A quick and easy little ant pattern from the guys at In The Riffle. Can't wait to try them out on Slough Creek later this Summer down in the park!
Showing posts with label Fly Tying. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fly Tying. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
Deer Hair Ant
A quick and easy little ant pattern from the guys at In The Riffle. Can't wait to try them out on Slough Creek later this Summer down in the park!
Wednesday, April 16, 2014
Saint San Juan... Dressed in leather.
Often times when one fishes a river that they don't spend much time on a pitstop in a local fly shop can be extremely helpful. I recently attended the Orvis Guide Rendezvous is Missoula (...and had a great time) and headed up to Criag to fish the Missouri on the way home. As my options are usually Yellowstone or Madison, I stopped into Headhunters to grab a shuttle and a handful of any fly that the folks in the shop said would work. I figured it couldn't hurt. That is when I was introduced to the leather san juan worm. Actually, Kyle Nelson picked up a few, and yes, they worked. The materials are cheap, durable, move great in the water, and easy to tie with, so I've decided to whip up a few of my own. I stopped by a leather shop here in town and they were glad to give me a few scraps for free. Here are a few of the initial trials:
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
Oldie but a goodie...
An older post from one of my favorite blogs - Yellowstoner.
Check it out at http://www.flyfishyellowstone.blogspot.com/
Check it out at http://www.flyfishyellowstone.blogspot.com/
SUNDAY, APRIL 09, 2006
Spring Fly For Yellowstone Trout
This Fly Will Catch Fish!
It was a late night in the loft in Ennis, Montana. We had fished Beartrap, and the Madison near the
islands - way below Norris. The sky was broken clouds and their shadows came and went on the water.
Some people call them 'Millers,' others call them moths. What ever they were, there was a scad-pile of them. A famous fishing guide said that he had the fly to match the hatch. We paused as he pawed through his kit and found two of them.
"Yellowstone Coachman," he cried and bit off the midge that he had been fishing. He shared his second fly with me, and we returned to the battle. Splash it down, float it in like a gossamer ghost - or anything in between. Fish raced to gather it up. Once I watched three fish dash from under a rock to get to the fly. This was magic.
We fished 'til almost dark and hooked every fish in that mile of the Madison - all 4,500 of them - or so it seemed! We drove back to Ennis, arm weary and bone tired. The road was dry, the sky was orange, the company was great. We stopped at the Town Pump for some fuel, and some other fuel.
As we sat in the loft and discussed the day we had to learn more about the Yellowstone Coachman. Our guide explained that he had gotten it from an old fisherman in West Yellowstone, Montana. He took it just to be kind to the old duffer; put it in his kit and forgot about it. Last year on opening day in Yellowstone Park he saw some 'millers' on the water and remembered the fly. He put it on as a lark and caught a few fish. Ever since then he brings it out in the early spring when the 'millers' are on the water.
This fly is a variant of the fan-wing coachman, The tail is longer and the hackle is softer and larger.
Ingredients for Yellowstone Coachman: Tail = 3 or 4 peacock sword fibers, Body = peacock herl wound in middle with bright orange floss, Wings = barred chucker. Hackle = grade 3, or stiff hen - one size larger than hook, Head = black thread. Hook Sizes = 6 -14 regular dry fly. Drench with flotant and fish low in the film, or even submerged. Cast gently - it can twirl and sing by your ear and this is hard on the leader and your knots, (and maybe your ear.)
The last time I put a fly up, I got many emails about the set-up and questions about doing it. There is no secret, and the pictures are certainly not art. Look at the photo below for details. French wine seems to work best.
This Fly Will Catch Fish!
It was a late night in the loft in Ennis, Montana. We had fished Beartrap, and the Madison near theislands - way below Norris. The sky was broken clouds and their shadows came and went on the water.
Some people call them 'Millers,' others call them moths. What ever they were, there was a scad-pile of them. A famous fishing guide said that he had the fly to match the hatch. We paused as he pawed through his kit and found two of them.
