Fly Fishing/Fly Tying
0 Comments

2021 BRANSON FLY FISHING EXPO

Michael Lack Tying

The Branson Fly Fishing Expo was held this last weekend.  It was canceled last year because of COVD.  Unfortunately because of the COVID Delta variant attendance was down. There were few vendors, slightly more fly tyers, and an occasional visitor. However, I had a great time. I was able to tie a lot of flies and give them away. I was also able to visit every vendor and tier.  As usual, I never fail to learn something. I got to see several old friends and make new ones.  Isn’t that what the show is really about.  I’ll be there next year!

 

2
Fly Tying
1 Comment

Tom Loving’s Gerbubble Bug

Tom Lovig designed the Gerbubble Bug in the early 1900s to fish for bass on the Chesapeake Bay.  It is a very effective fly but did not become popular until the May 1971 issue of Fly Fisherman popularized it with the history and tying instructions.

It’s not difficult to tie, but forming the head is time-consuming. Modern woodworking tools and a few jigs can make the process much easier.

18
Fly Tying
0 Comments

Hooks

Smallmouth
Boundary Waters, MN

 

When I started tying flies in the 70s, I thought I could save money. I was wrong. Over the next 60 years, I have spent thousands of dollars on materials to tie flies.  It would have been much cheaper to have purchased every fly I use in that period. Of course, I would have missed all the fun of tying the flies.  I learned a lot, and I do think my flies last longer than the store-bought flies.

22
Sparkle Pupa
Fly Tying
0 Comments

Sparkle Pupa

In my last post, I described the Veiled Caddis as an alternative to the Sparkle Pupa.  When tying the Sparkle Pupa, the Antron fibers were either too thin or ballooned out too much. However, searching the internet, I found an easy way to get perfect results.

17
Fly Tying
1 Comment

Veiled Caddis

Veiled Caddis

In 1981 Gary Lafontaine published a seminal work entitled Caddisflies. This book is based upon observations made while scuba diving.  In it, he describes the life cycle of the caddisflies and how they behave in the water.  LaFontaine goes on to develop various patterns and discusses how to fish them.

14
BWO Failed Emerger

BWO Failed Emerge

Fly Tying
0 Comments

BWO Failed Emerger

BWO Failed Emerger

Blue Winged Olives, BWO, are mayflies that hatch all over the world and provide some of the most prolific hatches in flyfishing.  Baetis, BWO, will hatch year-round giving BWO dry flies a place in your box anytime you’re on the water.

8