This is just silly...

Lots of snow and then this happens -

The family is down in Florida, "stuck" because of all the cancelled flights. Dad is calling me with reports of redfish and snook eating flies. I'm stuck on a train because it's too cold for the switches to work properly. I see it's going to be a long winter...

Book Review - Part 1 of 3

Recently, I picked up 3 fly fishing or tying books. Two of the books are established titles and one is new. Generally, I enjoyed each book for different reasons. In each of this reviews I will provide a general description and pros/cons.  We will start will the titanic book called "Fly Patterns" by Randall and Mary Kaufman. The Kaufmans have been a name in the industry for as long as I can remember.  Although their shop is no longer, their name lives on in the pages of this text. 

DESCRIPTION

There is no dancing around with this book - it is what it's title says it is. It's a massive book with page after page of flies and their recipes.  From page 29 to 435 are chapters of flies organized by dries, nymphs, emergers, streamers, steelhead, warmwater, and saltwater.  Each page contains 9 color photographs of flies with its recipe below each picture.  Note, this is not a resource for learning how to tie flies.  Although it does contain some helpful introductory descriptions of materials and hooks etcetera, this is just an encyclopedia of patterns.  If you want a source of inspiration or if you are looking for a recipe for a classic pattern, this is your book.  Now for pros/cons.

PROS

I'm pretty neurotic about flies and fly tying, so I'm comfortable saying that I'm familiar with most patterns out there. With the birth of blogs etcetera there has been an uptick in fly pattern design. Now, if you're all over the tying blogs and forums you will quickly notice that the newest patterns are not included in this book. While there are many modern patterns represented, this book clearly focuses on the mass produced patterns. Most of the patterns are ones I had seen before. To be sure, there were many I hadn't seen, but most were familiar. Did I know the recipes before this book, absolutely not, at least not until now.  So, if you're looking for the new hot pattern this is not for you. However, if you're looking for that "new pattern's" lineage this is the book. Most of the cool creative patterns out there now are merely adaptations of the styles found in these pages. Are you looking to start your own lineage or haves fishing situation that calls for a unique pattern but your are not sure where to look for design ideas - start here. Steal some of the parts of proven patterns that may have gone stale but have strength in design and innovate from there.

CONS

It's huge. It's expensive. It doesn't contain all the newest hot patterns (but see above).  It's saltwater section and warmwater section is a little weak (this is a trout pattern heavy book). It appears to be focused on patterns used west of the Rockies and there are some errors (not many however, especially in light of how many patterns).  None of those are particularly problematic. My primary criticisms are that it can get a little repetitive.  For instance, there seem to be 30 stimulators represented  (slight exaggeration). For patterns like that I would prefer to see a couple variations followed by and editorial note with tips on how to alter it with different materials.  Also, along a similar line, I'd like to see more notes following the patterns. I would like to see the recipe and then see a note saying "that's the template now try it this way..." The fun in fly tying is the creativity side to it. Sure, part of the fun is coming up with the alternative yourself. But I'd like to know what Randall or Mary Kaufman think might work.  I'm of the school of thought that believes creative ideas beget creative ideas and the Kaufman's have created some powerful patterns (Kaufman stone anyone).

CONCLUSION

Worth having in the library but I wouldn't call it a "must have" unless you are REALLY into flies. I will probably burn quite a bit of time staring at its pages but I'm weird about flies. If you enjoyed flipping through Kaufman's former catalog you will certainly enjoy this book.

Until next time,

Tight lines.

Fishing Report

Swung flies on Sunday in southeast wisconsin. Flows were good, casting was adequate, but the fish were not cooperative. I did have a fish pluck all the way down a run but didn't grab. Switched color and went through again and nothing. Don't know what it was but it was acting like a steelhead. 

My neighbor and some buddies fished another section of the same river. Sounds like they used a variety of techniques and got into some fish including browns, cohos and some steel. 

So the report is fishing is ok. There are fish around but they are scattered. Fish seem to be still on the egg bite but streamers will start to become more attractive soon. 

Flows remain good though they will probably start dropping soon.  As long as the water doesn't drop too quickly winter runs will probably start/continue trickling in. With the cold snap approaching and dropping water temps look for fish in more traditional winter lies.

Got some time off before startin my new job. Looking forward to be getting in some more fishin.

Big rains in fall = good numbers of steel

 and browns as well. Although water levels are merely one factor amongst many, it is really the threshold issue when discussing whether steelhead will push in. There is no doubt that during periods of high water potadromous species, like Great Lakes steelhead and migratory browns, migrate. If you're lucky enough to catch a wave of fish migrating from the lake you may experience some of the best fishing and best fights of the season.

Well...

The mil is on the rise. It is particularly sensitive to rain fall because of its urban surroundings, so it blows out quickly. However, considering the time of year and the warmer water temps, an increase in water flow will certainly bring fish in. It will also flush out the old and dead kings (thereby bringing the numbers of ppl down a tad). Additionally, there tends to be a particularly hot bite right after the peak of a high water period before the fish settle into their usual pattern. Time to go get some but be aware of the conditions an be safe.

Tight lines.

Gear envy

18,000 laying around and this dream beavertail micro plus motor could be a reality. Not to be I guess, but as always, it's fun to think about.  Happy Friday.

What is going on here?

So Dad got a nice new skeeter (game changer purchase) and takes it out fishing for snook and reds or whatever inshore gamefish are milling about. Apparently, he starts blind casting an EP pinfish and catches a ... MULLET! What!? I have heard of doing this with bread crum "flies" but a pinfish streamer, I don't know what to say. I guess he broke his rod in the process. Looking forward to this story!

Game Changer - Sculpin (Goby)

Excuse the messy bench and grainy picture, this is the game changer - sculpin edition. 

I saw the Flymen fish spine and, like most tyers out there, I was intrigued. In short order, images of creative fish-spine masterpieces were flying around the web and blogosphere.  

However,  although there were an array of patterns, very few were modeled after the sculpin or goby that is so common here in the Great Lakes region.

So, imaged is my initial stab at a game changer sculpin. I use body fur in typical game-changer fashion. I use a couple of marabou as pectoral fins. To bulk the head, I use several turns of .30 lead free wire. All secured to a Sz 2 B10s. 

It looks very fishy. After doing a couple of these I came across one key - brushing a lot before you trim. The more brushing the better. 

If you have any questions let me know.

Tight lines.