Repopulation

We at TCO, have to thank everyone for your support towards our new Fingerling Program! We raised enough money last year to put 1,500 fingerlings in this year, at this years movie night we did the same, next year we will be putting in another 1,500 fish. We hope to keep this tradition alive each year. The fingerlings are now swimming around the Tully!

Big Thank You to everyone who helped, and supported our cause!

Fall on the West Branch

After a very successful movie night at the shop, I woke up to my alarm at 3 am, in a semi zombie state, I went outside and hooked the boat up. Jack, Casey, and I were headed for the west branch with 6wts, sinking lines, and boat boxes full of streamers. Jack had asked me about 2 months ago if we could go strip streamers on the WB in the fall, umm yeah! So we checked the gauges and it looked perfect. I 100% forgot to look at the wind, opps 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 40, I rowed my ass off. But we managed 2 fish on streamers, and 2 nymphing the fast water. Cold beer, deer sausage, and brats for a hot lunch, and home made monkey bread for dessert. A short story but some awesome pictures to go with, enjoy!

Tully Report - Low Water, but It's Cold

Well water is back to a nice temp to get out and fish. Water levels on the other hand, not so much. I went out Sunday and Monday, flows were 74 cfs, I thought that was low. Now its 45 cfs. Either was the fishing was awesome both days, my main reason for going out was to test out a new streamer I came up with. It doesn't have a name just yet, but the trout love it. While I was out throwing some meat around, fish were consistently coming up for Caddis, Tricos, BWOs, and Midges. If you don't want to look at a 22 or 26 tie on a beetle or an ant, trout can't resist them this time of year!

Movie Night - Low and Clear

Just wanted to shoot everyone a reminder about this weekends event. Everything is in place for a great movie night, with all proceeds going to TCO's fingerling stocking program. We will be having a raffle before the movie, silent auction with some pretty cool stuff (simms pack, smith glasses, guided trip). Victory Brewing Company has donated 10 cases of beer, and Philly pretzels will also be there to munch on. We also have a guest tier coming to the shop all day Frank "Chip" Swarner, will be at the shop tying flies all day. So stop in and pick his brain about steelhead in the great lakes and watch him work.

Fishing Report - Late September

Well, its been a while since I wrote a Tully report, the Schuylkill took the front seat throughout the summer. So here we go, Casey and Kyle went out Friday morning, it was a tough morning of nymphing, only a couple fish landed. They covered a decent amount of water, zebra midges, lighting bugs, and BWO nymphs, were the ticket.

I went out Sunday evening to find a nice selection of bugs flying around. White Flies, BWOs, tiny sulphurs, Caddis, and Cream midges. I only had a short time to fish, that was all I needed. I took fish on size 20 CDC BWO patterns. The water is low and clear, so light tippet is a must have.

Tully Nymph selection for the fall

Tully Dry Fly Selection for the fall

Schuylkill on the other hand, well I try to keep everyone up to date weekly. Last weeks rain storm brought levels up for about 24 hours. Then it plummeted back down to, super low and clear. The fishing has been slow, but we have moved a few super nice fish despite the levels. So pray for a couple more storms and the bass will be on. Water temps are dropping, mid day to evening is the best time to get out, with the cooler temps the bass are putting their feed bags on, getting ready for the winter. Zuddler minnows in olive still prove to be my favorite fly of the season, and last season, and the season before that, pattern hmm, I think not.

Featured Fly - Hard Candy Stone

The Hard Candy Stone is the close cousin to the Thumpin Jack Flash Stonefly. It is very close to it, with a few new twists. The Thumper has proven itself over the past 3 seasons from the Great Lakes to Alaska. Change the color and it can be a golden stone, little winter stone, or even a giant black stone. Check it out.

Materials:

Hook: TMC 2457 sz. 10 - 6

Tail: Goose Biots - Black 

Abdomen: Ultra Wire - Black & Matching Color

Legs: Goose Biots - Black

 Thorax: Estaz -  Black, Pink, Blue, Chart

Wing Case: Thin Skin - Mottled Oak 

Step 1:  Tie in the first color of ultra wire, on the side of the hook.

Step 2: Tie in the second color of ultra wire, on the other side of the hook.

Step 3: Make a small dubbing ball, to help split the biot tails.

Step 4: Tie in 2 biots making the tail. Wrap your thread half way to the hook eye.

Step 5: Wrap both colors of ultra wire to the thread point.

Step 6: Take a pair of pliers, with tape(Helps to not scratch the ultra wire) smash the wire down  making a flat body.

Step 7:  Tie in 2 biots for the first set of legs.

Step 8: Tie in the estaz and make 2 wraps forward.

Step 9: Tie in the first wing case.

Step 10:  Tie in 2 more biots, making the second set of legs.

Step 11: Make 2 more wraps of estaz.

Step 12: Tie in the second wing case.

Step 13: Tie in 2 more biots, making a total of 6 legs.

Step 14: Whip Finish and cut off. Add a little head cement to seal the head.

Step 15: Take a pair of scissors, and trim the estaz on the bottom. Making a thin profile.

 Finished Fly: