Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum

Fishing in British Columbia => Fly Fishing Cafe => Topic started by: Blackgivesway2blue on January 15, 2012, 08:39:26 AM

Title: what have you guys been tying?
Post by: Blackgivesway2blue on January 15, 2012, 08:39:26 AM

me, i have not stopped tying, i have filled up a few box's already this winter, been tying everything from small trout flies, to big steelhead fly's.

(http://i991.photobucket.com/albums/af34/Blackgivesway2blue/390259_2675005386989_1011830415_32249819_246112349_n.jpg)
Woolly bugger box
(http://i991.photobucket.com/albums/af34/Blackgivesway2blue/405391_2679936550265_1011830415_32251946_1923655158_n.jpg)
Soft hackles
(http://i991.photobucket.com/albums/af34/Blackgivesway2blue/381034_2536203677033_1011830415_32184428_1474259531_n.jpg)
Mickey and Kelsey box
(http://i991.photobucket.com/albums/af34/Blackgivesway2blue/385109_2536207557130_1011830415_32184429_1174597795_n.jpg)
Steelhead box
(http://i991.photobucket.com/albums/af34/Blackgivesway2blue/388768_2536201436977_1011830415_32184426_1689246868_n.jpg)
Nymph box
(http://i991.photobucket.com/albums/af34/Blackgivesway2blue/397110_2679948390561_1011830415_32251952_369049021_n.jpg)
Foam Damsels and beaded mico leech's

i still gotta dry fly box i have to fill up now, cheers guys, austyn :)

Title: Re: what have you guys been tying?
Post by: HOOK on January 15, 2012, 09:45:36 AM

where are you planning on fishing those steelhead foam skater flies  ;)

your flies are looking pretty good. I need to take pics to show what i have been tying and subsequently fishing

Title: Re: what have you guys been tying?
Post by: Blackgivesway2blue on January 15, 2012, 09:53:22 AM

those were just something i was messing with, they got a thick hackle like body on them, when i was tying those i was trying to tie something that was like a general practioner, but with foam, so when its down deep its got an irreatical action to it. would presume they would work great for chum as well.  ;)

more picutres in the buy and sell section ;)

Title: Re: what have you guys been tying?
Post by: dereke on January 16, 2012, 04:26:38 PM

Chironomids, damsels, leeches,and  dragons. Some pheasant tails as well. Get the boxes loaded for spring....

Title: Re: what have you guys been tying?
Post by: Clarki Hunter on January 16, 2012, 09:31:27 PM

Wasn't it just last year you took a lesson from RickP?  Very impressive!  :)

Title: Re: what have you guys been tying?
Post by: Blackgivesway2blue on January 16, 2012, 10:02:57 PM

haha , 2 years this month  :) , with only a year of tying  ;)

Title: Re: what have you guys been tying?
Post by: Matt on January 17, 2012, 08:39:22 PM

(http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/406773_759725677716_122505749_37715633_1253230494_n.jpg)

Title: Re: what have you guys been tying?
Post by: Blackgivesway2blue on January 18, 2012, 08:51:54 PM

was messing around at the vice tonight, came up with this, thinking low water steel, summer runs, smaller size's for cutthroat, nice looking attractor pattern i think ;) was tied on a size 4
(http://i991.photobucket.com/albums/af34/Blackgivesway2blue/Picture013.jpg)

Title: Re: what have you guys been tying?
Post by: HOOK on January 19, 2012, 01:12:23 AM

you know what that sort of looks like ??

a chironomid called "the Brassie" except you have added a throat and wing to it which turns it into a nice small swinging fly. Nice fly !

