Well, its been almost 2 weeks since my WestJet flight back to Toronto touched down. Calgary was a cool 11C when I left, Toronto delivered its 32C, 100% humidity promise. Its hard enough to leave Calgary because of the fishing….the weather here had me wondering why I didn’t misplace my boarding pass.
Fear not, for there is a new member of the Danielsson fly reel family that has you covered~the Danielsson Control! This revolutionary fly reel features Danielsson’s highly acclaimed, reliable, waterproof disc drag system at it’s core..but thats where the similarities with it’s brethren end. What sets this reel apart from the other big reels in Danielsson’s line up…
The first time I laid hands on a Hatch Reel, I was impressed with the heft of the thing. Dainty~no. Delicate looking~no. The reel has a real business-like, industrial look to it that really does inspire confidence.
For many anglers on this side of the Atlantic, Czech Nymphing is still a pretty foreign idea. While we may, or may not choose to employ this short line method of fishing heavy nymphs, there is no doubt that the effectiveness of this approach makes it worth a second look.
I have come to the conclusion that there are some caddis fly patterns that I just plain LIKE to use. Sometimes they catch fish, sometimes they don’t.
Its interesting to listen to the debates surrounding the role of the fly reel. The issue of function vs. value ranks right up there, as does the opinion that (aside from saltwater fishing) a reel exists to simply hold your fly line.
This year I hung up my trout fishing gear even earlier than normal to focus my attention on these amazing gar pike. My goal was to get a better perspective on where these fish can be found, and how to consistently connect with them.
Until recently, I considered the Double Bunny streamer to be a pike fly. Not that it IS one of course, but the warm water fly box is exactly where you would find mine. That is until last summer….
“Don’t worry, this Inflatable Fishing Boat will hold you.” The confidence in his voice got me thinking~a boat without a frame….no rigid seat…massive load capacity of 515lbs…? It sounded like Dave Inks had either created one amazing inflatable fly fishing boat…or he didn’t have both of HIS oars in the water!
If you fish the Grand River in Southern Ontario with any degree of regularity, chances are you’ve run up against some of it’s big lock-jawed browns sipping caddis on, or near the surface.
O’Reilly reviews the St.Croix Legend Elite fly rod with the help of some gar pike!
These trout adapt well to new surroundings and can tolerate less ideal conditions than the brook trout. Like other trout, they require well-oxygenated water and are most active in water temperatures ranging between 54F (12.22C) and 64F (17.78C).
Brown Trout - Salmo Trutta
Native fish:Europe/W,Asia
Spawns:late fall/early winter
Special Traits:transplanted to north America in 1883
Successful hatchery programs have seen […]
The brook trout, or speckled trout is actually a member of the char family and can only exist in habitat that meets it’s strict requirements for water quality and temperature. Brook trout must have well-oxygenated water and prefer temperatures between 52F (11C) and 61F (16C). Brook trout can be found in both streams/rivers and lakes, […]
The rainbow trout are a favorite wherever they are found and are able to adapt to the widest variety of water temperatrures and quality. As a result, rainbows have been successfully stocked in countless cold water fisheries around the world. Like other trout, the rainbow trout feeds on a wide variety of aquatic organisms, focusing […]
During the countless conversations DanJ and I had leading up to my recent BC fly fishing & Alberta fly fishing trip west, I made it abundantly clear that I was keen on having a "western fishing experience." Browns and rainbows are nice, but I can catch those things at home. Cutthroat trout, bull trout, Cutt-bows….GRAYLING~that’s what I’m after!
This is one tricky bug to imitate! One look at the naturals leaves most tiers wondering how to achieve the appearance with an artificial. At least DanJ and I wondered! Earlier this season I gave him one of my extended-body cranes to try out. Until this year, most of the cranes I experimented with were dubbed-bodied parachutes with over-sized hackle.
For those who have been following O’Reilly’s Tying Bench for some time, you may remember a fly I posted called “The Dandelion Fly/Drymerger.” Essentially, its a small pupa pattern suspended below a “hookless” parachute. This pattern allows the fly to float just below the surface doing an excellent job of imitating an emerging insect. (if […]
also it should be said that good tackle of any sort is not only its own reward but is absolutely essential if you would have the best of the sport. from:The Fine Art of Fishing by Samuel G.Camp
While Samuel G.Camp wasnt referring to fly reels, that statement holds true today.
