Posts tagged "fly tying"

A White Winter Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - January 17, 2014

It’s been a while since my last fishing report. Most of you know that Winter came in hard and a little early this year and we have barely had a break in the weather. The old saying, “What doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger,” might be appropriate as the week of sub-zero temps we experienced have made the days when the mercury rises into the 20s seem warm.

Those brave enough to get out have been able to find some winter steelhead in the local rivers (Manistee, Betsie, Boardman) thanks to the fall’s bountiful run. I imagine just about all the rivers on the West side of the state have a decent number of hold-over/winter steelhead in them. With water temps just over the freezing mark most fish are going to be condensed to the deeper holes and on the inside of any seam. Should there be some structure (wood) or rocks in it, all that much better – they feel safe in there and don’t have to fight the current as much. If fishing smaller rivers cover all those secondary holes on the way to the deeper ones but don’t spend too much time in there.

While the duck and chuck method will work this time of year, it’s the floating line with indicators/floats that seem to have the advantage as it gives you a better drag-free drift and can also help you suspend your flies above any wood or other snags in some slower water. For more on rigging, click here.

Winter – in my opinion – is a great time to fish a realistic hex nymph – they are relatively big, have good motion, and should be a realistic imitation. Other flies that have done well for me in the winter include caddis – both in bright green and cream, hare’s ear nymphs, and always an egg pattern. Once the sun (remember the sun?) comes out a little more often be sure to have some small stone flies in your box.

Should the weather keep you from fishing there are plenty of things to do to keep you engaged in the sport: tying flies, reading books, watching dvds, cleaning out your vest and gear bag or even planning a trip or two. Click here for some ideas on how to keep busy during real winters like the one we are experiencing. And if the winter-blues has you a little stir crazy grab your skis, snowshoes, or skates and get outside.

Good luck

Ted

Steelhead -With fish in local rivers Spring steelhead fishing should start as soon as the weather changes.
2014 Fishing – It’s not too early to start booking your 2014 dates – reserve you place in the boat today.

boardman betsie, fly fishing report, fly tying, hex nymph, manistee, stone fly, winter steelhead

Early Black Stonefly Nymph Pattern

Posted by Ted Kraimer - March 17, 2013

Ted’s Early Black Stone

Small black stoneflies are one of the first aquatic insects to hatch in significant densities making them an ideal fly choice for those fishing steelhead in late winter and early spring. This quick and easy to tie stonefly nymph pattern helps you load up a row in your fly box quickly, allowing for more time on the water.

Stoneflies crawl around on the bottom and often become active with a slight increase in temperature – most notably when the sun is out warming the water a degree or two. The adults flutter on the water but the nymphs crawl to the bank to emerge. Look for them on any streamside snow, and if you see this happening- tie on a small black stone.

Spring Steelhead

Fish it dead drift like any nymph- preferably in tandem with a larger fly – often an egg pattern to serve as an attractor. Trout anglers have also found this nymph successful in the early season when the bugs are active.

Borrowing from the pheasant tail nymph, this pattern was designed to be impressionistic and quick to tie. This fly’s simplicity is what makes it a favorite to fish. Who doesn’t like an effective fly that is quick to tie?

Optional Epoxy Head

Tie a few of these Early Black Stones with the sparkling epoxy covered wingcase borrowed from the Copper John fly pattern adding a nice element to it. This sparkle often provides just enough “trigger” to get fish to bite. Even though these flies get active as early as February and continue through April, this pattern, especially with the epoxy head, can come up big in the fall.

Ted’s Early Black Stone is available from Rainy’s Flies and can be bought in stocking fly shops. Below are tying instructions for you fly tiers.

Early Black Stonefly Recipe

Hook:               TMC 2457 #8-12 or Daiichi X120
Thread:            Uni 6/0 Black
Tail:                 Peasant Tail – Black
Body:               Thread
Rib:                  Black Wire – Large
Thorax:            Ice Dub – Peacock
Wingcase:       Pheasant Tail – Black
Legs:                Pheasant Tail – Black

Tying Instructions

Step 1. Place hook in the vise and wrap a base layer of
thread to above hook barb and then back to toward the eye.

Step 2. Select 8-10 strands of pheasant tail dyed black and tie in on top of the hook so the
natural tips of the tail extend about a hook gape’s distance beyond the barb/base layer.
Now wrap thread back towards hook eye and over the shank which becomes the body.