"Yellowstone Coachman," he cried and bit off the midge that he had been fishing. He shared his second fly with me, and we returned to the battle. Splash it down, float it in like a gossamer ghost - or anything in between. Fish raced to gather it up. Once I watched three fish dash from under a rock to get to the fly. This was magic.
We fished 'til almost dark and hooked every fish in that mile of the Madison - all 4,500 of them - or so it seemed! We drove back to Ennis, arm weary and bone tired. The road was dry, the sky was orange, the company was great. We stopped at the Town Pump for some fuel, and some other fuel.
As we sat in the loft and discussed the day we had to learn more about the Yellowstone Coachman. Our guide explained that he had gotten it from an old fisherman in West Yellowstone, Montana. He took it just to be kind to the old duffer; put it in his kit and forgot about it. Last year on opening day in Yellowstone Park he saw some 'millers' on the water and remembered the fly. He put it on as a lark and caught a few fish. Ever since then he brings it out in the early spring when the 'millers' are on the water.
This fly is a variant of the fan-wing coachman, The tail is longer and the hackle is softer and larger.
Ingredients for Yellowstone Coachman: Tail = 3 or 4 peacock sword fibers, Body = peacock herl wound in middle with bright orange floss, Wings = barred chucker. Hackle = grade 3, or stiff hen - one size larger than hook, Head = black thread. Hook Sizes = 6 -14 regular dry fly. Drench with flotant and fish low in the film, or even submerged. Cast gently - it can twirl and sing by your ear and this is hard on the leader and your knots, (and maybe your ear.)
The last time I put a fly up, I got many emails about the set-up and questions about doing it. There is no secret, and the pictures are certainly not art. Look at the photo below for details. French wine seems to work best.
It was a late night in the loft in Ennis, Montana. We had fished Beartrap, and the Madison near the
islands - way below Norris. The sky was broken clouds and their shadows came and went on the water.Some people call them 'Millers,' others call them moths. What ever they were, there was a scad-pile of them. A famous fishing guide said that he had the fly to match the hatch. We paused as he pawed through his kit and found two of them.
"Yellowstone Coachman," he cried and bit off the midge that he had been fishing. He shared his second fly with me, and we returned to the battle. Splash it down, float it in like a gossamer ghost - or anything in between. Fish raced to gather it up. Once I watched three fish dash from under a rock to get to the fly. This was magic.
We fished 'til almost dark and hooked every fish in that mile of the Madison - all 4,500 of them - or so it seemed! We drove back to Ennis, arm weary and bone tired. The road was dry, the sky was orange, the company was great. We stopped at the Town Pump for some fuel, and some other fuel.
As we sat in the loft and discussed the day we had to learn more about the Yellowstone Coachman. Our guide explained that he had gotten it from an old fisherman in West Yellowstone, Montana. He took it just to be kind to the old duffer; put it in his kit and forgot about it. Last year on opening day in Yellowstone Park he saw some 'millers' on the water and remembered the fly. He put it on as a lark and caught a few fish. Ever since then he brings it out in the early spring when the 'millers' are on the water.
This fly is a variant of the fan-wing coachman, The tail is longer and the hackle is softer and larger.
Ingredients for Yellowstone Coachman: Tail = 3 or 4 peacock sword fibers, Body = peacock herl wound in middle with bright orange floss, Wings = barred chucker. Hackle = grade 3, or stiff hen - one size larger than hook, Head = black thread. Hook Sizes = 6 -14 regular dry fly. Drench with flotant and fish low in the film, or even submerged. Cast gently - it can twirl and sing by your ear and this is hard on the leader and your knots, (and maybe your ear.)
The last time I put a fly up, I got many emails about the set-up and questions about doing it. There is no secret, and the pictures are certainly not art. Look at the photo below for details. French wine seems to work best.