With the selection of fly […]
Wading the flats…sight casting to aggressive gar pike with bad attitudes…sound like Ontario fly fishing? It is! I was finally able to connect with Nick for a day of Gar Pike fly fishing in eastern Ontario that won’t soon be forgotten!…..
With conditions that Nick thought might be ideal, we set out to wade […]
I love fishing streamers, especially when conditions are right for them. A good streamer pattern, used properly, will tempt the biggest fish in the water you’re fishing. The short list of patterns I use has recently be bumped for a new star~the Polar Fiber Streamer!
For years I’ve been wanting to fly fish for brook trout in some of Algonquin Park’s (Canada) beautiful lakes. This past weekend, I got a taste of both the effort AND reward of just such an adventure……
My geometry might best be described as being not too “canoe-friendly.” In other words, there would be little sense […]
Fishing for brook trout in lakes, in the spring, is pretty new territory for me. Having the right equipment can be the difference between getting fish, and getting skunked! Finding, and getting to brook trout lakes in Ontario can be a challenge in itself. Having a light, stable, compact boat with […]
On Line Fly Tying Course Part #5 Tying In A “Wispy” Trailing Shuck Of Antron Yarn
For many, catching a trout on a dry fly represents the ultimate fly fishing experience. In fact, there are scores of fly fishers who will use nothing else believing that it is the only "pure" way to pursue […]
Loop continues to make their CLW fly reel and is rumored to have their own line of fly reels in development.
I find it interesting to read rod reviews that claim that a rod “speaks” to the angler. I’d say that’s true sometimes. After stringing up the Loop Green line rod and fishing with it, I […]
On Line Fly Tying Course Part #4 Wing Case Slip, Using A Bubbing Brush
In this installment, I’ll be showing you how to cut, prepare and tie in a wing case for one of the world’s best-known trout nymphs, the Gold-ribbed hare’s ear. There are anglers who believe that this pattern, in the right sizes […]
Online Fly Tying Course Part #3 Using Beads, Tying In A Tail & Dubbing Using Natural Fur
When fishing nymphs, there are times when having even more weight can mean the difference between catching, and not catching. In my experience i’ve found that if the nymph is not touching the bottom from time to time, […]
Whenever I find myself in a discussion about “fancy-dress” salmon flies, super-realistic show piece flies and the like, I can’t help but think about tiers like Shane Stalcup. In case you’ve not heard of him, he is a commercial tier/material supplier who has expanded his business to include a number of books and videos. I […]
On Line Fly Tying Course Part #2 Weight & Ribbing
In this article, I’ll be expanding on the techniques and materials used in the first caddis nymph and showing you some new stuff in this one I’ll call Caddis Nymph #2. While the dubbing techniques are the same, I’ll be covering the easiest way to […]
Online Fly Tying Course Part #1 Meat & Potatoes
More anglers find that they really haven’t enjoyed their sport to the fullest until they have caught their first fish on a fly of their own tying…It is only fair to warn those who are thinking of embarking on this interesting and enjoyable hobby that, after the […]
As time goes by, I think I have more faith in the “fishing” than I do in the fly. That is to say, I’m having less faith in the “magic” pattern being the key to more fish, and more in how its used. Its not been an evolution really, I’ve always loved attractor-patterns and had […]
As well-weathered consumers, we learn to be cautiously optimistic. This is especially true when the first time we see a product is when the UPS guy shows up. Well, imagine my surprise when my vise from Peak Engineering and Automation arrived! This vise truly is a great example of quality materials put […]
With our trout season wrapping up in just a few days I thought I’d share one of my favorite nymph patterns. The good thing is that this pattern is equally at home in the trout AND steelhead box! Pheasant tails have long been top producers for countless fly fishers and this variation is one of […]
Just got back from a few days on the west branch fly fishing Ausable river with Rob McKay~what an amazing river! It was a little different from previous years, but just as awesome a place to be!