Step 3. Tie in the wire on top of the hook at the thorax area. With your fingernail against the wire to keep
the wire from spinning at the tie-in area, wind the wire back towards the tail. Using wire cutters, trim the wire.

Step 4. Tie in another clump of pheasant tail (or the remainder of the original material) to serve as the wingcase.

Step 5. Dub a robust thorax with Ice Dub.

Step 6. Pull the pheasant tail fibers over the thorax as the wingcase
and tie down with two or three wraps – DO NOT TRIM excess material.

Step 7. Divide the pheasant tail fibers to each side of the hook and wrap them
so they are positioned about 45 degrees angled backwards.

Step 8. Trim the fibers, which are now the legs, so they are slightly longer than the thorax. Whip Finish and
apply water based head cement over the thread body and head. Standard head cements will melt Ice Dub.

Optional Epoxy Head:

Step – 3 1/2. Between Steps 3 and 4, tie in a piece of flashabou.

Step – 7 1/2. Pull the flashabou over the wingcase, centered and tie off.

Step – 9. Apply a drop of Loon UV Knot Sense over the thorax and cure with UV light. You can
use 5-minute epoxy or Clear Cure Goo as an alternative to Knot Sense to achieve the same effect.

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copper john nymph, fly tying, how to tie stonefly nymph, ice dub, late winter steelhead fishing, manistee river, stone fly, Stonelfy Nymph Pattern

Yo-Yo Weather. Winter Steelhead Fishing Report 1/31/13

Posted by Ted Kraimer - January 31, 2013

Not much has changed since the last report as we continue to experience lots of swings in the weather – from mild to distinct winter and then back again. This week’s 50 degree warm up came with a lot of rain and the river levels came up significantly. You will find the local rivers stained with increased turbidity as water temps hover in the mid-30s. Any shelf ice that developed the week before is long gone.

Look for this increase of water to simply “reset” everything. Some new, fresh steelhead should move into the rivers joining the winter steelhead already spread throughout the Lake Michigan tributaries. With the size and volume of the Manistee the recent rain and snow melt provided a bigger flux of water and is likely to significantly shuffle the fish around throughout the system. With water temps being as cold as they are, don’t expect fish to migrate or move as fast as they would if the water were warmer but rather seek out the deeper, slower holes well on the inside of the fast moving water where some fish will take advantage of the stained water and slide into the shallows to avoid the moving water.

Big, bright egg flies and nymphs like sparkle stones, leeches, big bright caddis and large hex nymphs with “triggers” tied in them would be a good approach to finding what the fish are in the mood for. With fish hanging around wood in the shallows, a big streamer swung can be effective. Then again, with the long-term forecast calling for a spell of cold weather, you might find that tying flies and filling up your fly boxes might be a better alternative; with the first of the salmon’s offspring starting to develop alevins and fry patterns should prove effective – tie some up.

Good luck,

Ted

Winter Special: Take advantage of warm-ups this winter! 5 hours of fishing and lunch – $250
Gift Certificates: Ask for or give the gift of a guide trip or casting lesson. It’s a quick and easy gift! Click here.
Spring Steelhead: Mid-March isn’t that far away – get your dates secured and reserve your place in the boat.
– – Currently Booking for all 2013 Seasons – –

alevin pattern, egg flies, fly tying, fry pattern, hex nymph, manistee, steelhead

Winter Mode – Steelhead Fishing and Fly Tying

Posted by Ted Kraimer - January 20, 2013

Winter is bouncing back and forth between mild and severe offering decent windows of opportunity when the temps are comfortable. There are steelhead in the local rivers with a mix of fresh and winter fish in all systems including the Manistee, Betsie and Boardman. The thaws and rains over the past couple of weeks helped bump water levels up which mixed the fish a little bit moving them around as well as inspiring a few fresh fish to enter the rivers.

