Heading Down the Rabbit Hole-Filling in the Chironomid Boxes

Rusty Nail-John Kent originator

Hook: Daiichi 1760-sizes 16-12

Bead: White, either brass or tungsten size to match hook-3/32nd-7/64ths

Thread: UTC 70, wine

Body: Mirage Flashabou or Mirage Opal Tinsel, medium

Rib: Mahogany micro tubing (you definitely can use black or red micro tubing as well)

As I get started on my winter fly tying, I take the time to see what I have used and needs to be added to fly boxes. I have chosen to start with chironomids. Karen and I have used John Kent's Rusty Nail chironomid a lot this past season. That is where I am beginning!

Bob Edens at Stream Weaver Flies (right here in Red Deer) has all you need. I also order from Canadian Llama Company because I often order bulk when it comes to hooks and beads!

Karen laughed when I started in on chironomids. There are 1000s of sub species of chironomids. I try to focus on about a dozen different chironomids that I like. You could head down the chironomid rabbit hole all winter but I try to limit myself to what I have used with success. There are definitely times when a specific chironomid is needed, then I get busy and tie that specific pattern.

I love fly fishing with chironomids. The action can be explosive. Throat samples can certainly help solve the riddle of what the trout are dining on! Once you have the depth figured out and then what the fish are feeding on, you are likely going to have a decent day on the water!

 

Blue Flash Damsels and Pumpkin Heads to Start Off the 2025-2026 Tying Season

Hi Everyone!

Another tying season is upon us and tonight we got off to a great start! Twenty fly tyers filled Reliance Oilfield Learning Centre. We started off with tying a Blue Flash Damsel, tied woolly bugger style as well as the tried and true Pumpkin Head that was originated by John Kent. In the late season, I used both flies with a lot of success. I matched these great little streamers with an intermediate sinking line. Rainbows, browns, brook and tiger trout were aggressively hitting these flies.

Next week Dr. Bill Young is going to do a tribute to A.K. Best who passed away recently! A.K. was an amazing fly tyer. He left us many fly patterns to use that he designed! See you next week!

Pumpkin Heads-John Kent Originator

Hook: 2xl nymph hook (e.g. Daiichi 1260)-size 10-12

Thread: Olive 8/0 or Chartreuse 8/0

Bead: Hot orange 7/64ths-1/8th

Tail: Marabou, olive

Body: rabbit olive with a bit of olive ice dub

Hackle: orange (peel off one side)

Blue Flash Damsels

Hook: favourite 2 xl nymph hook ( I used a  Daiichi 1760-size 10)

Bead: Gold or Blue 1/8th (can use tungsten)

Tail: Marabou, olive

Flash in tail: 2 strands blue flashabou and one strand green or just use 2 strands of blue

Body: olive chenille with a blue rib made of copper/blue mylar #12 or #14

Rib: Chartreuse small wire

Hackle: Olive

Head: olive or black/peacock ice dub

All the trout below were caught on a blue flash damsel!

 

Seat Sale-...A Dash to Belize

Seat sale, to Belize; book it! Karen and I always wanted to know what it was like in late November to go fly fishing around Ambergris Caye. We were pleasantly surprised. We did have a few showery days but when the big blue sky showed up. It was beautiful, less wind than we are used to and the fly fishing was excellent! We had excellent chances at permit and tarpon but did not land any. Karen hooked three permit and they all got off. For the first time we tried to catch a snook. No luck. The bone fly fishing was superb. Shawn and Hailey have been helping on Hilian's boat lately! Extra eyes on the water sure helps the sight fishing!  We chased jacks that were quite skiddish but we managed to land several. San Pedro was all decorated for the festive season. That was lots of fun to see. We even saw a water spout for the first time. The prevailing winds are usually from the SE but we had mainly north winds. That made fly fishing off of the dock out front quite handy! As always, the sunrises and sun sets are spectacular. It is our happy place. We will be back in March!

A barracuda ate my jack! The tax man got his fee!

Bar Jacks are great fighters and are beautiful!

Water Spout!

Supper at Hilian and Addy's place is always fun. Local lobster, yum!!!!

Karen and Addy

Another spectacular sunrise!

A great picture of Ambergris Caye as we headed back on our direct flight to Calgary!