With the fall colors painting the hills and mountains, we rolled into the Adirondack region of NY […]
Up bright and early this morning to meet Rob McKay for a little Credit river fishing. We were looking for some nice Credit brown trout eager to fatten-up for the long winter….
It had been a while since i’d been up early enough to see the sun rising on my way out to go fly […]
I had the pleasure of fishing with siestafred today~and what a great day it was! Fred’s sporty SUV pulled in the drive about 7 minutes early this morning…Fred was on a mission. Once inside, I discovered that Fred’s vehicle was missing something very important~coffee. I’d obviously not told Fred about this protocol […]
Dan Bailey Hipwaders.
For the past few years I’ve made a point of wearing breathable hipwaders whenever possible. In fact, I’ve been able to convince a few of my fishing buddies to do the same. No, these are not the rubber/canvas jobs with molded boots that offer nothing in the way of arch support, these are […]
After seeing lots of evidence of these last weekend, I set out to looking for them yesterday afternoon…
Well, there were lots of active nymphs around, but very few adults. I was planning to fish dries if conditions were right, but it wasn’t meant to be. Being "swimmers", the isonychia share their habitat with, […]
Green River Enso 8′ 2wt. 2pc. Rod
In Japan "Enso" is the classic symbol for that unique and profound experience of the connectedness between all things in the natural world.
Green River Enso 8′ 2wt. 2pc.
The fly rod business is flooded with a dizzying array of high-tech materials and […]
I’m very pleased to have finally conviced Rob McKay to post this pattern on O’Reilly’s Tying Bench. Rob is a modest man who has a less than romantic approach to the delicate art of fly tying, Rob’s flies are usually based on two factors; First~what he is able to scrounge from the lint trap of […]
A fly that has always found a home in my fly box is the Griffith’s Gnat. Created by one of the founding fathers of Trout Unlimited (George Griffith) the pattern imitates tiny midges, midge emergers, midge clusters..even tiny mayflies. Its a simple pattern, but very effective.
This fly has saved the day for me more than […]
I was fortunate to get some green drake education on my trip to Pennsylvania last year. Until then, i’d only really tuned-in when I saw the dramatic-looking coffin flies (green drake spinners) appear. As the most anticipated hatch of the year, they have the patterns to match them.
The B&B I stayed […]
The Vermont Fly Box Company Review
If I were to say that the appeal of fly fishing had nothing to do with it’s aesthetics, I’d be stretching the truth quite a bit. Watching the sun rise, the thrill of seeing trout sipping mayflies, laying out a nice soft cast on a small stream, the splash […]
Hit the Credit river this afternoon for a little fishing. While I was trying to feed the fish something that looked real, I was having more luck feeding the mosquitoes a nice, rich meal of O’Reilly. That was until…..
This guy showed up!
Truth is, the fishing was pretty good in […]
In the darkest corner of one of my dry fly boxes lies a blue winged olive pattern that catches lots of fish, and is pretty darn ugly. Well, ugly might be a bit harsh but it certainly lacks some of the pretty characteristics of say…Catskill patterns. A quill-bodied, beautifully hackled, split-winged pattern…..nope. […]
A hatch that might seem almost irrelevant to anglers in Southern Ontario, Early Black Stoneflies are an important hatch to be aware of in the spring. Ever been out on a cold opening day of the season and wonder why your "secret weapon" nymph from last fall is not doing the
trick? Well, […]
With trout season just around the corner for many fly fishers, what better time to have a look at your gear and prepare it for the first outing?
Caring for your rod/reel/line is not only simple, its great insurance that your gear will perform beautifully when you do get out on the water.