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Monday, February 11, 2013
A few streamers from the bench.
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A few selections from The Bobbin Droppers. First, a pattern called "Matt's Llano Critter" from a shop in Texas. Was probably originally used for Bass, but has since become my go-to trout streamer lately. Second, a JJ's Special tied with barbell eyes so it rides hook-up (or, reverse). So, I'll reverse the Js and call it a JJ's Special instead of a "JJ's" Special. Lastly, some hare, hackle, wire, and chenille that my friend Satoshi Yamamoto (Leftyangler.blogspot.com) has named "Big Sky's Upside-Down Olive-Griz Zebra Monster Brown Warrior Sculpin." What a great name. Another couple of suggestions are hairy stinkers and frog farts.... I like them both.
Hope all of you had a chance to get out and fish, or at least tie a little bit here and there. Take care, sharp hooks, and keep warm! - Sky
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
The hoppers are dwindling, there is a crisp feel to the morning air, and more and more fishermen are swinging streamers. And so, the Bobbin Droppers have emerged from their summer slumber.
Come join in and tie a few flies. No experience or equipment is necessary. October 3, 2012, at the Eagles Club, downtown beautiful Bozeman, Montana. 6:30 pm. Just look for the large group of tables pushed together surrounded by people that are talking too loud and smiling.
For more information please visit The Bobbin Droppers facebook page at:
www.facebook.com/thebobbindroppers
See you there!
Come join in and tie a few flies. No experience or equipment is necessary. October 3, 2012, at the Eagles Club, downtown beautiful Bozeman, Montana. 6:30 pm. Just look for the large group of tables pushed together surrounded by people that are talking too loud and smiling.
For more information please visit The Bobbin Droppers facebook page at:
www.facebook.com/thebobbindroppers
See you there!
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Hoppers and Streamers and Itches and Scratches.
Friday, May 18, 2012
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
First Cast...
My name is Sky Jones and I love to fish. From my beginnings watching a bobber on the stock tanks of our ranch in west Texas, to chasing rainbow trout in New Zealand, there is nothing I enjoy more than being on the water with a rod and reel in my hand. I now reside in paradise (Bozeman, MT), right smack-dab in the middle of some of the best fishing in the world. The Yellowstone, Gallatin, Madison, and Jefferson Rivers are in my backyard and that's just the way I like it. This is where I belong.
I started fly fishing in San Juan County, New Mexico as a kid, taught by my step-dad, Cutter. These early lessons developed my love for fishing in general, but more specifically, catching fish on the fly. Years later, that love was one of the main reasons why I chose the University of Montana for law school and Bozeman, Montana as the place where I choose to make a life.
Last year I began tying flies, studying the native aquatic organisms in this area, and learning new fishing techniques. In essence, I decided to get serious about fly fishing...but not TOO serious of course. For instance, I had rarely nymph fished, and I had no idea what a caddis larva looked like, so, I decided to learn. My "Hatch Guide For Western Streams" is now well worn and I try to learn something new each and every time I get on the river.
I was joined last summer on many of my fishing trips on the banks of the Gallatin River by my good friend Ada Montague. It was there that I pitched to her the idea of "a fish a day". She agreed that I should pursue it and even bought me a small journal to start making entries. So, here's the general idea:
I want to catch a fish for every day of the year. No, not consecutively. I have a job which I rather enjoy and would hope not to lose it. I just want to mark off every day on the calendar. All 366. 366? Yes, that includes leap day, and you can bet I'll be fishing next February 29th. So, say I catch a fish on May 18th, I make a journal entry for that day and mark it off on the calendar. Right now I'm guessing that it's going to take me 7 years, that is, unless I win the lottery and can fish every single day, which is exactly what I would do. I began making journal entries and marking off days last July and at this point I'm at 46 days. I look at that and think that I'm well on my way, but at closer examination, it's only 12.5%. And those are mostly from the easiest times of the year to catch fish around here. When winter gets his grip on this place it can be a little tough. However, I don't constrain myself to only catching fish on the fly. Perhaps someday I'll get all 366 on the fly, but this year I landed a 4 lb. largemouth bass in Texas on December 23rd, and I will count it. However, there are a few ground rules that I have imposed on this mission.
