Tradd’s Sowbug

With the Sowbug Roundup recently happening, Tradd Little timed this one perfectly. Here he shows us how to tie his sowbug fly pattern.

Recipe:
Hook: #14 Partridge Czech Nymph
Thread: Uni 8/0 (White)
Underbody: 0.03 Lead Free Wire
Tail: Coq De Leon
Shellback: 1/4″ Hareline Scud Back (Clear)
Dubbing: Wapsi Sow-Scud (Dark Sowbug)
Ribbing and Antennae: Umpqua 6X Fluoro Tippet

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Lil’ Kim Streamer – Bye Bye Woolly Bugger

Brian Wise explains how to tie the Lil Kim streamer in this fly tying video. Once you see this one, you may throw the Woolly Buggers out the window!

Recipe:
Hook – Montana Fly Company 7050 1/0
Cone – Rainbow Brass Cones
Tail – Marabou
Body – Polar Chenille
Wing – Marabou
Collar – Schlappen

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Korn’s Green Lantern

Doug Korn came up with this nymph inspired by the late Al Campbell’s SHWAPF (swept hackle wingless all purpose fly) and the Tellico  nymph of the Great Smokie Mountains. According to Doug, he began fishing it in about 2002.

I’m not a huge nymph fan, but this fly caught my eye right away because of the green color that Doug used and the name of course. Doug said this is a caddis pupa imitation and it has been very effective for him. He mentioned that he almost hated to let other people know about it. Below Doug describes how to tie his Green Lantern in a step-by-step.

Recipe:
Hook: vintage Mustad Limerick #16 std. wet fly or current Mustad 9063
Thread: Serafil tan 200/2 or Uni-8/0
Bead: 11/0 green glass seed bead
Rib: small copper wire
Tail/shuck, Shellback and Wing: red fox squirrel tail tied in by the tips, divided 1/3 for tail, 2/3’s for shellback and wing
Body and Collar: DK#28 Green Lantern dubbing or bright emerald green dubbing of choice

Step 1. Place a hook with a bead in the vise.
Step 2. Start thread at bead. Tie in copper wire at the eye with wraps back to the bend of the hook.
Step 3. Cut a clump of red fox squirrel tail.
Step 4. Pull out the short hairs and trim the tips even. Tie them in by the tips at the bend of the hooks with wraps forward to one bead width behind eye.  Note: It’s important to leave this gap.
Step 5. Wind thread back to hook point position and dub the thread.
Step 6. Wrap noodle from bend to one hook eye gap behind bead.
Step 7. Wind copper wire forward, first behind dubbing at the rear of hook over squirrel tail then forward in evenly spaced open turns.  Ending with a few tight turns behind the head.  Tie off and break off wire.
Step 8. Bring 2/3’s of squirrel tail forward to bead and wrap down in gap behind the bead spreading tail fibers in fan shape to form wing as shown.
Step 9. Trim tail/shuck to body length. Then fold back wing with a few tight wraps with thread winding up right behind the bead.
Step 10. Dub short noodle for collar.
Step 11. Wind collar and whip finish right behind the bead.
Step 11. Wind collar and whip finish right behind the bead.
Top View
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Tying the Clouser Minnow with Bob Clouser

Bob Clouser demonstrating how to tie his famous Clouser Minnow. This is a streamer that has caught many species of fish. I have even tied this in a very small size and used it to catch crappie. Obviously, it is a very effective fly. Of course don’t hesitate to experiment with other colors.

The recipe below specifies the Mustad 34007 hook, but I would encourage you to try the Ahrex SA210 Bob Clouser Signature Hook. It’s a wonderful hook that I use for other streamers as well.

Recipe:
Hook: Mustad 34007 saltwater hook, sizes 1/0 through 8.
Thread: White Danville Flat-Waxed, 6/0 or 3/0.
Eyes: Dumbell eyes (size to match hook).
Belly: Chartreuse bucktail.
Flash: Gold Krystal Flash.
Back: Yellow bucktail.
Head: Tying thread.
Head coating: UV-Resin (Bob uses Solarez in the video)

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Stew’s Killer Marabou

Super simple pattern that should catch fish like crazy. I would put this under the moniker, Guide Fly. Tie a few up and see how they do for you. Originated by Stew Stewart of California.

Matt O’Neal of Savage Flies shows you how to tie it. Enjoy!

Recipe:
Hook: #10 1x long wet fly
Thread: Black
Rib: Small wire
Tail: Marabou, your choice of color
Body: Marabou tail piece, twisted and wrapped
Wing: Marabou, your choice of color
Head: Peacock herl

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Beginners Klinkhamer with Barry Ord Clarke

Barry did a series for beginner’s including this Klinkhamer a few years ago. It included this Klinkhamer fly. See the recipe for the fly pattern below. Also, this is a very nice Klinkhamer style fly that is tied by experts as well.

“Here I am showing techniques that may look challenging, but are totally achievable with a little patience and practice. I have slowed down the tying and explain every step in detail. Good luck!” -Barry Ord Clarke

Recipe:
Hook: Standard emerger # 6-16
Tying thread: Olive
Post/wing: White Para Post
Body: Olive Super fine dubbing
Hackle: Silver badger
Thorax: Peacock herl

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The Mission – Issue 44

The latest issue of the The Mission digital fly fishing magazine is available.