How many times […]
William Joseph Coastal Vest Review
Like many fly fishers, I consider a vest to be one of the most important pcs. of equipment you take with you to the river. In the years before I believed this, I thought discomfort was just part of the game. In the Coastal, William Joseph has eclipsed the […]
Its unusual for me to like a fly as much as I like this one, yet know essentially nothing about it…
Its an emerger, and likely a caddis. I think I picked it up at the Orvis shop in Chicago about seven years ago, but i’m not sure. I sort of care…but I don’t. […]
Islander LX 3.8 Fly Reel review
If one were to announce that the Islander LX 3.8 is a great reel for big game, it would have a redundant air to it….like telling the world that a Porsche is a great sports car. I was fortunate to have an opportunity to fish one of these Canadian built, […]
While not typically delivered by a fly rod, flies are often very effective for ice fishing. Lots of jigs for perch and whitefish are created to give the appearance of various nymphs found on or near the bottom of lakes all year long. While the Eye Fly does not really imitate an aquatic […]
During the January deep freeze, I find it easiest to daydream about muggy days spent bass fishing. I can’t think of bass fishing in warm water lakes without thinking of foam-bodied bugs. I’ve read that this fly is intended for trout fishing, but mine have always called the "bass" fly box home!
I’m […]
A year ago, I might have told you that the best rod for trout fishing was a 9’ 3wt.~at least here in southern Ontario. That opinion would have been based upon what is still my love of very light fly rods. Catching trout (big or small) on light tackle, coupled with the challenges of wind […]
Festive colors aside, i’ve seen this little beauty work wonders in places that surprised me….
One late summer night on the Grand this past summer, I spoke with a chap who was working his way up stream behind me. I could hear what sounded like an American accent and asked him where he was from. […]
O.K., its December…..I can reveal this fly and hopefully forget that I did by the time spring rolls along….
What, a standard dry fly? Yep. I’ve tried for years to prove this fly wrong. Yes, I know males are different in color than the females. I don’t like this fly for all […]
If I have one fly tying/fishing "regret", it would have to be not trying these incredible patterns sooner. Three years ago (in the wake of a none-too productive outing to our local caddis factory~the Grand River) I told my wife that for Christmas that year, i’d like a copy of a book called "Caddisflies" […]
I might have never even tried tying with angora goat if I hadn’t been trying to find seal fur for a British nymph pattern. It was labeled "Seal Fur Substitute." Having never tied with seal fur, I thought this stuff was terrible. Long, slippery fibers that didn’t dub easily, too shiny, impossible […]
Royal Wulff Triangle Taper Fly Line Review
Freshwater TT3F
I believe that the more time you spend with your fly fishing equipment, the more you get a feel for it’s strengths and weaknesses.. It is how we decide what stays, and what gets replaced as soon as possible! During the time I’ve been fly […]
I love egg patterns. Its fun after a season of tying dark, or dull earth-toned flies to reach for yarn that looks more like cotton candy than tying material. In an effort to find some slightly less intense colors of egg yarn a few weeks ago, I came accross a material called "McFlyfoam." […]
Loop Traditional “Midge” Fly Reel & Loop Grey Line Fly rRod 9′ 3pc. 3wt. Review
…….mine eyes have seen the glory!
There is nothing you can teach the folks at Loop tackle about the advantages of a large arbor (LA) reel, or about building reels at all. If you’ve never seen one, […]
Depending on the river you’re fishing, you can expect to see these little devils anytime fron mid-July until almost the end of September. A bonus for tiers is that imitations need only be the right proportion, and close in color.
I suppose you can say that of almost any dry fly, but i’ve seen entire […]
Having now spent a great deal of time collecting samples and watching the caddis doing their thing on the upper Grand, I hit the tying bench with both live caddis samples and fresh memories of trout rising to within inches o my fly…..
and NOT take it! That scenario is all too familiar to most […]
Like usual, summer is "In like a lion" here in southern Ontario. As in the past, extreme heat and humidity has caused a great rise in water temperature in some of our favorite trout streams. There are two ways for ardent trout anglers to see this situation; Only fish the slightly more crowded […]
If there is a hatch more eagerly anticipated than the Green Drakes in Pennsylvania, I can’t imagine what it might be.
This bead-headed nymph pattern, tied locally for Penns creek, was the top pick for the high-water conditions of this past weekend.
I thought I might come back with stories of big browns rising to my […]
Well, just back from my first trip to Pennsylvania. Lets just say that river lives up to at least two aspects of it’s reputation…….
