Monday February 28th A Tribute to Sylvester Nemes

Doug Pullen was our guest tyer tonight. Those of us who have taken in Doug's presentations in the past knew that we were in for a very educational evening of fly tying. Twenty three fly tyers came to learn about soft hackle flies. Doug brought along a number of books on soft hackle flies; several were authored by Sylvester Nemes who recently passed away. Sylvester Nemes loved soft hackle flies and he created a renewed interest in this type of fly.

Soft hackle flies date back to the 1400s and they maybe the oldest documented flies having a rich history in England. I saw Bernie smile when he heard this. The bodies of a soft hackle fly are usually made from silk, floss or peacock herl. The most popular feather for the soft hackle is from the Hungarian partridge. A sparse soft hackle is usually the most effective.

Soft hackle flies can imitate caddis pupae, drowned mayflies duns and spinners, caddis adults, stoneflies and winged terrestrials. It's amazing how a fly that has 500 years of history is still just as effective now as in the past.

Thanks, Doug, for a fantastic evening of fly tying. We are very appreciative of your effort to teach us all about Soft Hackle Flies.

Next week, Rick Miyauchi is our guest tyer. I wonder what Rick will wear? See you on March 7th.

The Sportsman Show is on the weekend. Willy is going to tie flies and teach interested people how to tie a basic fly. If you have some time on Saturday, drop Willy an e-mail and set up a time to lend a hand. Thanks for doing this Willy. You can e-mail Willy right here:

whspy@shaw.ca

Remember that John Howard from Howard's Hackle will be at next week's session. He will be set up at 6:30 p.m. If you have any specific orders, be sure to contact Howard Hackle with your order and he will bring it next Monday.

Bob

Doug Pullen

The Gang taking in Doug's presentation.

As always, Doug gave his audience a great deal of insight into Soft Hackle Flies.

Partridge and Orange Spider

Hook: Mustad 3906B size 12

Thread: 8/0 or 70 denier orange

Body:- Orange floss or silk

Hackle: Brown partridge

Pheasant Tail Flymph

Hook: 3906B size 12

Thread: 8/0 or 70 denier dark brown or black thread

Trailing Shuck: Brown and white z-lon

Ribbing: Fine gold or copper wire

Body: Pheasant tail

Thorax: Peacock herl

Hackle: Brown Partridge

Sly's (Sills) Midge

Hook: TMC 100 size 16

Thread: Black 8/0

Rib: Fine gold wire

Body: Peacock herl

Hackle: Grey Partridge

Gary and Rick tying their soft hackle flies.

Monday February 14th Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day Everybody!

Today Betty MacKenzie was our guest tyer. Betty taught 14 keen fly tyers about three of her favorite patterns. Betty loves Doc Spratley flies. She taught us 2 of her variations on this tried and true pattern. Betty also introduced us to her version of a backswimmer that has paid dividends for both her husband, Steve and herself. The photo above is Betty with a beautiful Tokaryk Lake rainbow taken on one of her Doc Spratley patterns. I saw first hand how effective Betty's Foam Backswimmer pattern was at Twin Lakes when the tiger trout slammed her imitation many times during the day. Betty's 30 plus years in education was very evident with her concise teaching instructions. I know several of the gang tonight will be busy tying these three patterns to add to their fly box. Great job Betty.

Just a reminder that there is NO fly tying next Monday because it is Family Day.

Doug Pullen is our guest tyer on Monday February 28th. Doug would like us to bring orange 8/0 thread to the session. The theme is Soft Hackle Flies.

Betty MacKenzie leading the group!

Doc Spratley

Thread: Black

Hook: Mustad 9671 size 12

Tail: Grizzly hackle

Body: Small black chenille wrapped with medium silver tinsel

Throat: Grizzly hackle

Wing: Pheasant rump feather

Head: Peacock herl

Crystal Spratley

Thread: Black

Hook: Mustad 9671 size 8

Tail: Grizzly hackle

Body: Green crystal chenille wrapped with fine copper wire

Throat: Grizzly hackle

Wing: Pheasant rump feather

Head: Peacock herl

Foam Backswimmer

Thread: Yellow or Olive 6/0 or 8/0

Hook: TMC (Tiemco) 100 size 10

Back: 1/4" strip of tan foam (2 mm or less)

Body: Green crystal chenille

Legs: Brown or black rubber legs

"The Boys" are busy!

Monday February 7th, 2011

Hi Everybody!

Tim Maley was our guest tyer tonight and 25 enthusiastic tyers came to learn three excellent patterns. Two of Tim's flies tonight could be classified as a tying style that can be applied to many mayflies and stoneflies by simply adjusting the size and colour of materials. Tim's patterns were all easy to follow because of his excellent instruction. Tim's ant pattern made for some amazing days fishing in Southern British Columbia. I love turkey biots for making bodies and by adding a trude style wing, you have an excellent recipe for a mayfly dry fly. The stonefly pattern we tied tonight has a neat layered wing that makes the fly float high all day. Thanks again Tim for a very informative evening of fly tying.

Next week, Betty Mackenzie is our guest tyer. You will enjoy Betty's energy and passion for fly fishing.

Tim Maley

Tim's Ant

Hook: Standard dry fly size 14-16

Thread: Black 8/0

Body: white closed cell packing foam colored with black marker

Wing: White antron

Legs: black saddle hackle

Turkey Biot P.M.D. (Pale Morning Dun)

Hook: Regular dry fly sizes 14-18

Trailing Shuck: Rust antron

Body: Turkey biot

Wing: White antron or calf tail

Hackle: Ginger/light brown saddle hackle

The Titanic (unsinkable)

Hook: Standard dry fly size 6

Body: 2 mm closed foam tan

Underwing: brown antron

Overwing: Elk hair

Legs: grey saddle hackle

Bullet head: Elk Hair

Justin concentrating on his fly.

The Halvorsons focussed on constructing their flies.

All eyes on the fly, right Betty!

Karen tying up a stonefly!

Big Flies for BIG Fish , ... a Day with Phil Rowley

Its a blustery Saturday and 24 members of the Central Alberta Fly Tyers spent the day learning to tie BIG flies with Phil Rowley. This was Phil's 5th trip to Red Deer and he taught us 8 great patterns. The group learned so many new ways to tie flies today. Phil is one of the best tying instructors. His seminars are detailed and very educational. We appreciate the "hands-on" approach that Phil uses. By the end of the day we were introduced to the world of tube flies, making double bunny flies, building articulated leeches and my personal favorite the MOAL (Mother of All Leeches). Phil's schedule is a bit crazy this time of the year and we are very appreciative of the time he put into today's seminar. A special thanks to Patsy Rowley for preparing all the materials. That takes a lot of time.

You can visit Phil's website right HERE.

Phil Rowley

The gang at work.

Paz and Doug concentrating on their flies.

Today's Patterns. All the images are from Phil's Presentation.