Ever Learnin' To Become One With The Fish - Part II

The tale of my first year’s journey fly fishing continues as part II in this column about my learning to tie flies. As I describe the phases I went through, I would hope that you will be encouraged to tie your own flies and experience the joy of catching fish on a fly you’ve tied. Perhaps a fly that you developed and modified to your own liking; one that trout also find intriguing enough to bite. The first time it happened to me on a trout stream I was stunned, in awe, and humbled by the happening.

While on the DVWFFA trip to the Little Juanita, Dee Lehman told me she learned to differentiate between the myriad of flies by learning to tie her own. She said you won’t forget the different types when you tie the flies yourself. Truthfully, when I saw the myriad of flies that Dee and also Donna Trexler had in their fly boxes… Well, I was just impressed beyond words. They not only tied the flies, they could identify all of them as well as relate neat, fish-catching stories. And, I also found it mind boggling to recall all the different types: saltwater flies, salmon flies, freshwater flies, nymphs, streamers, dry fly, wet fly, with hackle, without hackle, parachute, no parachute, bead head, cone head, poppers, bass flies and the list goes on. The list of fascinating materials used to tie these delectable feathered fantasies may also be mind boggling, but it is fun to handle the different layers of material when you tie flies.

FOR STARTERS:

Check out several fly fishing shops in your locale and find personnel that are helpful and thoroughly knowledgeable about fly tying. It is important we support this treasure trove of information with our fly fishing business lest we all lose the intangible gifts they offer. Fly shop staffs willingly share their knowledge, experience, and offer encouragement and guidance, and the ambiance of a welcoming friend.

It’s amazing, you will continually learn new fly tying tidbits from a variety of flytyers. There are mentors out there for you as well—just look around, I haven’t found a flytyer who isn’t willing to share flies, materials and hints they’ve learned, myself included. Ask and you will find out. Look for fly tying seminars, such as Floyd Franke, a flytyer with over 40 national and international awards for his fly tying expertise, a great instructor featured at the IWFF 2004 Fly Fishing Festival. Local fly shops often offer fly tying demonstrations or classes at their shop. 

Check out vise models, features and prices in available fly-tying catalogues like “Feather-Craft Fly Fishing.” WWW.FEATHER-CRAFT.COM Check out the vises, each brand has its own features. Sometimes, the simpler the better. Most fly shops carry one or more brands of vises. Some vises handle the small hooks for fresh water fishing as well the large salt water hooks; know their capabilities. Fly shops are more than willing to address your individual needs and offer options that meet your budget.

You may be able to borrow or even purchase a used vise at very reasonable prices. Ask the fly shop personnel what the discount is for a display model. Even if used, most often, the items have had moderate use and can last a lifetime or two.

To my surprise, I learned that although I am left handed with writing and other tasks; I am right handed in casting the fly rod and throwing a ball. Well, as it turns out, I learned that I am more at ease tying flies if I tie as a left-handed person. This means the eye of the hook in the vise is pointed towards my left hand. This is a bonus when sitting opposite a right-handed fly tying instructor. I see the fly being made as I view the hook in my vise when I tie the fly. Thanks to an adroit fly shop personnel who took me thru the steps to find my dominant side in this task, I purchased a left-handed, Renzetti 4000 Presentation series table vise for half price. The previous customer who placed the order decided on another purchase. 

Take some fly tying classes. In my locale there are two different community programs during the winter. One eight week session is headed by a member of Cumberland Valley Trout Unlimited. The other eight week session is conducted by the Carlisle Fish and Game Association which offers an earlier starting time and materials for children learning to tie or new adult flytyers like myself. Both sessions are taught by professional flytyers. The two programs offer instructions for tying different flies which is a real bonus, so even if there is duplication, you always learn something new. There are no fees associated with either program; however, participants are responsible for providing their own materials. 

Take good notes because these tyers show you successful techniques that are not even in the books—just tried and true experience. And, believe me, if you don’t write it down and keep a plastic bag of the materials used and the hook size, one week can meld into the next and leave you confused.

I attended a fresh-water fly tying program taught by Bob Clouser at Clouser’s Fly Shop in Middletown, PA. A fee was charged for each of the twelve two hour sessions. All the materials were provided including sufficient materials to do another batch of flies at home. Bob Clouser is responsible for developing the world renowned Clouser Deep Minnow used for saltwater and freshwater fly fishing. He’s an experienced guide and knowledgeable fly fisher who shares his knowledge willingly and in a helpful manner. Bob generously supports the cause of women fly fishing, speaks highly of the DVWFFA. He’s been known to praise the DVWFFA newsletter for the meaningful fishing information it provides and the wide variety of DVWFFA fishing trips for its members. Just an aside: I’ve caught a number of fish off the surf on Clouser minnows I’ve tied: flounder, blue fish, speckled trout and a stargazer. What a dynamite fly. www.clouserflyfishing.com Some say, if it isn’t chartreuse, it’s no use. 

Look in your own locale, most fly shops offer fly tying demonstrations in the Fall or even, a series of classes with materials provided for a nominal fee.

Check out the internet for other fly tying expertise. Some websites offer excellent photographs of flies and accompanying instructions. For starters, you might want to try www.flyfishsaltwaters.com . Also, there is a recent website that’s been released for those interested in fly fishing and fly tying both in fresh water streams and saltwater. The site offers technical information on a user friendly platform for the newcomer as well as the experienced fly fisher: www.docsflies.com. There are many more websites, you just have to find those that offer you the information you need or easily link you to other sites like our own www.dvwffa.org. 