Title: Re: what have you guys been tying?
Post by: Blackgivesway2blue on January 19, 2012, 07:24:36 AM

it does, good eye ;) finally figured out how to get good pictures with the camera ahah, ill have some more pictures up tonight  :)

Title: Re: what have you guys been tying?
Post by: HOOK on January 19, 2012, 11:55:10 AM

here is just a tidbit of what i have been tying and fishing for Steelhead this year

(http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a80/Flaming_Hook/2012-01-19114505.jpg)


I have been fishing these color combos in smaller sizes also but tied more like a large wooly bugger on a 2/0 Mustad 34007 salmon hook. the ones above are a little more like a moal leech but tied differently and with a trailer hook on a wire trailing loop to keep it in place so the rabbit and hook dont wrap each other.

Title: Re: what have you guys been tying?
Post by: Blackgivesway2blue on January 19, 2012, 04:46:38 PM

those are some nice patterns james, love the green beads, and how they contrast with the rest of the body.

here are some more ties, trout and salmon ties.

(http://i991.photobucket.com/albums/af34/Blackgivesway2blue/Picture002.jpg)
Chironomid (inspired by brian chan)

(http://i991.photobucket.com/albums/af34/Blackgivesway2blue/Picture001.jpg)
Baby damsel pattern

(http://i991.photobucket.com/albums/af34/Blackgivesway2blue/Picture004.jpg)
Mickey Finn

(http://i991.photobucket.com/albums/af34/Blackgivesway2blue/Picture003.jpg)
Kelsey's Hope

Title: Re: what have you guys been tying?
Post by: gilbey on January 19, 2012, 06:30:20 PM

Quote from: HOOK on January 19, 2012, 11:55:10 AM

here is just a tidbit of what i have been tying and fishing for Steelhead this year

(http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a80/Flaming_Hook/2012-01-19114505.jpg)


I have been fishing these color combos in smaller sizes also but tied more like a large wooly bugger on a 2/0 Mustad 34007 salmon hook. the ones above are a little more like a moal leech but tied differently and with a trailer hook on a wire trailing loop to keep it in place so the rabbit and hook dont wrap each other.

Title: Re: what have you guys been tying?
Post by: gilbey on January 19, 2012, 06:33:08 PM

   Hook,
   What type of wire are you using for your trailer hooks?

Title: Re: what have you guys been tying?
Post by: HOOK on January 20, 2012, 12:57:28 AM

if your rich you can use the Rio bite tippet 20lb at $1 per foot  :o this stuff is a knotable wire that is .018 thick

I went to Michaels craft store and found some wire that is very similar in its makeup, not quite as soft as the Rio stuff but i rather it be a bit stiffer. I bought the diameter that was closest to the Rio stuff. I think the craft wire is actually stronger honestly.

the wire MUST have the clear plastic coating or coloured if you so desire but make sure its coated wire. brand name i have is Beadalon if i remember right (cant go look at the moment cause wife is asleep)

I would say .015 - .018 is going to be plenty strong enough especially because its doubled over.

TIP - put the hook onto the wire before tying it on otherwise the hook will ride sideways

Title: Re: what have you guys been tying?
Post by: Matt on January 21, 2012, 06:06:03 PM

Quote from: HOOK on January 20, 2012, 12:57:28 AM

if your rich you can use the Rio bite tippet 20lb at $1 per foot  :o this stuff is a knotable wire that is .018 thick

I went to Michaels craft store and found some wire that is very similar in its makeup, not quite as soft as the Rio stuff but i rather it be a bit stiffer. I bought the diameter that was closest to the Rio stuff. I think the craft wire is actually stronger honestly.

the wire MUST have the clear plastic coating or coloured if you so desire but make sure its coated wire. brand name i have is Beadalon if i remember right (cant go look at the moment cause wife is asleep)

I would say .015 - .018 is going to be plenty strong enough especially because its doubled over.

TIP - put the hook onto the wire before tying it on otherwise the hook will ride sideways

I've used knotable braided wire, and I didn't like it much at all.  It kinked badly and then the hook would hand all wonky.  I'm now using 55lbs slickshooter or 30lbs Big Game... basically any 30lbs+ mono, its working much better for me.

