Smallmouth Snack Articulated Sculpin

Here's another Articulated Sculpin pattern for Smallies and hungry Trout.

I got out this weekend for my first Smallmouth specific trip of the season. This pattern was a great producer along with a single hook version and my Simple crayfish from a previous post. I concentrated on deep pools and undercuts, swinging the flies deep. Smallmouth are a true gamefish and unlike Trout that live in very specific streams and rivers, I will almost bet most people have a decent Smallie spot nearby. Enjoy!

Rear Portion:

Hook: VMC Flippin' Hook sz. 1/0

Thread: Uni 6/0 in Olive

Tail: Black Barred Olive Marabou

Hackle: Black Schlappen

Body: Olive Crystal Chenille

Collar: Olive Schlappen

Front Portion:

Flymen Fishing Company 35mm Articulated Shank

Tail: Black Barred Olive Marabou, Work it around the shank to cover articulation point

Hackle: Black Schlappen

Body: Olive Crystal Chenille

Legs: Barred Rubber Legs

Collar: Olive Schlappen

"Wing": Sculpin Olive Sculpin Wool, Reverse tied and folded back, then "Barred" with permanent marker

Pectoral Fins: Sculpin Olive Sculpin Wool, "Barred" with permanent marker

Head: Olive Sculpin Helmet sz. small

"Lead" Zepplin Caddis Larvae

Like the band here's a Caddis that "Get's Down." It's great in a multi-fly Czech rig and equally effective by itself under an indicator. It's tied on a Partridge CZF size 14 which is really a size 10 in US hooks. Also, because of this hooks fine diameter wire I'm able to pack lots of lead onto the shank while still maintaining a fairly slim profile overall.

Hook: Partridge CZF sz. 14

Thread: UTC 70 in Fluorescent Chartreuse for the abdomen, and Uni 8/0 in Black for the thorax and head.

Underbody: Veniards Extra Fine Flat Lead, three layers tapered.

Abdomen: Jan Siman Magic Shrimp Foil in Light Olive, tied shiny side down so shiny side faces up when wrapped.

Rib: 5x Mono

Thorax: Black Ostrich Herl. Wrap herl and stroke fibers on top down, coat the top of thorax and head with Liquid Fusion (shown here) or any UV cured adhesives. Look up JC's Electric Caddis, the thorax is created the same way.

Extras: Brown Permanent Marker to color Abdomen.

Notes: Try not to wrap the Shrimp Foil too tight or your segmentation won't be as pronounced when your mono rib is wrapped.

Along Came Two Spiders ( A Pair of Soft-Hackles)

I tied these two little flies last night. I won't go into the history of Soft-Hackle flies but I can attest to their effectiveness still today. I've caught everything from Trout, to Carp, to Panfish on wet flies of some kind or another. Although they can be tied to imitate specific insects, some of the best patterns are those that are the most suggestive. When I studied figure drawing at the Maryland Institute College of Art I learned the importance of capturing the "essence" of the subject through a quick sketch or "Gesture" drawing rather than get caught in the details. Wet Flies and traditional Soft Hackles are "Sketches" of potential food items for the fish. There's just enough information there to suggest life, and a possible meal for a hungry fish. I highly recommend giving them a try if you haven't already. Also, from a tying standpoint there is quiet beauty in their simplicity. They are easy to tie as well making them excellent for new tiers out there. If your in Maryland and want to know more about Soft-Hackle Flies or need the materials to tie them (some of which are hard to find) I highly recommend stopping in Great Feathers located near the Gunpowder River.

Left Fly: 

Hook: Tiemco 3761 sz.16

Thread: Uni 8/0 in Yellow

Body: Turkey Biot dyed Sulphur Orange

Thorax: Fly Rite Poly Dubbing in Pale Watery Yellow tied very sparsely in a split thread dubbing loop

Hackle: Hungarian Partridge

Right Fly:

Hook: Tiemco 3761 sz.18

Thread: Uni 8/0 in Olive Dun

Body: Stripped Peacock Quill (Polish Quill) dyed Olive

Thorax: Nature's Spirit Emergence Dubbing in Blue Winged Olive tied very sparsely

Hackle: Small grey feather from a Pigeon ( I find them on the street!! )