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Scott Biron Fly Tying

I’ve admired Scott Biron’s fly tying for a long time. He primiraly ties Rangeley Streamers, but dabbles in other styles as well. They recently did a brief news video about him, so I thought it would be a good time to post about Scott’s tying. You can follow Scott on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/scottbiron/

My version of Carrie Stevens Supervisor streamer. The pattern was originated by Joseph Stickney of Maine. Tracing this flies history is fascinating as it has gone through a few changes. Originally it was tied with very pale colored feathers. Over time those colors became more vibrant. It would be very interesting to see which pattern is more effective. Tied using Ewingfeatherbirds saddles, Partridge G3AL 4/#6 and using my HMH TRV.

Fourth of July Streamer a Mike Martinek fly. Fun fly to tie and post. Tied on a Partridge Heritage Streamer Hook using Ewing Signature Series saddles. Ties using an HMH TRV.

Chief’s Ice Out one of my patterns inspired by the crew I had in class Saturday at Selene’s of Maines Fly Shop. They were a great group. Tied with Ewingfeatherbirds saddles the inner wings are light dun the outer is smokey grizzly. The shoulder is a real cool light gray guinea. Tied on a Partridge CS5 9X and on my HMH TRV.

Carrie Stevens Tomahawk Streamer. This is a very productive fly in the summer and in the fall. The peacock body feathers add some unique colors to this fly when it gets wet. Tied using Ewingfeatherbirds saddles and on a 2/0 Partridge Carrie Stevens hook 10x. Very strong Limerick Bend hook. Tied using my HMH TRV.

This fly pattern is one of several named Sunapee. Often tied as a tandem, here tied as a single. The wing is a light brown, however I’ve seen it tied with medium brown and a very light bronze color. I’ve been doing some research on the history of some of the older fly patterns used on the lake and many have this wing color.
Tied on a Partridge Heritage Streamer Hook #2 9X using Ewing Scott Biron Signature Series Saddles.

Orange Mother Streamer a Malcom Gidley pattern. Every once in a while you need something to shake things up. Tied on a Sprite S1800 #6 these are 4x long 1 x heavy hooks that can handle rough duty and are very very sharp. Tied with Ewingfeatherbirds yellow hen.

One Eyed Poacher a Bob Upham pattern tied on a Sprite #4 4X long S1800. A great early season casting salmon fly.

Allagash Lake Streamer Tandem. Often tied as a casting streamer on a 7 or 9x Hook. This tandem will be used this spring for large brook trout. Tied with Partridge Wet Fly Hooks #4 & #6 and using some of the Partridge Pro Rig Beads. These are excellent for tandems.

Water Witch a excellent Carrie Stevens pattern to fish with. Had loads of positive feedback from anglers using this pattern. Tied on a Partridge Heritage Streamer Hook using Ewingfeatherbirds saddles.

Chief Needahbeh Fly chief was a Penobscot and was the proprietor of Needahbeh’s Shack, a tackle shop at Moosehead Lake in Greenville, Maine. A Native American, he was also known as Chief Roland Nelson. Friendly with Ted Williams and as far as I can tell the late former game warden from NH Jessie Scott. This fly often stirs the fish up and is great for all species. Tied here using Ewingfeatherbirds saddles and a Partridge Heritage Streamer Hook.

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Popovics’ BEAST Fleye

The legend himself, Bob Popovics, shows how to tie his BEAST Fleye.

By the way, if you have not purchased his book, Fleye Design: Techniques, Insights, Patterns, I encourage you do so, especially if you enjoy tying streamers. Bob includes details on his other fly patterns, special techniques he uses and some valuable insights.

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Dirty Hippy by Charlie Craven

This is a streamer created by Charlie. He first posted about it back in 2019. But here is what Charlie said when he posted.

“Here is my latest streamer pattern: Craven’s Dirty Hippy. I first started developing this fly after a trip to the Missouri River in Craig, Montana. It was on this trip that I started to appreciate streamer patterns that went a little beyond the usual Wooly Bugger variations and branched into more sparsely tied realistic small fish profiles. To that end, I promptly started playing with streamer patterns of this ilk upon my return home and the final result is now known as the Dirty Hippy. The name is garnered from my new wife, a tree huggin’, liberal-minded not-really-so-dirty Dirty Hippy. She’s turned out to be good for my conservative side and the fly has turned out to be good for my soul…tie some up and see what it does for you.”

RECIPE:
Hook: #4 TMC 5263
Thread: 3/0 Tan Danville Monocord
Cone: Large Copper Brass Cone
Weight : .025 Lead Wire
Flash: Gold, Copper & Pearl Flashabou
Belly: Cream Temple or Arctic Fox Body Fur
Wing: Tan Marabou
Collar: Bonefish Tan Artic Fox
Face: UV Tan Ice Dubbing
Eyes: 3/16″ Gold Adhesive Holographic Eyes
Adhesive: Tear Mender
Marker Barring: Sepia & Orange Prismacolor Marker

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