“Soft Hackles For Striped Bass” in American Angler

Oct9

The November/December 2015 issue of American Angler hit the newsstands and fly shops last week. “Soft Hackles For Striped Bass” covers some salty soft hackle basics, and features six patterns: three from Ken Abrames, and three from yours truly. I interviewed Ken for this piece, and there are plenty of good quotes to dig into. As always, I try to go beyond straight how-to and inject a little fun into things. I hope you enjoy reading it.

You can find “Soft Hackles For Striped Bass” by Steve Culton in the Nov/Dec 2015 issue of American Angler.

Farmington River Report: still low and slow

Oct2

Dave took my Wet Flies 101 class today in the form of a private lesson. We fished two runs in the permanent TMA (170 cfs) and then we bounced around above Riverton (110cfs). The TMA was a blank, but we found some fish willing to jump on after we headed north.

Dave did a great job moving around in an effort to find fish (something I can’t emphasize enough when wet fly fishing). We brought a gorgeous wild brookie to net, and played tug-of-war with something more substantial that decided to skedaddle before we could land it.

What great day to be fishing as we had vast stretches of water all to ourselves.

Heads up! Incoming char.

Dave covering water with his team of three wets.

The North-Country Spider Egg Steelhead Soft Hackle

Oct1

This modern take on the traditional template is one of my favorite steelhead patterns.

Hook: Orvis 1641 size 8-10

Thread: 6/0, color to match head

Tail: Hen hackle fibers

Body: Diamond braid color to match hackle and tail

Hackle: Hen

Head: Estaz petite, contrast color to hackle, body and tail

Here’s what I wrote about the North-Country Spider Egg in the Jan/Feb 2015 issue of American Angler:

T.E. Pritt never chased chrome, but his renowned North-Country spiders make for fine steelhead soft-hackles. I’ve had even more success with the spider template by adding a tail and using bright colors and modern materials. Pritt may be rolling over in his grave at the liberties I’ve taken, but he could not argue with the results: steelhead love this fly.

Classic North-Country patterns like the Winter Brown and the Grey Partridge sport a head of wound peacock herl. In the Spider Egg, I’m simply using a few turns of Estaz Petite. The Estaz should be a contrasting color to the monochromatic body, wing, and tail. I like black/chartreuse; chartreuse/black; chartreuse/white; black/purple; and metallic copper/black. You can and should experiment with different color combinations.

The North-Country Spider Egg Rogues’ Gallery:

Fresh chrome, Salmon River, 11/2014

TU 225 awarded the Currentseams Order of the Cheeseburger with Onion Ring Clusters

Oct1

Many thanks to TU Narragansett Chapter 225 for hosting me last night. For their kindness, their welcoming energy, and for understanding that a fed presenter is a happy presenter, I hereby bestow upon them the Currentseams Order of the Cheeseburger with Onion Ring Clusters (washed down with a fine cold Octoberfest). Lots of great post-presentation questions, and as always, good to reconnect with so many familiar faces.

Not from last night. But you get the idea.

Upcoming dates:

“The Little Things” Presentation to TU Mianus, Tuesday, October 13, Waveny Mansion, New Canaan, CT. For directions and times, visit mianustu.org.

“The Little Things” Presentation to TU Farmington Valley, Thursday, October 15, (I believe it’s at the Whinstone Tavern at Stanley Golf Course, New Britain, CT). For directions and times, visit fvtu.org.