Happy Fathers Day!!!

I want to wish all the fathers a Happy Father's Day. I am eternally grateful for my dad and the values he has installed in me. A guy couldn't ask for a better father.  Love You Dad...

Getting Ready for a Blizzard of Ephrons!!!

The weather here turned to rain today, so back to tying. Originally I had planned on tying up a bunch of Hexagenia but for some reason I didn't restock my hook supply. Luckily, during my trip to Atlanta, one of my vendors gave me an Array Gift Card. I was wondering what to spend it on. Looks like I will be spending it on supplies at Cabelas! I had to take a quick inventory to see what else I needed. It sure didn't take long to spend that $25…the hooks should be here in a few days. Just in time for me to stock up for the Hex hatch in early July.

Well, since I didn't have the hooks for the Hex, I might as well start stocking up for the Ephron hatch in August. This is one of my favorite hatches here in Michigan. When the white flies are really popping, it actually looks like a blizzard. The only problem is there are so many flies on the water it is hard to follow which fly is yours among the naturals. Hopefully I will get some good pictures of a blizzard hatch this year. If I do, I will definitely post them for everybody to see. An added bonus to this hatch is that it gets the small mouths looking up and taking flies on the surface. GOOD TIMES!!!!

This pattern is an adaptation of Bear's CDC Ephron created by Bear Andrews. Personally I prefer the Z-lon wing post since I can see it easier on the water at dusk.

Ephron Parachute

Ephron Parachute

Hook: Mustad 94840 #10-12

Thread: Uni 8/0 White

Tail: Two Piccary Hair Fibers

Body: White Deer Hair

Rib: Tying Thread

Thorax: White Dubbing

Wing: White Z-lon 

Hackle: White Hackle Tied Parachute Style

Step One

Start Thread

Step Two

Tie in Piccary Hair. Be sure to wind thread back to 1/3 point. This is where you will start tying in the deer hair body.

Step Three

Tie in a clump of stacked deer hair. Start from 1/3 point and wrap towards the bend of the hook leaving the tips to flair slightly. Then warp forwards creating a crisscross rib.

Step Four

Tie in Z-Lon Wing Post

Step Five

Apply Dubbing to Thread and Wrap to Wing Post

Step Six

Tie in Hackle in Front of Wing Post

Step Seven

Apply a Little More Dubbing to Thread and Wrap To Hook Eye

Step Eight

Wrap Hackle Around Wing Post and Whip Finish.

Fire 'Em Up

One thing about having a very crafty wife is that I end up spending way too much time in either Jo Ann's or Michael's -- today was no exception! First, she tells me that she is looking for some notebooks for a project and that she needed to go to Staples. Of course, I wanted to go with her since I actually like going to Staples. On the way to Staples, she springs on me that she also wants to go to Michael's. It seems like whenever we go anyplace, we end up at Michael's. It's pretty bad that I know where just about anything is in the store without having to think about it! While she was looking for paper and other things, I did my normal routine and wandered around the store looking like a lost puppy and looking for things I could use for fly tying. I did need some black foam, so I picked up a sheet. I cannot believe they sell a 12"x18" sheet of craft foam for $.88! This will last me for a few years or maybe more! Why would anybody buy foam at a fly shop? After grabbing my foam I wandered over to the embroidery section. Instantly my attention was drawn to the section of fluorescent floss where this yellow material jumped out at me. Instantly I thought about how it would make great butts for Fireflies.

As a kid I loved catching fireflies and of course my daughters did the same. Here at my house we have them all over the place during the summer. Every time I see them they make me feel like a kid again. Besides being endless entertainment for the younger generation, they also provide food for fish of all kind. So why not use some of the materials I picked up today and tie up a few fireflies? Here is what I came up with…let's see how well they work this summer.

Firefly

Under side

Firefly

Hook: Mustad 94840 #10

Thread: Uni 8/0 Black

Shell Back: Black Craft Foam 1/4" Wide

Butt: Fluorescence Effects E980 

Thorax: Peacock Herl

Head: Orange Dubbing

Step One

Start Thread

Step Two

Tie in Foam at Hook Bend

Step Three

Tie in Floss at 1/3 Hook Length

Step Four

Wrap Floss Back to Hook Bend and Forward to Tie In Point

Step Five

Tie in Three Strands of Peacock Herl

Step Six

Wrap Peacock Herl to 2/3 Hook Length

Step Seven

Bring Foam Forward and Tie in at Front of Peacock Herl

Step Eight

Apply Orange Dubbing and Create a Small Head.

Step Nine

Whip Finish.

OH Deer They're Annoying

I swear Michigan has the strangest weather. It seems every weekend when I have had the opportunity to head north to do a little fishing, the weather has not cooperated. Personally, if I am going to head north fishing and camping, I do not want to be cold and wet. Hopefully the weather will turn a little nicer so I can get some fishing in soon…all I have right now is memories!

For some reason, earlier today I was remembering some of my excursions to the South Branch of the Au Sable River. There are certain stretches of the river where the deer flies seem to be particularly annoying. Why do they have to keep buzzing around your head non-stop? One time I had one that would not stop buzzing around my ears and in front of my glasses. I kept swatting at that little bugger and he kept getting closer and closer until finally I accidentally caught my glasses with one of my swats at him. Those glasses must have flown at least five feet before they hit the water and sank. Let’s just say I am as blind as a bat without my glasses, and this was long before I started wearing contacts, so I was in a little trouble! I desperately searched the river looking for my glasses, hoping I didn't step on them during my search. Thankfully, after about 10 minutes of searching, I finally saw a glare off the lenses and found them. I cannot imagine what would have happened if I hadn't found them. The two hour drive home would not have been fun -- this year I will be trying some Deer Fly Patches to see if they help. My fingers are crossed.

Since I know the weather will eventually make a turn in my favor, I better tie up a few deer flies to put in the box for when those annoying bastards are around. Here is a classic deer fly pattern that has been around for a long time here in Michigan.

Deer Fly

Deer Fly

Hook: Mustad 94840 #12

Thread: Uni 8/0 Black 

Body: Peacock Herl

Wings: Grizzly Hen Hackle Tips, tied down wing, delta style.

Hackle: Grizzly Hackle

Step One

Start thread and tie in four Peacock Herl strands

Step Two

Wrap Peacock Herl Forward to 3/4 Hook Length

Step Three

Measure the hen hackle feathers and tie in down wing delta style. (I find it easier to tie in each individual feather and pull them forward by the stem to straighten and flatten them.)

Step Four

Tie in two grizzly hackle feathers

Step Five

Wrap hackle feathers forward, tie off and whip finish.