1. The fish has to be brought to hand. If I hook a fish and fight it right up to my feet and I don't touch it with my hand before it gets free, no fish.
2. I have to document the catch within 3 days of catching it. This is to ensure accuracy and the integrity of what I'm trying to do. I don't want to try and remember what day it was when I caught one two weeks ago and risk getting it wrong.
3. I document the species, size, method, location, and any other pertinent information such as who I was with, what the water and weather were like, etc.
So, I'll try to figure out a way to get a calendar on this thing and post my entries by date. But the blog itself won't just consist of the pursuit of 366. I've learned a thing or two the hard way, from fishing companions, sheer luck, and my imagination, so I'll be passing along a few of the tips and tricks that I've picked up that have helped me become a more efficient (e-fish-ent), productive, and successful angler. Feel free to chip in where you like. Enjoy.
Sky
I started fly fishing in San Juan County, New Mexico as a kid, taught by my step-dad, Cutter. These early lessons developed my love for fishing in general, but more specifically, catching fish on the fly. Years later, that love was one of the main reasons why I chose the University of Montana for law school and Bozeman, Montana as the place where I choose to make a life.
Last year I began tying flies, studying the native aquatic organisms in this area, and learning new fishing techniques. In essence, I decided to get serious about fly fishing...but not TOO serious of course. For instance, I had rarely nymph fished, and I had no idea what a caddis larva looked like, so, I decided to learn. My "Hatch Guide For Western Streams" is now well worn and I try to learn something new each and every time I get on the river.
I was joined last summer on many of my fishing trips on the banks of the Gallatin River by my good friend Ada Montague. It was there that I pitched to her the idea of "a fish a day". She agreed that I should pursue it and even bought me a small journal to start making entries. So, here's the general idea:
I want to catch a fish for every day of the year. No, not consecutively. I have a job which I rather enjoy and would hope not to lose it. I just want to mark off every day on the calendar. All 366. 366? Yes, that includes leap day, and you can bet I'll be fishing next February 29th. So, say I catch a fish on May 18th, I make a journal entry for that day and mark it off on the calendar. Right now I'm guessing that it's going to take me 7 years, that is, unless I win the lottery and can fish every single day, which is exactly what I would do. I began making journal entries and marking off days last July and at this point I'm at 46 days. I look at that and think that I'm well on my way, but at closer examination, it's only 12.5%. And those are mostly from the easiest times of the year to catch fish around here. When winter gets his grip on this place it can be a little tough. However, I don't constrain myself to only catching fish on the fly. Perhaps someday I'll get all 366 on the fly, but this year I landed a 4 lb. largemouth bass in Texas on December 23rd, and I will count it. However, there are a few ground rules that I have imposed on this mission.
1. The fish has to be brought to hand. If I hook a fish and fight it right up to my feet and I don't touch it with my hand before it gets free, no fish.
2. I have to document the catch within 3 days of catching it. This is to ensure accuracy and the integrity of what I'm trying to do. I don't want to try and remember what day it was when I caught one two weeks ago and risk getting it wrong.
3. I document the species, size, method, location, and any other pertinent information such as who I was with, what the water and weather were like, etc.
So, I'll try to figure out a way to get a calendar on this thing and post my entries by date. But the blog itself won't just consist of the pursuit of 366. I've learned a thing or two the hard way, from fishing companions, sheer luck, and my imagination, so I'll be passing along a few of the tips and tricks that I've picked up that have helped me become a more efficient (e-fish-ent), productive, and successful angler. Feel free to chip in where you like. Enjoy.
Sky
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