After canceling two fishing trips due to freezing temperatures and high winds, it looks like the first opportunity for me to get on the water will arrive this weekend.  Can’t come soon enough as I have a terminal case of cabin fever aka shack nasties.

“Part of the appeal of fly tying is that there’s always access to it. Nobody gets to fish as much as they want, but they can certainly tie a few flies every day. It keeps you in the game. I can’t speak for everybody, but for me there’s that ultimate pursuit of perfection.  No matter [...]

A wintery, and definitely gloomy Sunday. The ideal time to tackle new fly ideas on the tying bench.  Here’s a photo montage of a spanking new creation, the Ninja (chironomid pupa). The pattern contains many of the qualities I especially like in a midge pupa fly. 

At the urging of my better half, an Amazon.com affiliate store has been added to the site. Linda has had one going for quite a while on her Charlie Chaplin / Edna Purviance research and tribute site:  EdnaPurivance.org The Amazon shop enables me to list books that I have found valuable in my 35-year journey [...]

It’s been a great pleasure to be back in contact with a fishing friend in Wales.

The Mayfly Cripple feature was launched Feb. 12th, 2013.  Updates will be listed here. Here’s a cripple pattern I am most interested in:  Micro Wulff Cripple. It’s very easy to tie in small sizes.  The fly pictured is on a #22 hook.  Tie in desired shuck material for tail.  Mount Phentex yarn in cripple wing [...]

I often say “nothing sharpens your thinking about a subject, as having to teach it to a class”. That’s seldom truer than the experience I am having with this topic: Cripple Patterns.

UPDATE2:  Added two photographs of tied fishing flies floating in the film. One is the Torch Cripple looking buggy, the other is the Bottlebrush…love that iridescent rainbow! UPDATE:  An additional three photos are added at the bottom of this post.  These are flies tied as illustrative samples, that will be shown around the class. PUBLISHED [...]

This is a supplemental post to the Small Fly Articulation feature article.  Information included here is time-sensitive and is subject to change. We have sourced the Beadalon through the new Amazon shop. A current best source for Mustad 3366 hooks: http://www.fishusa.com/Mustad-3366-All-Around-Hook_p.html The Canadian Pine Squirrel articulated mini-leech shown in the Step-by-Step tutorial was originally shown [...]

Our first feature of the new tying season is now on Fly Foundry! See Motion Mojo: Tying Small Articulated Flies.

Been fishing and testing new flies for 10 of the last 14 days.  Lots of time on the water, which feels good.  That will continue for the next couple of weeks, then will slow down in late August. I will be getting back to the Fly Foundry site at that time, creating new articles and [...]

  Just hilarious.  We’ve gone from 24/7 rain right into blistering temperatures.  103F today in LaPine, Oregon, 27mi. south of us.  That is a geographic center for fishing waters we’d like to hit (under more humane conditions!)  But take a look at the rest of the country (big ouch).

It’s been pouring rain the last two days in the Bend, Oregon area, a forced break during what has been a very busy last two weeks. (Also includes a fishing conditions report for Central Oregon’s high lakes.)

Atlas of Oregon Lakes, an online project of Portland State University is a big boost for the fishing prospects of Central Oregon (and Oregon) anglers. Stillwater newbies are often baffled about how to fish lakes and reservoirs. “All that water, where do I start?”

Anybody want this foul weather…please take it away?! Central Oregon is being blasted once again with a nasty cold front.  Lots of wind and rain.  We were thinking of a trip to one of the high Cascade lakes tomorrow (Saturday) but the winds will be 15-25 mph, so a no go.

The Brian Wise video feature is now available for viewing!  Brian has been a pleasure to work with.  Many thanks for the mojo.

Through interests and avocation, I find myself straddling the design and fly tying worlds simultaneously. Every so often, the design side rides to the forefront, flags flying.  For individuals who have an interest in the design and creativity issues, this post is for you.

  All That Glitters… the new article about designing, tying and fishing with flash materials has launched.  We particularly like the page on fishing with reflective flash. This four-page feature is Part One of a multi-part series.

  Another post from the archive of Sugar Creek Ranch writing.   Stealth is an often overlooked consideration in fishing success.  While this essay talks about bank fishing for trophy trout, stealthy skills are an asset to stream, river and boat anglers, as well.

Blessed and grateful. The first happening of the day was an email conversation with new fishing friend, Canadian Neville Gosling.  One of the pics he sent over, was of Painted Turtles that he photographed on a recent trip. (click for an full frame enlargement) The last happening was tying three Larry’s Lizards – blue version. [...]

Linda and I want to update you on our understanding of Web security.  The computer or Web site you save, may be your own, or someone’s you love. You’re not going to be catching anything here. The Fly Foundry site is heavily protected against hacking, viruses and malware.  This is a safe site to roam [...]

  UPDATE: Part one of the  article about Flash Materials – All That Glitters… will publish Monday, May 21.  Hopes are it will be worth the wait. This has been a difficult piece to produce, and I have split it into multiple parts.  The second part will follow two weeks after, at the latest. Above is [...]

If you haven’t read the book review of Ron Reinhold’s Predicting the Bite, take a look at it, then come back here. Click on the diagram below to launch a full-sized illustration in a separate window.         This is a compilation of barometer graphs for areas east of Bend, Oregon.  Charts start [...]