Title: Re: what have you guys been tying?
Post by: HOOK on January 22, 2012, 12:35:18 AM

I have tried mono but if you dont get it to sit just perfectly your hook rides flopped to the side. I also have a large bunch of 50 or whatever pound braid which I like using for certain stuff like MOAL leeches for example but on these they will just tangle, I know because i tied one and the hook and tail tangled way more than i cared for. We all have our things we like now dont we, if the wire gets bent and i cant straighten it i will just toss the fly because they are cheap to tie more and these take about 10mins from start to finish.

Title: Re: what have you guys been tying?
Post by: Bassonator on January 23, 2012, 07:55:42 AM

Hook you have any probs with the beads covering part of the hook eye, maybe go a size smaller, awesome tie BTW.

Title: Re: what have you guys been tying?
Post by: HOOK on January 23, 2012, 11:32:25 AM

i use a 1/4" sized bead and i put the bead on in reverse so the big hole faces the eye and i still have 3/4 or more of the hooks eye useable which is more then enough for tying a leader onto. putting the bead on reverse allows for using less thread to get it to stay put and i can tie right up to it without the material going under it and taking away the materials movement slightly. Try it you will like it, the 1/4beads will work just as good on 1/0 hooks but make sure they are straight eyed hooks because upturned eyed salmon hooks usually have looped back eyes which suck for using beads.


the flies posted here are tied on 1/0 mustad salmon hooks (older stainless ones) and then cut off so its just the shank with a trailer hook. you can see that the bead covers a very tiny area of the hook eye but there is lots left to tie onto

Title: Re: what have you guys been tying?
Post by: Matt on January 23, 2012, 07:09:23 PM

Quote from: HOOK on January 22, 2012, 12:35:18 AM

I have tried mono but if you dont get it to sit just perfectly your hook rides flopped to the side. I also have a large bunch of 50 or whatever pound braid which I like using for certain stuff like MOAL leeches for example but on these they will just tangle, I know because i tied one and the hook and tail tangled way more than i cared for. We all have our things we like now dont we, if the wire gets bent and i cant straighten it i will just toss the fly because they are cheap to tie more and these take about 10mins from start to finish.

If the monos not stiff enough, use thicker mono like 50lbs Slickshooter from Rio, though 30lbs Big Game is enough whenever I've not had Slickshooter handy.  Burn the tips so that the mono has something to keep it from slipping.  You can use a lighter or boiling water to "tune" the stinger hook to sit in the right spot.  Its important that its vertical, be it up or down- my landing ratio seemed significantly lower when fishing a sideways hook.

Title: Re: what have you guys been tying?
Post by: Sandman on January 23, 2012, 08:52:08 PM

I have experimented with a few options (have not tried wire yet), and I am currently using a heavy mono.  I am tying them point up, but until I have a fish actually bite one I cannot say if it is better than down.

Title: Re: what have you guys been tying?
Post by: HOOK on January 24, 2012, 01:07:38 AM

Matt so far i have braid(60lb fireline), heavy mono(30lb), running line (slickshooter) and wire to use for trailer loop material. I dont like the mono because it to often leaves my hook sitting sideways and i dont want be messing with it to get it to sit the way i want. I use the braided line mostly for Moal's or when i want a more mobile trailer hook because once the braid soaks enough water the hook sometimes will also ride flopped on its side.I do use the running line but not as much because Owner and Gammy hooks have very small eye holes and they can be really tough to change out the hooks, also partly why i try not to use the braided line. I really like the wire if i want the hook to stay its a** put where i want it, I always tie mine so the hook is point up, i even tie alot of my salmon flies upside down so they also ride point up  ;)

like i said already, we all do things differently to the way we like. Our discussion is at least giving other guys good pros and cons about the different things that can be used  ;)

Matt - the wire i buy is basically the same as the Bite tippet by Rio which sells for $1/foot but i get mine for 17cents/foot. I buy the 100foot spools at Michaels and at that price its even cheaper than mono  ;D


HOOK - has about 400 feet of wire, approx 100 feet of running line, approx 100 feet of braided and a full spool of heavy mono. I think im set for trailer material for awhile LOL

