Macro Midges

I am really beginning to love this new lens. It took a bit to get used to, but once you've taken a million pictures, a few actually come out nice. Below are a few example of some of my favorite midge patterns for the winter months.

The DP Midge, one of my all time favorites.

Not to sure the name of this midge pattern, but I like it.

Red Tail Emerging Midge.

The Midge army. 

Video - Crescent Cress Bug

I have a small obsession with cress bugs, one that rivals my obsession with sculpins. This is a fly that has worked well for me over the past few winters. The first edition of this fly was designed almost three years ago, and after about four re-designs I am very satisfied with it. Life like, but doesn't take a lot of time to tie. Check it out.

Strip Set - George Daniel - TCO Store Tour

BRYN MAWR: Friday November 20th 3pm - 4pm: Fly Tying Demonstration: George will demonstrate his favorite 6 Streamer Patterns (Sparkle Minnow, Michigan Fry, Murdich Minnow, Sculp Snack to name four) - free event

5pm - 6pm: Streamer Presentation: George will discuss his streamer tactics & techniques. - free event

READING: Saturday November 21st

12pm - 1pm: Streamer Presentation: George will discuss his streamer tactics & techniques. - free event

2pm - 3pm: Fly Tying Demonstration: George will demonstrate his favorite 6 Streamer Patterns (Sparkle Minnow, Michigan Fry, Murdich Minnow, Sculp Snack to name four) - free event STATE COLLEGE: Sunday November 22nd 12pm - 1pm: Streamer Presentation: George will discuss his streamer tactics & techniques. - free event 2pm - 3pm: Fly Tying Demonstration: George will demonstrate his favorite 6 Streamer Patterns (Sparkle Minnow, Michigan Fry, Murdich Minnow, Sculp Snack to name four) - free event

Macro Flies

My lovely wife gave me a macro lens for my camera as a wedding present. I have been messing with it for a while now and can finally take a decent picture with it. I am no professional photographer here, but I do love taking pictures. Once we got back from Belize I made a goal to fill all my nymph boxes before I would go fishing. Well the before fishing part didn't work out, but I have completed filling in the gaps of all four boxes. The caddis box, midge box, sow bug box, and general nymph box, are all full. Here are few shots of some of my favorite patterns for most nymphing situations. 

Small Prospecting Nymph.

An Army of Prospecting Nymphs.

Orange Collared Pheasant Tail Nymph.

Pheasant Tail with a Hot shot. 

Psycho Prince Nymph and Pheasant Tail.

Artsy Black and White of a Squirrel Nymph and Pheasant Tail.

Two of my favorite Jig style flies.

Midge, Midge, Midge 

Variety of Midge Fly Patterns. 

Peaking Caddis Jig a 2015 Orvis Tactical Fly.

Simple Caddis Larva.

An army of Cress Bugs.

The Pink Sow Bug Fly.

Natural, Rainbow, and Pink my three favorite colors. 

The natural sow bug or cress bug is a great fly for all winter time fishing.

Featured Fly - Double Squirrel Jig

This pattern is almost identical to the last fly I put up the only difference, its tied on a jig hook. I have had great success with the little double squirrel, so I decided to make it an anchor fly as well. We are getting into the winter months so getting as low as you can and staying in front of the fish longer, will make you more successful. Have fun.

Materials:

Hook: Orvis Tactical Jig - 10-14

Thread: Ultra Thread - Fl Orange 170

Bead: Tungsten Slotted Bead - Black - Match 

Tail: CDL Dark - 12-15 fibers 

Rib: Mirage Tinsel - Med - Opal 

Body: SLF Squirrel - Nat. Fox 

Thorax: SLF Squirrel - Dark Brown

Collar: Ultra Thread - Fl Orange 170

Step 1: Make your thread base while tying in the ribbing.

Step 2: Tie in your CDL Fibers. 

Step 3: Make a small Hot Spot out of your thread.

Step 4: Start your dubbing body right in-front of your hot spot. 

Step 5: Making tight wraps, dub the body.Tight wraps will help push the guard hairs out. 

Step 6: Taking the ribbing under the tail and back over the top, make your rib.

Step 7: Dub the thorax. 

Step 8: Make your Hot Collar and whip finish. 

Step 9: Final Step, take a dubbing brush to it, making it as buggy as you would like. 

Finished: Double Squirrel Nymph tied on Orvis Tactical Jig Hook

Finished Fly Pattern

A Trip to the Great Lakes with the Mailman

Steve and I made a trip to Western New York in search of some large lake run brown trout. With the fishing reports all reading on the positive side, the fishing pressure was very high. However fishing the great lakes is often times very busy but if you walk a little further or get up a half hour earlier, you
can always find water. With large trout swimming all around you, sometimes you just forget about the people fishing next to you.

Most of the time when people think about Great Lakes fishing its all about bright and flashy flies. Sometimes you need to think more on the natural side, or the trout side if you will. Large oversized trout flies with very little flash often times make the difference between a good day and an amazing day. Stonefly patterns always take up a whole side of my fly box, and are a go to pattern anywhere I travel for steelhead. The other side is full of oversized trout flies such as franchies, caddis larva, and hares ears. You always have to have some bright stuff, but brown, black, and olive are always the first choice in color for me.

Steve and I had a killer time, check out the photos.