A little angst and black humor, something any steelheader can relate to. It’s called “Steelheading: A Tragedy in Several Acts,” and you can read it in the current issue of The Drake. It makes the supposition that Shakespeare may not have really been writing about Danish princes, Roman emperors, and star-crossed Italian lovers….
Did Shakespeare chase chrome? Let’s find out.
Thanks again for being such wonderful, welcoming hosts. Thanks to everyone who took the time to come out. And thanks for so many strong followup questions. I’m already looking forward to my next visit.
When my rose bushes display their first bloom, it means there are Light Cahills on the lower Farmington River. Every year. Always. Take note of the natural markers in your area. There is an order to everything in nature.
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In cased you missed last night, I will be presenting “The Little Things” to TU Farmington Valley, Thursday, October 15, at the Whinstone Tavern at Stanley Golf Course, New Britain, CT. For directions and times, visit fvtu.org.
I have an emotional connection to this pattern — it’s the fly I used to land my first steelhead. It was given to me on the river with the guarantee that I would hook a steelhead. And so it came to pass.
I kept that fly so I could duplicate it at home. The original had a black wool tag that extended a few turns below the tail; I have eliminated it, apparently with no ill effects.
A busy week at currentseams. Let’s start with the presentations.
“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.
Hope to see you, and as always, be sure to say hello.
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I have a humorous piece on steelheading in the Fall 2015 issue of The Drake. I haven’t seen it yet. More details when I get my hot little hands on a copy.
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Just finished a new tying video on the Copperhead Stone, one of my favorite steelhead nymphs. It’ll be up soon. It’s fair to say that lately I have been steelhead dreaming rather deeply…and sweetly.
I remember you. Morning. Cold. Wonderful.
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.
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.
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Dave covering water with his team of three wets.
This modern take on the traditional template is one of my favorite steelhead patterns.
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.
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The North-Country Spider Egg Rogues’ Gallery:
Fresh chrome, Salmon River, 11/2014
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.
You are cordially invited to attend my “The Little Things” Presentation to TU Narragansett 225, Wednesday, September 30, Elks lodge, Coventry, RI. For directions and times, visit narragansett.tu.org.
Here’s the presentation description:
They say that 10% of the anglers catch 90% of the fish. If that’s true, it’s not because those 10% are supernaturally gifted angling demigods. It’s not because they are lucky. It’s because they do a lot of little things that other anglers don’t. As a guide, I have the opportunity to observe how people fish. I see their mistakes as well as their triumphs. When I’m fishing, I am constantly making adjustments and trying new approaches. That’s what The Little Things is all about – seemingly minor factors that can make a big difference in your fishing.
Hope to see you there.
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.
Since I couldn’t make up my mind yesterday whether to stay home and work or go fishing, I decided to do both. Fishing first. A man must, after all, set his priorities.
The first hour I did a little exploring on the lower river. This was a section I’d never fished before. It was either impressively deep or painfully shallow. Lots of holes and oxygenated riffles and other things trout like. I’m filing this spot away for future reference.
In the course of my travels, I came across old friend BRK TRT. Alan was casting to some delicate risers in some slow-moving water. We chatted about small streams for a bit (if you haven’t, check out Alan’s site Smallstreamreflections), then I went off to swing some streamers and do a little nymphing. The sun was warm. The air crisp. The river cool.
It most definitely did not suck.
A recent ward of the state that found an olive Zoo Cougar (fished with a floating line and a BB shot at the head of the fly) to his liking. Not bad for a hatchery brown. His spots almost look airbrushed.
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Alan declares his passion in no uncertain terms.
currentseams.com 