Ebay Listings Ending Tonight

Find all the ebay listings HERE

Some craft fur baitfish colors. I try to match my favorite crank bait colors when I tie these. If you have one you like send me a photo. I'm always looking for inspiration.

The flies that end tonight include several articulated streamers including a couple sex dungeons and my own streamer fly "The Buttkicker." Galloup likes big heads on his streamers so mine stay big.

 Finally there are two lots of saltwater flies with one tailored to the flats specifically.

Ebay Listings 3-25-15

This week's listing are heavy on the baitfish patterns with some top water thrown in the mix.

Find all the listing HERE.

Some of the notable flies in the batches this week:

The black and purple EP Fiber baitifish is a local staple of night fishing and particularly well suited to the jetties at night. Tied on a 2/0 B10S (2X heavy).

The micro poppers are a personal favorite for any freshwater in Texas. The small size ensures that sunfish that slam this fly actually hook up. Most popper miss many fish because they are too wide bodied. Don't be fool by the small size these popper can land big fish and 50 fish days are common without changing the fly.

Weedless baitfish patterns tied on worm hooks have been popular locally to suspend around weed beds. 

Mirco streamers have fished well for me all winter. These size 8 streamers are based on classic squirrel wing streamer patterns with a few modern updates such as 3D eyes. They are hard to beat when mimicking small baitfish.

Weekly Ebay Listings

I am going to start adding a weekly set of Ebay listing of flies I tied. This week favors redfish and speckled trout flies, but there are also a couple bass fly assortments. Check them out HERE

Fly Fishing Show Breakdown

It’s the winter fly fishing show season in Texas once again, and I thought I would pass on some advice about getting the most out of the shows you attend.  Shows break down basically into five categories: Keynote Speakers, Classes, Products, and Fly Tiers.

Keynote Speaker:

Flies from Dave Whitlock's seminar

These individuals are usually of national or even international renown for their skills. In other words, they were likely paid to come speak and did not just volunteer to help the hosting organization. As an attendee these should be priority one. They represent both a unique chance to learn something as well as an investment by the hosting organization. Thus, attending these seminars is critical to the event as well as making a good impression on the invited speaker. Few things are worse then speaking to a nearly empty room. Really well known speakers will have a crowd get to their seminars early if you want a seat.

Admittedly, scheduling conflicts will occur and you will have to decide which of the two seminars you want to attend. I always consider the likelihood of seeing a speaker again or if I can directly contact the speaker later in the show or at their shop.  In all cases the goal is to learn! I usually have a notepad or someway to write down important points in any seminar I attend. A lot of information will be taught by speakers during the whole day, and staying organized will make referencing it later much easier.

Classes:

            Classes represent a means to learn a skill. A class is led by a skilled volunteer from the hosting organization. These usually include casting, fly tying, and perhaps more unique courses such as tenkara or entomology. These are usually happening throughout the event and will over lap at least a little with other events, but the classes are often small with mostly one on one instruction in the subject being taught. These are a great way to get a foundation in something new or get advice on something that has been troubling the past.

Products:

            Shows usually include a number of product dealers or company representatives. These people and the items in their booths are a great way to examine new products or even purchase items not regularly found in your area. They are also a great way to test and learn about items that are technically complicated.

Fly rods are a great example. Will you cast better with an $800 dollar rod? What does a fiberglass or bamboo fly rod cast like? Casting areas are standard at fly shows. Get one of these rods in hand and cast it.

Fly Tiers:

            There are whole shows dedicated to this facet of fly fishing, but in general the tiers will be featured as a gallery with several tables each having a tier or two present. Alternatively, they may be spread out with the organizations to which they belong. Often clubs keep a skilled tier at their table to attract people. Be sure to find a local club and chat with them in you are not already a member. 

If you enjoy tying be sure spend the time watching a fly being tied from start to finish and if you still do not understand the tricks…sit there and watch it again. Tying is about the details. Often it is the minor touches that give a fly its eye appeal, not the big obvious things. It is not uncommon if you are willing to spend the time watching the process for a tier to give you the fly. Admittedly this is entirely up to the tier, but it does happen frequently.

The winter shows are very good in Texas I hope to see you there.

Feb. 7, 2015

Dr. Ed Rizzolo Fly Tying Festival

Bethany Christian Church, located at 3223 Westheimer Houston, TX.

From 8:30 am - 4:30 pm. Admission fees are: Adults $10.00; Students (with valid I.D.) and Seniors (62+) $5.00; Children under 12 Free; Family $15.00.

http://www.texasflyfishers.org/ftf1.html

Feb. 20-22, 2015

GRTU Troutfest

BANQUET AND AUCTION:

6:00 PM Friday Feb 20th 2015

EXPOSITION: Free Admission

Saturday Feb 21st 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM & Sunday Feb 22nd 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM

Fly Fishing Film Tour Feb. 21st

Doors open at 6:00 PM, show is from 7:00 - 9:30.

