsel

Body- Hares Blend Dubbing

Throat- 1/8” Cross-cut Rabbit Strip

Wing- Squirrel Tail Fibers over Hula Wraps

Hackle- Pheasant Rump Hackle

Cheeks (opt.) – Jungle Cock

Cone (opt.) – Eumer or HMH Conehead to match

 This pattern is a creation from the feathers and fur of the “fall harvest”!  I enjoy small game hunting and bird hunting…nothing goes to waste in my household!  I have to admit…I’m not a big “artsy-fartsy” tube fly designer but this Spey styled TF is easy on the eyes!  It’s been in the concept stage for years and finally my vision has come together!  Best of all…it catches fish on the swing!

 I tie several color schemes representing the three major color phases of squirrels in North America…the grey fox, the red fox and the mutant black!  This pattern can also be weighted by incorporating a brass conehead or dome cone to match the color scheme being tied.  For example…I use a silver cone with grey fox, a brass cone with red fox and a black nickel cone with black fox.  The color of the junction tubing (tag) and butt material should also match to give contrast and added color to provoke a strike!

fall harvest black (2)

October 2, 2009

Let the games begin!!

GRCoho

     October is upon us and the salmonids are entering the tributaries of the Great Lakes region!  It’s time to… “let the games begin”!  Fall is truly my favorite season but only wished it would last a few months longer!  If you’re a newbie when it comes to fishing tube flies for salmon, lake-run trout or steelhead just keep one thing in mind…go fishing!

  That’s right…the best learning experiences come from “trial and error”!  You have tied your new offerings on tubing with feathers and fur…now it’s time to get them wet!  Don’t let the best fishing months of the year (October and November) slip away…go fish!

     Trust you and me…I’m ready for all of the jolting strikes, aerial acrobatic, reel screamimg runs and a picture or two!  This is why…I fish!

CattSteelie