OD Damsel DP
New fly boxes demand new flies. Not by merit of the box being new- but in the likely scenario that it’s a larger fly box and there’s more space for more flies. So let the fly tying begin!
In stalking Redhorse and Carp for the Texas Hill Country Mixed Bag Tourney– I’ve learned to tie a new fly for my casting arsenal.
Disclaimer- sharpshooters be warned; I suck at tying flies and as with many things in life I learn misguided. Or in cases of less failure- by the numbers, crawl, walk, run.
The intent here is to tie a fly both a Carp and a Redhorse are willing to take; dual purpose. For the clever- you now understand this jacked up hybrid fly’s nomenclature: OD Damsel-DP.
To be clear, I am a fan of neither Carp or Redhorse suckers. However, i personally believe fly tying adds a new dynamic to the full enjoyment of fly fishing. So if and when I catch a Carp or Redhorse on one of my own self tied flies- I’ll be proud I caught it on a OD Damsel-DP; size 16.
See you on the high ground,
AirboneAngler
Hatch
Purists- earmuffs! I believe there is more to fly selection than just matching the hatch. Some streamers I throw look nothing like any one fish prey alive. In fact most of them look like all the fish prey alive if they were morphed together into one. The end result is they look like nothing at all. But I don’t care- they catch fish. So do you have to match the hatch?
The principle at work is that they look close enough to resemble a food source- or even better, look “near-enough” to multiple food sources. Is being close enough to all fish food really matching the hatch though? It doesn’t matter- because what does matter is that it incites in fish a need to strike. Winning. That is the whole intent in match the hatch anyways.
We call this maneuver a feint in the Airborne. We pose or use deception to indicate one movement and when the enemy strikes- we have a different surprise waiting. In this case its a hook. But the point end of that barb is we have reached a decisive point in the fish fight. The hook is set! (Please crush your barbs.)
One thing that I do care about is preserving the art and skill of fly fishing and fly tying. I’m not taking the purist route here, but there is no significant skill in tying an egg pattern. But egg patterns you must admit do match the hatch. Fly fishing and fly tying is my chosen pursuit I hope I never perfect least it become boring. So I like to try new and or complex patterns. If I wanted to drop a worm on a hook I would do that and not a fly. Accept a challenge, tie a fly, stalk a fish, match a hatch (or not), and have some fun.
When out on the water I like to use what works balanced with something I made. Those are the most rewarding catches to me regardless if I matched the hatch or not. So it’s not all about matching the hatch. It’s about doing what makes you feel accomplished. That’s what I do, that’s why I fly.
See you on the high ground,
AirborneAngler
Today’s topic of Hatch is prompted by the Everyday in May challenge. For more info click here. For all AirborneAngler Everyday in May posts click here.
Tying
I like tying a fly for the first time. Maybe the second time or two after that trying to figure out how to get it right. The validation for doing it right comes when you get a fish to hand. After that-I hate having to reload. Somehow I want each fly to last forever. I mean there is a personal investment in time spent at that vise. It drives me monkey/cheetah flip crazy to lose a fly in less time than it took me to tie it. Every submerged branch or limb in the air stealing hours of my life- its just not right. It’s just not right. Of all the fish I tie for- I despise you only you tree fish. Only you.
Today’s topic of Tying is prompted by the Everyday in May challenge. For more info click here. For all AirborneAngler Everyday in May posts click here.
Field Fish
In lieu of being able to fish for lunch- opted for the next closest thing at hand. My pen and my field book- both literally at hand. I call it field fish for two reasons. Field expedient methods are often rough as is this sketch. I also drew this in a field book- reason number two. No real science to it but it just helped bridge the gap between fishing and not fishing. What’s your bridge?
This was the first fish I caught on my first self tied fly.
See you on the high ground,
AirborneAngler
It’s the Little Things
I’ve been wanting to draw a Parachute Adams for the whole Airborne theme I’ve got going on. Surprise right? But trying to get the photo for inspiration using an iPhone to shoot the picture was almost challenging. Shifting auto focus nearly got the best of me. Almost.
After a few shots and the steadiness of hand required to lay down and arm a trip wired claymore land mine, I got the shot I wanted. Or at least a shot could deal with anyways. As tough-guy as that may sound with explosives and all, the irony is the song that was playing in my head. As I was drawing this small fly instead of U2’s, “The Sweetest Things”, the cadence remix in my head ringing over and over was ‘its the little things’. All in the same tone. I know you can hear the chorus. Real macho right?
Anyways, sometimes it is the little things in life we take for granted. The smallest things can bring us such great joy. Just like a size 18 (I’m totally guessing because it’s not the size 6-10 streamers I throw a lot of) Parachute Adams can bring in a good sized trout. Who’d’ve thunk right? And that my friends is the sweetest thing.
See you on the high ground,
AirborneAngler
PS
Don’t judge. Ooh oh oh the sweetest things.
Crayfish FlyArt
Continuing to reach for pencil and paper this week I have drawn my first fly. For the critical eye of the expert fly tier all materials involved may have better substitutes.
However, I am a true believer of the old infantryism that claims ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.’. For me this crayfish pattern has worked. So while it works I will not soon fix it. (Maybe a tweak to flip the hook.)
Luckily, I still have the fly shown here- my first attempt at the vise. So much of fly fishing is becoming art for me. This little piece I would like to share with you.
See you on the high ground,
AirborneAngler
03/23/12 Follow Friday @TXFlyGeek
One of the biggest things I like about fly fishing is the fly fishing community. Not even in the service have I seen such a pay-it-forward collection of individuals. Everyone is so helpful and willing to share- be it knowledge, techniques, flies, and of course fish tales of fish tails. This week’s Airborne Angler one Follow Friday (Twitter #FF) recommendation is Matt Bennett, @TXFlyGeek of the Hill Country’s own Living Waters Fly Fishing shop.
So, what makes Matt stand out? I’m jealous of his official fish bum status. Too many days I find myself cranking away at a keyboard in my cubical foxhole wishing I was fishing- or if not fishing at least in a fly shop. I could spend my entire day in a store- and yes I’ve worked retail before, just surrounded by all things fly and enjoy myself. Ah, the dream life… or variant of it anyways. Well, as of the last couple weeks Matt has been living that dream and working at Living Waters Fly Fishing. One day out of the twit-world blue Matt says he’s giving his two weeks and heading for the fly shop. And I’ve been jealous ever since.
Aside from all that, Matt helped me get an azimuth in the twit-world and in fly fishing. Before I had rod or reel he was giving me info and tips to help me find an outfit that best suited me and my wallet. All via twitter too! Not to mention before I had rod or reel I didn’t have any followers either! But that was short lived after following Matt. After his advice and help I promised him he’d be first to know when I caught my first bass. That’s the pic header above.
Thanks again Matt.
See you on the high ground,
AirborneAngler
Follow Matt on twitter at @TXFlyGeek.
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