Purchase Tickets ($15/adult, $12/children 12 and under) at the GRTU booth in the expo tent.

http://www.grtutroutfest.org/

Grab and Go Boxes

(Republished from the Alamo Fly Fishers Aug. 2014 Newsletter)

by Nick Bertrand (primary contributor to Siren Flies)

This will probably not be a new concept for many of our members, but a “Grab and Go Box” for flyfishing has become a must for myself. I also know for a fact several of our members keep these boxes ready to go.

The idea is simple: One box that I can grab and then go fishing because I know it will have all I need for a day of flyfishing.

This box allows me to centralize the gear I use most and ensures some essentials are always with me.

The recipe for the box’s contents will very from person to person and certain things do will have to change seasonally.

Year round:

·      Fly bag

            The bag I will actually carry on the water with all its necessary contents.

·      Wading boots (if they fit in the box…mine do not)

·      Spare polarized sunglasses

·      Flash light

·      Spare glow sticks

I keep one of these in my bag incase I end up fishing late without a flash light)

·      First aid kit

I like the one or two man camping sets. They come prepackaged in small bags and come with all the essentials to deal with most small first aid needs on the water

·      Bug repellent and Sunscreen

I keep fluids like these in a plastic bag to protect against leaks. A reel covered in greasy sunscreen is not fun to use.

·      Multi tool (leatherman)

                        It can deal with all kinds of potential problems.

·      Waterproof Rain Shell Jack

I use something lightweight without insolation in case I decide I need to carry it with me and so I can use it any season.

·      Spare reel

                        I change it to match the rod and circumstances of the trip.

·      Spare fly box

Usually a box of big meaty flies.

Summer:

·      Buff style face cover

·      Sun Gloves

Winter:

·      Waders

                        If they fit in the box that is great mine usually don’t.

·      Spare Change of Clothes

The first time I ever fished with a club member in winter, I went five steps into the water and I went down. Completely soaked clothes end a day of winter fishing…period! However, a spare set means you change and get back on the water once you have emptied your waders.

·      Additional clothing layers

I usually keep a down vest available as a very warm core inner layer.

The goal of the box is to keep life simple, over packing it is easy and keeping the physical size of the box small enough to move without a buddy is a good rule of thumb.

            Also remember to properly dry any wet gear that goes into the box. I usually leave the lid off my box for about 24 hrs before repacking it.

Hopefully this will help stream line your fly fishing.

Video of the Week: Mako Shark Fishing

Video fo the Week: Fly Fishing DVD :: PREDATOR :: Drake Video Awards winning film "Best Mov...

Deceiver Fly Tying Video

Life has unfortunately and through no fault of my own been complicated lately which is why anything more then instagram (@sirenflies) has been a challenge. However I did get time to work on a new tying video. Here is how I tie my Deceivers.

Deceiver from Siren Flies on Vimeo.

Vimeo or YouTube

I have been trying to decide if Vimeo or YouTube was the way to go for posting fly tying videos. Frankly I'm still very undecided.  This is one of the first fly tying videos I ever shot and admittedly Clouser minnows are not original, but they are damn effective.  I would love some opinions posted here or on the Siren Flies Facebook page about which video host you think does a better job.

Clouser Minnow from Siren Flies on Vimeo.

Clouser Minnow on YouTube

Clouser Minnow Colors

I have been building a box of Clouser minnows for this season's white bass run. I wanted to include some staples of fly fishing (chartreuse and white, solid white, and olive and white). However since I had compartments in the box to fill, I went searching for some other color combinations. I suppose this is reflection of what colors succeed, but the diversity of color combinations I found on any one site was pretty small. In an effort to put a gallery of colors together here are the combinations I am taking to the white bass run.

Essentially there are three Clouser types in the gallery: a solid color, a bicolor, and a tricolor. These are also on saltwater hooks because if I can double dip on saltwater and freshwater flies I always will.

Salty Muddler

Ok this is not a new fly but a repurposed one. At a recent fly tying night we were talking about muddlers and deer hair divers and how if you tie them on saltwater hooks they can pull double duty in the gulf and on the rivers.  Genrally I tie in one of two extremes...way to many materials (see the Dog Collar) or super simple.   The Salty Muddler is definitely the latter.

Hook: Size 2 Saltwater Hook
Tail: White Marabou
Head: Spun Deer Hair

I like throwing white topwaters in the gulf for trout and redfish. However, I will tie up some other color combinations such as red with yellow and white with chartreuse (if all else fails go to chartreuse and white flies). Additionally smaller hook sizes are always a good thing to have in the box if the flies are gonna be pulling double duty.

For the record deer hair is my nemesis on the vice. However, the only way to get better with it is to keep tying with it. The simplicity of this fly makes it a great one to practice deer hair skills on because if it ends up in the crap fly bin all you loose is a hook and some marabou. Good luck.

