Central Alberta Fly Tying Club

Monday, January 19, 2015

Parasol Emergers and a CDC Caddis Dry Fly Pattern with Tim Maley

Twenty Two fly tiers came out tonight and learned to construct parasol emerges with Tim Maley. It is neat to see a very unique way to present a fly just under the surface. The fly is attached to an antron/yarn parasol that allows the fly to be fished just under the surface. You can use this technique for just about any emerging mayfly or caddis.

We ended the tying session by tying an excellent CDC Caddis pattern that is a real winner!

Thanks Tim for the very cool idea. I hope we get some feedback as to how this pattern made out on the water this upcoming fly fishing season!

Just a few reminders:

1. The Western Canadian Fly Fishing Exposition is on this weekend at Spruce Meadows in Calgary. Take a look at their website for a list of presenters. This exposition is usually full of great displays, presenters and product to purchase!

2. The Euro Nymphing Workshop with Phil Rowley still has 6 spots available. Let Bob Vanderwater know if you would like to attend!

I will post some materials that you will need for the workshop. Mostly thread. If you cannot find the materials, I am sure you can share with another person attending the workshop!

3. Next Monday we will be doing a chironomid session. The cost of next week's Fly Tying Monday is $5.00. You will get some extra thread to take with you at the end of the session. Try to bring an extra bobbin if possible next week!

Building a pheasant tail parasol emerger.

Pheasant Tail Parasol Emerger

Thread: Green or black 8/0 thread

Hook: Mustad 3906 size 14 or 16

Parasol: Antron or macrame cord

Attaching parasol: 8 pound tippet

Tail: Pheasant Tail

Rib: Copper wire

Body: Pheasant tail

Thorax: Peacock herl

Legs: Pheasant

Emerging Caddis Parasol

Thread: Green or black 8/0 thread
Hook: Mustad 3906 size 14 or 16
Parasol: Antron or macrame cord
Attaching parasol: 8 pound tippet
Body: Olive semi seal
Wing: Swiss straw
Thorax: Olive semi seal
Legs: Olive mallard flank

CDC Caddis Dry Fly

Thread: 8/0 Olive

Hook: Standard dry fly hook sizes 14-16

Body: Olive antron

Wing: Tan CDC

Thorax: Olive antron

Hackle: Grizzly

The gang at work!

Monday, January 12, 2015

Damsels, Stones and a Streamer with Larry Prowse

The library was jammed to capacity tonight to learn to tie three excellent fly patterns with our guest tier, Larry Prowse. Larry brought along a very cool floating damsel pattern that is a sure trout catcher. Larry also showed us how to tie an excellent streamer that included a furled tail using UV polar chenille and finally we took time to learn a quick and efficient way to tie in legs for a stonefly.

Three fantastic patterns Larry! Thanks!

Just a reminder that we are two weeks away from the all day Euro Nymphing Workshop with Phil Rowley! Drop Bob an e-mail to sign up! We still have some room!

Next week Tim Maley is our tier. I know Tim has a cool session planned for us!

Floating Damsel

Hook: 2 XL nymph hook size 10

Thread: Olive 8/0

Tail: Olive marabou

Body: Razor foam, olive

Legs: Partridge

Thorax: Olive seal

Shellback: Razor foam, olive

Eyes: Yellow/Red 1/16 foam, round

You can burn mono, use chenille or foam to make damsel eyes!

Rabbit Streamer with a Polar Chenille Body

Hook: size 4XL Streamer hook sizes 2 to 6

Thread: Color to suit streamer

Tail: Furled polar chenille and rabbit

Body: Polar chenille and rabbit

Eyes: Dumbell Eyes

Head: UV Ice Chenille

Making a furled underbody tail for the streamer.

Rubber Legged Stonefly

Hook: 3XL size 6 -10 streamer hook

Tail: Rubber legs

Legs: Rubber legs

Antenna: Rubber legs

Body: Chenille

The Gang at work!

Monday, January 5, 2015

Green Drakes with Dr. Bill Young

Happy 2015 Everybody!

Dr. Bill Young was our guest presenter tonight. Twenty fly tiers came out to take in his presentation on the stages of a green drake. We tied a nymph, an emerger and a dun. This was an excellent opportunity to review all the major stages of a mayfly.

Bill always has a few insightful thoughts that he shares with the group. Washing your hands and using hand lotion is a great way to start a tying session. Bill also suggested that one continue to tie the same pattern many times so you get used to the correct proportion and tie in points for the fly. We also talked about how a parachute fly seemed to be more effective than a dun in so many cases.

Thanks Bill for getting us going for 2015. We even had the big screen going in the corner so we could watch the Canada-Russia gold medal game which our boys won!

Next week, Larry Prowse is our guest tyer!

Remember that we still have 7 or 8 spots for the Euro Nymphing Workshop with Phil Rowley. Drop Bob an e-mail to sign up. The all day workshop is the last Saturday in January!