Title: Re: what have you guys been tying?
Post by: Blackgivesway2blue on January 24, 2012, 01:15:53 AM

Quote from: HOOK on January 24, 2012, 01:07:38 AM

like i said already, we all do things differently to the way we like. Our discussion is at least giving other guys good pros and cons about the different things that can be used  ;)   

exactly why i wanted to start this topic. loving the wire idea for trailers, i dont use intruders at all , but i know im gonna have to start tying them up soon , so hearing all this feedback on them helps a bit ;)

Title: Re: what have you guys been tying?
Post by: Brook Trout on January 27, 2012, 06:02:56 PM

Chironomids and Micro Leeches. The things I lose the most.

Title: Re: what have you guys been tying?
Post by: Funeral Of Hearts on January 29, 2012, 02:35:50 PM

Caddis and various river flies for my annual summer trip.

Title: Re: what have you guys been tying?
Post by: Britguy on January 29, 2012, 10:41:36 PM

Just made myself a portable bench as I lost the spare room as a tying room (wife wanted to redecorate and keep it as a spare bedroom)
Time to start testing the bench out down stairs
Chronnies will be my first ties  (Hooks specials) ;)

Title: Re: what have you guys been tying?
Post by: HOOK on January 29, 2012, 11:12:43 PM

ha ha ha i like the name your using buddy  ;) but you forget that i call them Green Timber specials cause that was my test puddle LOL

dont forget to tie some bra strap greens up as well for Lafarge in the spring, was just as good as the other one last year on every trip

Title: Re: what have you guys been tying?
Post by: BCfisherman97 on January 29, 2012, 11:58:40 PM

Pornomids  ;) ahaha

Title: Re: what have you guys been tying?
Post by: HOOK on January 31, 2012, 01:03:50 AM

dont you just hate cutting the VHS tape into thin strips for Pornomids  >:( very tedious work

I also hate cutting Atit Static bags into strips for those damned chironies as well

Title: Re: what have you guys been tying?
Post by: Blackgivesway2blue on January 31, 2012, 07:26:19 AM

i hate when you have the strips cut, and the body of the fly almost done, and then it snaps and all unravels and you gotta do it again  >:(  :D

Title: Re: what have you guys been tying?
Post by: HOOK on January 31, 2012, 12:56:13 PM

i always make sure to have more then enough so i dont accidentally let go of it when it gets too short  >:( I have never been able to snap vhs or static strips so your pulling way to hard, flashabou on the other hand breaks if you hit the hook point very easily.

also remember when using materials such as these to start at the head and wrap down then back up however not with static bag strips or your under colour wont show through  ;)

wait until you start tying with the blood ribbing and how much of a pain it is to see the dull side so you can tie it in the right way and dont pull it at all or it turns purple

Title: Re: what have you guys been tying?
Post by: Blackgivesway2blue on January 31, 2012, 03:34:41 PM

i also cut fairly thin strips, i find it can make a nicer looking body as i can control it alot more.

Title: Re: what have you guys been tying?
Post by: HOOK on February 01, 2012, 12:58:40 AM

perhaps i have just learned to not pull as tight because alot of my patterns involve flashabou underbodies and i hate snapping that stuff and having it unravel especially when your wrapping 3-5 strands  >:(

I cut my strips as close to flashabou size as i can which is why i cant stand doing it

Title: Re: what have you guys been tying?
Post by: Speychucker on February 09, 2012, 08:58:22 PM

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v608/Speychucker/IMG_0126.jpg)

Title: Re: what have you guys been tying?
Post by: Geff_t on February 09, 2012, 10:02:52 PM

Quote from: HOOK on January 31, 2012, 01:03:50 AM

dont you just hate cutting the VHS tape into thin strips for Pornomids  >:( very tedious work

I also hate cutting Atit Static bags into strips for those damned chironies as well

I dont know if you already do this or not but try taping your static bag to a small piece of wood . Make sure that you tape it really tight so that the bag is not loose. This will let you cut using a really sharp knife and you get perfect thin strips.