First….bugs…and I mean LOTS of bugs. I’d heard Penns described as an insect "factory" due to the high quality of the water flowing over limestone for miles. Amen. […]
Thomas&Thomas LPS 7′ 6″ 3wt. Review
When considering the features that make a rod nice to fish with, one is left with lots of questions. Rod choice in ALMOST entirely subjective. By almost I mean that the poorest rods will seem that way to pretty much everyone. There are then, traits that make a good rod […]
For the fly fishers I know best, the ant is pretty much a "marginal" pattern. While terrestrials in general fall into this category for many fly fishers, the ant is one that deserves a bit more attention. From a tying standpoint, there are few flies that are easier than the ant. It […]
For trout fishers, there are few days so eagerly anticipated as the "opener." Most anglers have plans mapped-out months in advance, equipment prepared flies tied etc. For better or for worse, my openers have seldom unfolded as expected. There is one opening day that stands out above and beyond all the others […]
I’ve always liked the CDC Caddis Dry Fly pattern, but always struggled with the trimming of the CDC feathers. Somewhere in my mind I’m stuck on the thought that to use this material, the aligned natural tips of the feathers should be the outer extent of the wings. I think can say with […]
The deeper I get involved in fly fishing, the deeper my sense of familiarity grows with the sport’s tools and tricks. Every new pc. of equipment seems like either an innovative product answering a real need, or a better version of something that exists now. "New" flies tend to fall into the latter […]
Alright, that’s bad…..I’ll admit. The truth is, I am a big fan of this fly. Like many fly fishers, i’ve found this fly to be very productive in a wide range of fishing situations. While the Zonker i’ve tied below is pretty true to the original, I consider it a "style" more […]
This terrific fly improves upon a great fly by the substitution of a goose biot for the abdomen, and CDC for the wing. There are many theories as to why this fly is such a favorite among fly fishers. My personal belief is that it’s slender, low-riding profile (coupled with the very natural […]
While the pheasant tail nymph requires little introduction, this variation may be new to many. The addition of a bead to the pheasant tail nymph has proven very effective to fly fishers the world over. This "Sparkle Pheasant Tail" nymph takes the attractive nature of the shiny bead to the next level. […]
I would hazard a guess that there are few tiers who have not heard the name Jay "Fishy" Fullum. Author of "Fishy’s Flies" and a columnist for both American Angler and Fly Tyer magazines, Jay has a well-deserved reputation for innovative, fun patterns for warm, cold and saltwater gamefish. My experience with Jay […]
Like many of the flies I’ll likely include on "O’Reilly’s Tying Bench," the herl-bodied dry fly is of mysterious lineage. I found this pattern a number of years ago in one of the fly fishing magazines. After an hour or two of searching, I’ve given up on finding the article. The important […]
Hello HipWaders! There are some flies i’ve considered keeping to myself, due in part to the "secret weapon" feelings anglers get when a pattern is so easy to tie and catches lots of fish. This pattern falls into that category. It has, on many occasions, been the difference between catching, and being […]
If trout are the damsels of the spring-fed steams, panfish can only be described as the BULLIES of the school yard!
When I think back on past fly fishing adventures, it is with the same "glow" I think of both my lake fishing for panfish, AND my coldwater pursuit of trout. Don’t get […]
Can you pick up a stone in the rivers you fish and NOT find them in good quantity? In ALL the rivers I fish, there are a minimum of 3-4 on every rock, often a dozen or more. They very in species, size and color. The caddis larva I see the most […]
Well, you’ve made it to the river, now what?
Winter is here, and while its hard to hang up the fly rod, I don’t really mind that much. How can we, as anglers, use the snowy weather to help us catch more trout in the spring? Well, I tie some flies, read some books and […]
In 1984, Hans Van Klinken (a Dutch fly tier) developed this fly about 15 years ago in an attempt to mimmic the caddis larva he found in the grayling he fished for in Norway. The result of the 4 months of development he invested to perfect it is the fly below, the Klinkhamer Special.While […]
In all but the slowest stretches of river, I keep Prince nymphs as the "go-to" patterns when there appears to be no surface activity.
While many of the patterns I use are natural, drab looking creations (I’ll cover a few of those in the future!), one pattern that looks like rows of Christmas tree ornaments […]