Water levels are normal for winter steelheading and rather than typical gin-clear water, there is just a little color to it which is good. Since the fish in the systems are mixed, you will find that the increases in water shuffled the deck so to speak and this will help to keep the fish from being overly stale which can be a problem this time of year as they tend to hibernate in the deep, slow water. Water temps are running in the mid-30s. The drag-free drift is most important this time of year as the fish are demanding. Egg patterns this time of year do a decent job of catching fish and their attention so if heading out be sure to fish a tandem rig with very realistic looking nymphs like hex, caddis, and small mayflies. Presentations under an indicator/float is a good idea this time of year to help with the subtle take but also to help you suspend your flies above structure. Look for the inside of seams to be more productive throughout the winter.

The forecast isn’t calling for any warm-ups and should the weather service remain true to its prediction you might find the cold of January is a great time to tie some flies or read a book on fishing. Some old and new favorite books of mine include: Mayflies – Top to Bottom by Shane Stalcup, Dynamic Nymphing by George Daniel, The River Home by Jerry Dennis and Bonefishing by Randall Kaufman. Check your local fly shop, club or group for fly tying classes this winter – it’s a great way to spend a cold, dark night thinking about fish, filling your fly box and learning more about flies and fishing.

Good luck,

Ted

current works, fly tying, hex, indicators, manistee, manistee river, michigan, nymph, nymphing, steelhead, ted kraimer

Flashtail Clouser Minnow

Posted by Ted Kraimer - July 3, 2012

Flashtail Clouser

Most anglers are familiar with the Clouser Minnow — a highly effective fly created by smallmouth bass angler and guru Bob Clouser. With its lead eyes and streamlined bucktail construction, the fly acts similar to a bucktail jig and can effectively be fished in a variety of colors for a variety of species, making it one of the most versatile patterns for both fresh and saltwater fish.

The Flashtail Clouser was influenced by the original Clouser Minnow pattern and Dan Blanton’s rendition — the Flashtail Deep Minnow. Notable differences in this pattern include a tail of reflective Flashabou, a body of synthetic dubbing to add some bulk and transparency, and a belly and wing made from soft, natural materials that have more movement in the water. The result is more durable than bucktail.

Smallmouth Bass caught on a Flashtail Clouser

You can fish the Flashtail Clouser in both rivers and lakes with both floating lines and sink-tips. I suggest tying these flies using various sized eyes from bead-chain to a few different sizes of painted dumbbell to allow fishing various depths and current flows.

With floating lines, use leaders around 9 feet in length to allow the fly to sink. When stripped, the jig-style hook and a floating line create a fleeing “hop” while moving forward, imitating a spooked and fleeing baitfish — something predatory fish often key-in on.

Fish this pattern with varying speeds and pauses on sink-tip lines when you need to get the fly deeper and/or in swift moving currents.

Flashtail Clouser – Wet

Easy to tie, highly effective and very versatile, tie this pattern in sizes that range from a few inches up to 8 inches in length. You can change the color profile to match any particular baitfish that is prevalent to your favorite fishery or even in attractor color schemes.

Trout • Pike • Salmon • Smallmouth Bass • Bluegill • Largemouth Bass • Walleye • Steelhead

Flashtail Clouser Minnow Recipe

Hook: U555 Jig 6, or TFS 5440 1/0 – 6
Thread: Gray Uni 6/0
Tail: 50/50 mix of Mirage Opal/silver and Flashabou Pearl
Body: Hareline Polar Dub – White
Eyes: S.S. Bead Chain or painted dumbbell – sized accordingly
Belly: Sheep Hair/Sculpin Wool – White
Wing: Silver Fox Tail

Step 1. After wrapping a base layer of thread from behind the angled hook shank to above
the hook barb, tie eyes using figure-8 wraps, leaving room to tie in the belly and wing.
Some people prefer to add a drop of Zap-A-Gap to the wraps at this point (optional).

Step 2. Tie in the tail material so it extends backwards twice the length of the hook shank.

Step 3. Very loosely dub clumps of Polar Dub from the tail tie in area to just
behind the eyes. Pick out with scissor point or bodkin.

Step 4. Tie in a sparse clump of sheep hair behind the eyes so the tips extend halfway down the tail.
After secure, wind your thread between the eye and hook eye. Pull sheep hair over the eyes and tie down.

Step 5. On the opposite side of the white belly hair, tie in a clump of Silver Fox tail for
a wing that is slightly longer than the belly. Trim, tie off and apply two coats of head cement.

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blantons flashtail, clouser minnow, fly tying, pattern, recipe, smallmouth bass fly

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