Blood Belly Goby - Calico Bass Fly

This Fly Gallery goes out to the Calico Syndicate. They were looking for folks to post Calico Bass flies, and I took it as an opportunity to get creative on the vice. This one has never been tested on a Calico, but I tried to match the general trend of the patterns other folks posted with a couple of my own tweaks.
Essentially I wanted a "goby/sculpin" fly with a natural tone upper body and reddish under body to either represent a wounded fish or just the natural organs and ovaries visible through the underbelly.

At the time I didn't have the proper mono to make a weed guard, but these flies almost always have one as far as I can tell from examples on the Calico Syndicate page.

Hook: Eagle Claw 2x Long 2/0
Head: Sculpin Helmet
Lower Pectoral Fins: Chartreuse Arctic Fox Tail and Barred Rubber legs
Upper Pectoral Fins: Olive Arctic Fox Fur
Belly: EP Streamer Brusch (Color: Rust)
Tail: Magnum Rabbit Zonker Gold Variant

Sheep Hair Minnow

Hook: size 2
Thread: Ultra Thread 140
Head: UV resin
Eye: 3D Stick on Eyes
Body: Icelandic Sheep hair (package called it Streamer hair)

Beaded Surf Candies

I have been playing with surf candies lately and wanted to find a new way to incorporate colors into the body of the fly. I'm not the first to use epoxy and beads in bait fish pattern by any means, but I haven't seen anyone else use them to make lateral bands or red gills in a surf candy. Using different color beads to make the appropriate "match the hatch" colors is very cheap and creates some neat affects within the fly.

First I string the beads on some material (e.g. wire, flash, monofilament). Then depending on the pattern I want (e.g. spots, band, or gills), I position the beads on the monofilament and add a very small amount of super glue (not the gel superglue, it needs to be liquid) to lock the bead in position.

When making long group of beads I will add super glue above them on the mono and then slide them upward into the glued area. I like to leave plenty of tag end on the mono to allow for an easy tie in on

I have not tried to do the two methods described below with epoxy. I have only done them with UV resin. I would suggest resin only because holding the beads in position while the epoxy sets would be difficult. (If some one decides to try it with epoxy let me know how it goes)

I have so far used two methods to work the beaded mono into the surf candy.

1) Make two similar beaded mono strands tie in one on each side.

 Note: This results in a fairly cylindrical fly, which is not necessarily a bad thing depending on what you are trying to imitate. Mud minnows and mullet are both cylindrical.

2)Make a single strand tied in between the layers of super hair.

Note: This results in a thinner fly shaped much more like an anchovy, however it is the more difficult to position the single strand within the fly.  Also be careful to not leave a space between the layers of super hair.  I doubt this would affect the fly much, but its not as esthetically pleasing.

I also attempted threading the beads on the super hair once the fly was built, but before I put the first layer of resin on to make random spotting. However the random "bumps" created by the beads made it difficult to create a smooth shape to the body. I'm still working on a better way to achieve this spotting effect.

EZ- Body Sand Eel

Hook: size 2
Thread: Ultra Thread 140
Head: EZ-body Medium coated in epoxy or Tuffleye
Eye: Stick on Eyes
Upper Body: Chartreuse Bucktail
Under Body: White Bucktail

Rabbit Skull

Rabbit Skull

Hook: size 2
Thread: Ultra Thread 140
Head: Fish-Skull
Under Body: White Marabou
Over Body: Chartreuse Magnum Barred Rabbit Zonker
Wing: One rap of Baitfish Emulator Flash
Note: A mono loop is under the zonker to prevent fowling.

Under the Lights Minnow

I designed this fly for one purpose: Night time dock light fishing on the Gulf.  Trout love to hang around dock lights at night. However if fishing a large hook, you will get a lot of hits but few hook ups, and the fish are feeding on small baitfish the gleam white and silver in the lights

Under the Lights Minnow

Hook: Size 6 Saltwater hook
Thread: Red
Body: EZ Body
Eye: Extra small 3D eyes
Coated in Tuffleye

Bend-Back Fish Skullz

Bend-Back Fish Skullz

This is a new fly I designed for use on the flats. It should run hook up and sink relatively quickly with a nice profile.

Hook: Size 1  (gently bent to shape)

Thread: Ultra Thread 210

Head: Fish Skullz (medium

Under Body: yellow bucktail

Over Body: red bucktail

Marabou Deceiver

This fly is a variant of the classic Deceiver  It functions as a general baitfish pattern, but a few minor changes in color of thread or marabou can make a fly that works for any water clarity situation. This one is tied for my saltwater fly box for redfish and trout on a size 1 hook, but it can be tied on many different sizes.

Step1: Tie in a thread base to about the barb of the hook. Tie in the marabou tail

Step 2: Bring the thread forward to just in front of the hook eye. Then tie in the buck tail so it spins around the hook evenly.

Step 3: Build a thread head and attach the stick on eyes.

Step 4: Add epoxy to the head and move to rotary dryer.

Step 5:Once dry, coat the epoxy head in nail polish.

Alternative color thread makes for some nice hot spots in the fly. You could also add some flash if you want.

Other color combinations: Red and Yellow, Black and Chartreuse, Red and White