Title: Re: what have you guys been tying?
Post by: DanJohn on February 09, 2012, 10:44:34 PM

(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg221/Firewall33/Fly%20Ties/2012-02-06192755.jpg)

(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg221/Firewall33/Fly%20Ties/P2080029.jpg)

(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg221/Firewall33/Fly%20Ties/P2080033.jpg)

(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg221/Firewall33/Fly%20Ties/P2080019.jpg)

(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg221/Firewall33/Fly%20Ties/P2080014.jpg)

(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg221/Firewall33/Fly%20Ties/P2080021.jpg)

Title: Re: what have you guys been tying?
Post by: cohoaaron on February 10, 2012, 02:49:46 PM

Quote from: Speychucker on February 09, 2012, 08:58:22 PM

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v608/Speychucker/IMG_0126.jpg)

damn! Those are SICK coho/pink flies....awsome ties bud!! :)

Title: Re: what have you guys been tying?
Post by: HOOK on February 11, 2012, 12:37:20 AM

that is exactly how i cut my vhs and static bags, i have also made up a multi blade cutter with a bunch of razor blades so i can cut lots at once instead of one at a time. Its still time consuming though because i cut a ton at once, usually whatever i can cut in an hours time will last me a season of chronie patterns...........unless im tying flies for others as well  ::)

Title: Re: what have you guys been tying?
Post by: Blackgivesway2blue on February 11, 2012, 10:17:50 PM

you guys like stone flies?  ;)

(http://i991.photobucket.com/albums/af34/Blackgivesway2blue/flies-1.jpg)

Title: Re: what have you guys been tying?
Post by: Sandman on February 12, 2012, 01:32:09 PM

Love stonies...I was using one yesterday the weather was so mild, I had to give it a whirl.

Title: Re: what have you guys been tying?
Post by: Blackgivesway2blue on February 12, 2012, 07:18:58 PM

nothing wrong with muddlers ;)

(http://i991.photobucket.com/albums/af34/Blackgivesway2blue/flies001.jpg)

Title: Re: what have you guys been tying?
Post by: Blackgivesway2blue on February 21, 2012, 10:14:55 PM

(http://i991.photobucket.com/albums/af34/Blackgivesway2blue/flies003.jpg)

mohair leech, such a simple and effective tie  ;)

Title: Re: what have you guys been tying?
Post by: Blackgivesway2blue on February 24, 2012, 07:14:44 PM

(http://i991.photobucket.com/albums/af34/Blackgivesway2blue/flies027.jpg)

cant wait for summer dry fly fun ;D

Title: Re: what have you guys been tying?
Post by: cohoaaron on February 26, 2012, 04:12:27 PM

Here are some of the KILLER jigs i tied last year for chums.... they worked awsome..... rabbit fur tail, polar chenille, then schlappen.... good recipe...
(http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa438/cohoaaron/DSCF4322.jpg)

Title: Re: what have you guys been tying?
Post by: Carich980 on March 01, 2012, 08:03:28 PM

Damn nice flies, I'm Gonna have to try and tie some of these. :)

Title: Re: what have you guys been tying?
Post by: Rp3Flyfisher on March 01, 2012, 09:02:04 PM

I have been tying about 6 of this style every night for 5 weeks now.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-oPkG5AQPUCc/Txh2VfoDqhI/AAAAAAAAUnM/JcU-d0O7F4c/s512/IMG_1091.JPG)

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Q3YcNBl-qG8/Txh19heONvI/AAAAAAAAUm4/6oKI5zd5Nho/s640/IMG_1087.JPG)

Rick

Title: Re: what have you guys been tying?
Post by: Stickleback on March 04, 2012, 05:31:44 PM

