Another Fabulous Workshop by Phil Rowley

It was a full house for the all day fly tying workshop led by Phil Rowley. This is Phil's 5th trip to Red Deer and the 26 participants were introduced to 10 patterns from Phil's new book: Stillwater Selections: A Collection of Proven Patterns. Phil's new "text" book has 55 stillwater fly patterns that he has not published before. Many of the patterns have come from a variety of inventive tyers and, of course, Phil. Phil is a master at explaining the food sources that are available to trout (and other fish species) in our stillwaters. The patterns he covered today provided us with an excellent cross section of food that trout target. I am always amazed at Phil's clear explanations of how to tye these patterns. The background information that Phil provides about what is happening with the "critters" in the lake helps us understand why these are effective lake patterns. Two episodes of the television show: The New Fly Fisher also made for enjoyable entertainment at lunch. There is no question that the Central Alberta Fly Tyers are becoming a very skilled group of tyers. Phil has had a great deal to do with our development as tyers and we are very appreciative of that. I have posted all the patterns covered today in the previous post.

Phil is always interested in feedback about his workshops. If you attended the workshop and have any thoughts you would like to share with him, please drop me an e-mail and I will pass them along!

The trip to the Parkland Region of Manitoba from June 4 to 8 is almost full. If you are contemplating coming, please contact me asap. Remember that we will be having a "preparatory" day on April 17th for the trip.

Finally we do have a tying session this Monday. Reid "The Kid" Stoyberg is our leader. Reid has a neat session planned with 2 patterns he has had incredible success with here in Central Alberta. After watching Reid and Phil Rowley discuss and then watch Oliver Edwards and Davie McPhail tying on You Tube, you can appreciate how knowledgeable "The Kid" is. By the way take a look here for

Oliver Edwards:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwqK9b3jNFQ

Davie McPhail:

http://www.youtube.com/user/DavieMcPhail

Phil Rowley

The Gang taking in Phil's Presentation

Phil Rowley's Workshop: The Fly Patterns

All of the fly patterns that were covered today are from Phil Rowley's newly published book, Stillwater Selections: A Collection of Proven Patterns. All the flies below were tied by Phil. You can visit Phil's web site here:

http://www.flycraftangling.com/

Monday January 25, 2010

Hi Everybody!

Byron Stearns was our guest tyer. Byron loves to fly fish and guide. He did three patterns that are excellent to use when the brown drakes are hatching. Byron did a fine job showing almost 20 tyers how to construct Quigley's Cripples and brown drakes with both polypropylene wings as well as a parachute style. I have to admit that brown drake hatches get me and many other fly fishers excited about hitting local streams. Drab, overcast

days in June and July, as well as dusk, is a good time to go hatch hunting with these flies in your pocket. Be prepared to go home in the dark!

The Phil Rowley Workshop is this Saturday, January 30th. We can squeeze in two other tyers. Let me know if you want to come. It's going to be a very educational day. Reid Stoyberg will be tying next Monday. Reid has a well planned evening of tying all ready to go.

Byron Stearns

Brown Drake (with partridge wings)

Brown Drake

Hook: Size 8 dry fly hook

Tail: Three moose hairs split

Body: Golden brown (antron or rabbit)

Shellback: pheasant tail

Rib: 3/0 light cahill thread

Wing: brown polypropylene

Parachute Brown Drake

Quigley's Cripple

Hook: Size 10 dry fly hook

Trailing Shuck: Tan s-lon (z-lon, etc.)

Body: Tan turkey quill

Thorax: Brown antron

Wing: Deer hair

Hackle: brown

The younger generation having some fun tying flies!