Quigley Inspired Sulphur

In keeping with the "Para-Loop"/"Hackle-Stacker" style of fly, here's one for the Sulphur hatch. I've found myself tying this style of fly a lot lately, not only because they look great, but I guess it's my own personal way of keeping Mr. Quigleys memory alive on the water. Unfortunately we lost him a while back but the body of work and innovative flies and tying techniques he left behind live on. That being said, I had his "Sparkle-Flag" pattern in mind when I was tying this. It's a pattern to try when the Trout have seen everyone else's Sulphur Duns and it just might trick those fish who want to see something different when they look up from their watery lair. Happy Fishing!

Hook: Tiemco 100 Size to Match Natural ( sz.14 shown here)

Thread: Yellow Uni 8/0

Tails: Microfibbets (I typically use 4 for sz. 14's and up, and 2 for sz.16 and smaller)

Abdomen: Turkey Biot dyed Sulphur Orange (coated with Veniard Cellire Varnish)

Post/Loop: 5x or 6x Mono

Hackle: Light Dun

Thorax: Fly Rite Poly Dubbing in Pale Watery Yellow

Wing: Light Dun CDC Plumes

New Warmwater/Big Trout Combo, Thanks Tax Refund!

For the past couple years I've fished exclusively with an 8 1/2 ft. 5 wt. and a 7 1/2 ft. 3 wt. For the small Piedmont and Freestone stream Trout fishing I do most of the time these two rods are all I need. For Bass, Carp, and river Smallmouth I would usually over-line my 5wt. with a 6wt. line, but there's only so much you can do with such a set-up. Lately I've found myself under gunned as the fish I encounter are larger and the flies I use to trick them bigger. So I decided this season to put together a dedicated big fish/big fly combo with my Tax Refund. I searched around for a while until I settled on the Temple Fork Outfitters Mini-Mag. There are two rods in the Mini-Mag series, a 6-8wt. and a 8-10wt. Both are 8  ft. 3 piece rods. I chose the 6-8wt model and couldn't be happier. Although I might not win any distance contests casting it, I am confident in it's ability to cast heavy wind-resistant flies and muscle in the big fish that eat them. For a reel I went cheap  and chose the Bass Pro Shops Hobbs Creek Large Arbor. It's basic, reliable, and the money I saved buying it left me with enough to grab two spare spools. I loaded them up with a WF 6, WF 7, and kicked it old school spooling the reel up with a Cortland 333 HT 8wt. Bass Taper! I also have to mention Bears Den who I bought the rod from. They were the only shop I called that had the rod in stock. They boxed it and sent it out the same day I ordered it. It arrived a few days later and I was fishing! I highly recommend them and look forward to shopping with them again! Also, it's not a bad idea to cast a heavier rod now and again, especially if your used to 5wt's and under. Any casting flaws you have show up in a big way! Tight Loops!

"Skittish Crayfish" Variation

Here's another crayfish pattern I'm working on. It's a spin-off of the Skittish Crayfish, an easy to tie and very effective crayfish imitation I became aware of in a past issue of Fly Tyer. I've made some slight adjustments to the original pattern which make it a little easier to tie I think. The original pattern uses Squirrel Tail for the claws and a Zonker strip for the legs and underbody. I use Zonker Strips for the claws instead of tying in a clump of Squirrel Tail, dividing it, then posting the two clumps to form the claws. I use Schlappen for the legs instead of a Zonker Strip mostly because I like the way it looks. My version also doesn't include a wire rib through the body but it doesn't hurt to add one. I've found after coating the Moose Hair shellback with CCG, Bug-Bond, or Liquid Fusion the fly is plenty durable. In smaller sizes I like to fish it dead drift, and larger sizes I like to fish on a sink tip, stripping it along the bottom and shaking it whenever I feel a rock or log. Tie a few up in sizes 8-4 and get fishing!

