Brilliant Balanced Flies

Hi Everybody!

Today we took another look at balanced flies. Jerry McBride from the Inland Empire Fly Fishing Club in Spokane would be thrilled to see all the new ideas that have evolved from his original concept of presenting leeches in horizontally in the water under a strike indicator.

We looked at different construction ideas including a double balanced system so you can hang two balanced flies on the same set up or dangle a chironomid under a balanced leech instead of above it.

Below is an example of this double system. It can also be tied using a streamer hook (e.g. 9672) with the shank of a jig hook on top of the shank and one below. I saw Evan Ritchie and Don Andersen playing around with these ideas in the past.

If you want to purchase tungsten beads, regular beads as well as a variety of tying materials at a great price, visit the Canadian Llama Company!

We also looked at some great pattern ideas.

I want to extend positive thoughts to Les Kolibaba and his family from all of us at the Central Alberta Fly Tying group!

Next week Josh Nugent will be joining us from Calgary. Josh is a guide and television host. He spends lots of time guiding on the Bow River and southern Alberta. I have seen Josh hosting Fly Nation television shows in the Caribbean, Spain, Southern Alberta and Northern Saskatchewan. It will be a neat evening of fly tying!

Lastly the IF4 Film festival has changed their date in Red Deer. It will now be screened on Thursday March 6th at Carnival Theatre. If you have already bought a ticket, it will be honoured at the door!

Bob

Evan building a balanced fly!

I have learned some great ideas from two innovative biologists; Sylvia D'Amelio and Dave Green.

Gathering materials!

Balanced UV 2- Jail Rabbit Fire Tiger

Cut the rabbit skin off by using the large clip from a magic tool set and put the rabbit fibers into a dubbing loop!

Candy Corn (Dave Green-originator)

Hook: Mustad Ultra Point Jig Hook 32833BLN #10

Bead: 1/8 Tungsten Gold on a pin

Thread: UTC Orange 70 denier

Tail: Olive Pine Squirrel Micro Zonker Strip

Body: Gold Ice Dub

Collar: Orange Ice Dub

Dave Green 

Arizona Black-Blue Semi Seal

Bruised Balanced Leech (Phil Rowley originator)

Hook: Mustad Ultra Point Jig Hook 32833BLN Sizes 6-10

Thread: Black UTC 70 denier

Tail: Black Marabou and UV Pearl Flashabou

Body: Arizona Black-Blue Semi Seal

Bead: Tungsten 1/8th

Balanced Purple Beaver

Hook: Mustad Ultra Point Jig Hook 32833BLN #8-10

Thread: Black UTC 70 denier

Bead: 1/8th tungsten

Tail: Black Marabou with Purple Flashabou

Body: Cascade Purple Beaver Chenille

Lateral Line: Purple Flashabou

Hackle: Black

Balanced Leech-Olive Pumpkin

Take a look RIGHT HERE to see Phil Rowley demonstrate how to tie the Olive Pumpkin.