Here is a few I tied recently.....(http://i1067.photobucket.com/albums/u438/pnwsteelhead/TwoToothlessPrawns.jpg)
(http://i1067.photobucket.com/albums/u438/pnwsteelhead/Snowloopleech.jpg)
(http://i1067.photobucket.com/albums/u438/pnwsteelhead/PrawnHand.jpg)
(http://i1067.photobucket.com/albums/u438/pnwsteelhead/ViseSquidro.jpg)
(http://i1067.photobucket.com/albums/u438/pnwsteelhead/Handsugarpop2.jpg)
Caught my first steelhead on the purple loop leech
(http://i1067.photobucket.com/albums/u438/pnwsteelhead/459665600.jpg)

Title: Re: what have you guys been tying?
Post by: Blackgivesway2blue on March 13, 2012, 05:23:51 PM

(http://i991.photobucket.com/albums/af34/Blackgivesway2blue/flies028.jpg)

gave my hand at some rolled muddlers today during the boredom of spring break,

cheers , austyn  :)

Title: Re: what have you guys been tying?
Post by: Blackgivesway2blue on March 14, 2012, 03:49:07 PM

tying up some dragon fly nymphs for the upcoming still waters season, i swear these things will be a killer fly (y)

(http://i991.photobucket.com/albums/af34/Blackgivesway2blue/flies029.jpg)

Title: Re: what have you guys been tying?
Post by: Blackgivesway2blue on March 17, 2012, 08:25:41 PM

(http://i991.photobucket.com/albums/af34/Blackgivesway2blue/flies030.jpg)

how a bout a nice green intruder for st patricks day? cheers, austyn :)

Title: Re: what have you guys been tying?
Post by: Rp3Flyfisher on March 17, 2012, 09:04:33 PM

Here are a few more;

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-00h74N8aaB0/T1_DRQdQ5hI/AAAAAAAAUwc/uy9fuYYsvh0/s640/IMG_0610.JPG)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7p8ygUa_R6s/T1_DT_V8HcI/AAAAAAAAUw0/LCTyNFuraqE/s640/IMG_0613.JPG)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wQbv5-JazAE/T1_DVu81SfI/AAAAAAAAUxE/dnmTr5sNtBU/s640/IMG_0615.JPG)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ir8gIqIrbE8/T2DTNdDNbTI/AAAAAAAAUxg/vBrPXvaMGz4/s640/IMG_0618.JPG)

Rick

Title: Re: what have you guys been tying?
Post by: Blackgivesway2blue on May 03, 2012, 09:57:34 PM

getting ready for stillwaters :) cheers, austyn

(http://i991.photobucket.com/albums/af34/Blackgivesway2blue/292136_3365062997998_1011830415_32510445_950732192_n.jpg)

Title: Re: what have you guys been tying?
Post by: Old Blue on May 04, 2012, 07:33:02 PM

Quote from: Rp3Flyfisher on March 01, 2012, 09:02:04 PM

I have been tying about 6 of this style every night for 5 weeks now.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-oPkG5AQPUCc/Txh2VfoDqhI/AAAAAAAAUnM/JcU-d0O7F4c/s512/IMG_1091.JPG)

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Q3YcNBl-qG8/Txh19heONvI/AAAAAAAAUm4/6oKI5zd5Nho/s640/IMG_1087.JPG)

Rick

Great looking ties, I especially like the first one.  Great for steelies and I bet chum would destroy it.

Title: Re: what have you guys been tying?
Post by: qescott on May 05, 2012, 08:22:26 AM

(http://i.imgur.com/FI3b9.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/9kYOo.jpg)
Some cap coho ties.

Title: Re: what have you guys been tying?
Post by: Stickleback on May 06, 2012, 11:14:37 AM

Quote from: qescott on May 05, 2012, 08:22:26 AM

(http://i.imgur.com/FI3b9.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/9kYOo.jpg)
Some cap coho ties.

Wicked stuff qescott!

Title: Re: what have you guys been tying?
Post by: Speychucker on May 10, 2012, 03:59:08 PM

Starting to tie for a certain bullish trout next month.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v608/Speychucker/IMG_0392.jpg)