Fly Tying - Truttablog

You really have to watch yourself

I read somewhere recently that the character trait in which one favours nostalgia, is in direct contrast to to the trait in which one seeks new adventure. Put another way: If you spend your time in fond reminiscence, you are less likely to be trying new fly patterns, and new tippet rigs and heading out to new fishing destinations. It had me thinking. I have to watch myself! I am a nostalgic. By that very definition, I am at risk of being an old fart. So to comfort myself I stay abreast with things and keep my mind open to

1 July 2017

Midge emergers

Which way up? CDC vs Deer Hair? Roy Christie style vs Bob Wyatt style? Grip hook vs Hanak? Tail breather vs none? I am leaning towards the reverse fly, which puts the tippet below the surface, and I like the CDC for its delicacy and movement. The Hanak hook has a wider gape, which I like. The hackle on the CDC fly should help float it, but I am thinking I could go with more sparse and longer hackle. There are worse ways to occupy an evening…..

2 June 2017

The Troglodyte

While I have previously written about the “Honey Troglodyte”, it is the black one that is my real go-to pattern on a swiftly flowing stream. My son James did a photo session recently, while I tied up some samples for an article on the fly. See this LINK for the full story and tying instructions. Photos by James Fowler

6 November 2016

Stolen flies (4)

24 October 2016

Stolen flies (3)

4 October 2016

Bill Miller’s flies

My Friend Jay Smit recently returned from the States, bearing gifts from his host in Boise, a week or two earlier. The ever generous Jay, invited me to put my paws in the cookie jar, and take a look at what I pulled out!……. Wow! Thank you Jay, and thank you Bill!

23 September 2016

Reverse flies: Upside down and the other way around.

In April this year, a man by the name of Kenneth Einars posted these pictures on Facebook: Interesting aren’t they! And beautifully tied too. These immediately sparked my interest, because I had recently read Peter Hayes’ excellent book “Fly Fishing outside the box”, where, in chapter 3 he makes a rock solid argument for having your adult dun imitation facing upstream if there happens to be a downstream wind. Hayes is a deep thinker, and a great writer, and throws old ideas wide open for re-consideration. That’s what he has done with the idea of having your adult mayfly imitation

13 September 2016