A few streamers from the bench.

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

Dr. Slick's Field Trip!

We're putting together a little field trip out to Dr. Slick's in Belgrade.  They can accommodate a group of up to 6 and have offered to give us a grand tour after 5 on a weekday sometime in the next couple of weeks.  They are great folks manufacturing very high quality fly fishing and fly tying tools right here in the good ol' U.S.A.  Don't miss out on your chance to come check it all out!  Message "The Bobbin Droppers" at their facebook page (HERE) for more information!

American Angler Sweet Spot....Aren't they all?

My friends and I were recently looking over an issue of American Angler.... a fine publication.... whereupon we noticed that the issue's "Sweet Spot" contest looked very familiar.  After a very brief discussion, we all agreed that the photo was taken at Mallard's Rest on the Yellowstone River near Emigrant, MT.  We all decided to send in our "guesses" and if any of us were drawn for the prize (a new fly rod) we would share and share alike...although I'm not sure how that would have worked out with a fly rod.  A day or so later I happened to be driving toward Gardner and passed Mallard's rest and thought I've give a go of trying to recreate the photo using my phone's camera.  Trying to remember the dimensions of the photo, where the exact spot was, etc., were all going through my mind while Shannon and the dog waited in the truck... yes, it was very cold and very windy.  (Imagine that happening in the Paradise Valley....weird).  So, as the two pictures below indicate, I got pretty darn close without any cropping.  I sent in that photo with my contest entry but alas, my added efforts proved fruitless...no shared fly rod.  None the less, I can't wait until the Paradise Valley once again lives up to it's name, the ice floats away, and we can once again float the Stone.

Until then, sharp hooks and good gloves,

Sky

P.S. I'm not trying to brag on my photo-spacial-memory skills, just hoping that the luck that I had on that day continues over until the warmer months, when I'LL be the guy in the red shirt.

Streamer Retrievers

Great reminder from Gink and Gasoline