HELPFUL RESOURCES AND PRODUCTS:

1. The monthly Mid Atlantic Fly Fishing Guide covers fishing in seven states and has a fly tying column. The periodical is available free through your local fly shop. This is an excellent resource filled with fly fishing information from renowned fly fishers and includes the flies of choice listed by locales for the entire month of fishing.

2. Other excellent fly tying books include Universal Fly Tying Guide by Dick Stewart, and the spiral bound copy, Fly Tying Made Clear and Simple by Skip Morris provides helpful information in an organized and succinct manner. Insect books include: Naturals by Gary A. Borger with excellent detailed illustrations; and a great beginner book Science Nature Guide: Insects (Thunder Bay Press) ISBN 1-57145-017-3. 

3. Ollie’s Discount Store often sells some great books about fly fishing, fly tying, and knot-tying at unbelievably low prices. 

4. Target Store purchase: a canvas cosmetic bag with lots of compartments for keeping the fly tying vise, tools, threads, and materials can be purchased for under $15.00 and found in the luggage department. This is a great value when comparing it with similar fly tying cases for $75.00 to $149.00; it makes getting ready for a fly tying class effortless. Susan Proulx’s tip.

5. Dick’s Sporting Goods Store purchase: a Travel Logic canvas bag with multiple pockets and plastic fly boxes. It holds my fly tying materials without mixing together my threads, dubbing, hooks, bead heads, feathers, deer hair, and Flashabou to name a few of the materials one begins to collect as they expand the number of different flies to be tied. Kathleen Baker’s tip.

6. Staples Store purchase: storage cabinets of clear plastic with wheels to separate my freshwater materials from my saltwater materials. I labeled the multiple small drawers according to materials. They were half- price to boot; wait for the sale at Office Max or Staples. It makes fly tying an easier task and keeps my stuff organized.

7. Wal-Mart purchase: a little, hand sized, spiral Mead tablet to remind myself of each fishing event, the date, weather/stream conditions, flies I used successfully and not. And a second Mead tablet to record my notes during fly tying classes or any time I learned a new tying tip. Fits conveniently in my handbag;

8. Wal-Mart purchase: a Five Star plastic file folder with several internal compartments that I labeled to hold all the information and pertinent emails I’ve collected on an upcoming trip or new fishing hole I plan to visit. 

9. Wal-Mart purchase: a photo album with a notation section identifying the streams I’ve fished and often with the DVWFFA members smiling broadly. I find it helpful to review the stream pictures and my notations as I become more adept at reading the waters. It gives me such a sense of peace to see the stream, water riffles, and deep holes and to revisit the good memories. One year later, I can better understand the different waters and the presentations required to fish them successfully. Understand, I don’t have that ability but I am certainly enjoying the learning curve and those wonderful “Eureka” moments when I do understand and can connect; 

10. Took advantage of a complimentary one year membership and subscription to the informative Trout Unlimited magazine with the purchase of a fly rod from the R. L Winston Rod Company. 

11. Often attended meetings of our local chapter, the Cumberland Valley T.U., with Eileen Baltz, to learn about local stream analysis while meeting other folks who actively care about streams and conduct an annual summer camp introducing teenage youngsters to fly fishing and fly tying;

12. Contacted local colleges to inquire about an Aquatic Biology class for local flyfishers. Two retired Shippensburg Professors of Biology and Entomology offered to conduct three sessions held at streamside for eight of us at a very nominal fee. What an experience to actually wade in, turn over rocks and be able to find caddis casings, and identify other aquatic creatures on our local streams. Just to observe their mobility and how these creatures move their bodies was an insight into their growth stages and how flies need to be tied and fished. 

This sparked my interest in tying flies with realistic features, like mimicking the fluttering gills of the mayfly, Stenonema. Learning the Latin names for these new found creatures was a thrill even though I will have to return often to the book to remember all the creatures we found on the streams. It was good to learn that the streams were in a healthy condition for trout because of the aquatic variety we found. Plaudits to the Professors, Richard Wahl and Fred Howard!! Dr. Howard recommended highly a book entitled, “Nymphs” by Ernest Schwiebert that contains precise drawings and sidebars on optimizing fly fishing. Schwiebert also authored, “Matching the Hatch”. 

About the fly tying classes: You learn how to fish the fly, and where to fish it. It’s a whole new set of skills about material handling and methods along with great fishing stories from the instructor as well as the attendees—such bonding, what a high! 

This Fall, I returned for a second year of fly tying classes. With increased practice, I’m seeing improvement and that’s encouraging. You will learn that in your own community there are many proficient and professional fly tyers. To name a few in our area: Tom Baltz of ANGLING ADVENTURES, a professional fly tyer, writer, guiding instructor and husband of DVWFFA member, Eileen Baltz. Ed Shenk, fly fishing expert on the famous LeTort, author of Fly Rod Trouting, and creator of numerous flies like the LeTort hopper and cricket and Shenk’s Sculpin and Minnow series. Don Holbrook, coauthor with Ed Koch of a fly tying book entitled, Midge Magic. Tom, Ed, and Don volunteer their time to teach others fly tying through the community programs I mentioned. These are dedicated individuals who share their knowledge so others can find joy in fly fishing and tying. You will develop a list of such enthusiasts in your area. That’s what makes such humankind and fly fishing an extraordinary experience. 
And so it is, just another layer of the Vidalia onion peeled; ever learnin’ to be one with the fish. This is a journey and I am so glad you and I are enjoying the venues along the way. 

--Diane M. Dougherty--
Spring 2005 Issue