Hook: Streamer hook sz. 8-4 (The fly in the picture is tied on a Mustad R74-9672)

Thread: UTC 140 in Rusty Brown

Eyes: Lead Dumbell (Painted or Unpainted)

Claws: Crawdad colored Zonker Strips (Mottled with brown permanent marker)

Antennae: Brown Round Rubber

Head/Body: Crawdad Orange Wapsi Buggy Nymph Yarn

Legs: Brown Schlappen

Shellback: Moose Body Hair coated with epoxy, Bug Bond, CCG, or my favorite Liquid Fusion

A Little "Rusty" With My Spinner Tying

I'll admit I'm not too much of a dry fly fisherman. Probably when I get older into my golden years I'll re-discover the art of fishing a dry fly. But while I'm young and reckless I'm gonna nymph! Every once in a while I'll fish dries though, especially when the major hatches of the Eastern USA get going. One of the best times to fish a dry is during the spinner fall. If you had to choose only one pattern in one size to fish you would have to start with a size 14 Rusty Spinner. Everyone has their own version of this pattern and here's the one I use. It floats well and is easy to see.  Enjoy!

Hook: Tiemco 100 sz.14

Thread: Rusty Brown Uni 8/0

Tails: Microfibbets (For a size 14 I use 4 and split them leaving 2 on each side)

Abdomen: Rusty Brown Turkey Biot ( I almost always coat the Biot body with Veniards Cellire Varnish or Super Glue for durability and shine)

Wings: Light colored Snowshoe Rabbit, Natural Cream or Light Dun work fine

Thorax Cover: Yellow Craft Foam

Thorax: Rusty Brown Antron

"Attract"-ive Caddis Point Fly

Last year around this time I had one of my best days Nymphing a seldom fished stretch of Morgan Run. Me and my father had fished it a few days earlier and we were surprised to find so many Browns this far away from the more popular pools and glides that get hammered day after day. These fish however were somewhat wiser than the rest of their stocked brethren placing themselves in strategic lies right out of a book on "Reading The Water". The stretch was classic pocket-water and in order to be successful I would need to ditch the indicator, read the currents, and use a fly that would plummet to the bottom. I plucked a size 14. Czech Catnip from the box and began brushing up on my Tuck Cast. I could see the trout darting back and forth rhythmically feeding in his "Prime-Lie", taunting me. Finally I dropped my nymph a little farther upstream in a seam I hadn't tried yet, and as if propelled by a conveyor belt I watched 

as it shot right into the fishes lie! He took my nymph and the rest is history as they say. I've since developed this pattern for similar situations. Although the Czech Catnip still gets plenty of use I've found this pattern sinks a little quicker thanks to the slim profile created by the Embroidery Floss abdomen. And since the trout may only have seconds to decide whether to eat the fly or not, the segmentation the materials create is enough to convince them...Sometimes!

Hook: Partridge CZN sz.14-16

Thread: Olive Uni 8/0

Bead: 1/8th inch Black Tungsten

Underbody: Two layers Veniard Extra Fine Flat Lead

Abdomen: DMC Embroidery Floss Chartreuse

Inner- Rib: Sz. Small UTC Ultra Wire Chartreuse

Outer-Rib: 5x Mono

Shellback: Olive ScudBack

Thorax: UV Black Micro Polar Chenille

Extras: Olive and Brown Waterproof markers to "Mottle" shellback

Articulated "Scrap Pile" Sculpin Pattern

I threw this guy together last night with bits and pieces from the scrap pile on my tying desk. I have gotten myself in the habit of saving all the cut ends and little bits of feathers and materials that would otherwise end up in the trash. Alot of people start tying flies under the misconception that it's cheaper than buying them, it's really not. Especially if you tie as much and as many flies as I do! Whether your tying flies to sell, or just for yourself I encourage you to be frugal with your materials. Enjoy!

Rear Portion:

Hook: Any 4x Long Straight Eye Streamer Hook (with a large enough eye to accept the articulated shank) sz. 4-6

Thread: Olive UTC 140 

Tail: Black Barred Olive Zonker Strip

Body: Black Barred Olive Zonker Strip (cross-cut if you got em')

Collar: Black Schlappen

Front Portion:

35mm Articulated Shank

Thread: Olive UTC 140

Body: Black Barred Olive Zonker Strip

Wing: Clump of Sculpin Olive Sculpin Wool (reverse tied then folded back)

Legs: Rubber Legs (I use old jig and spinnerbait skirts)

Pectoral Fins: Brown Hen Saddle Feathers

Collar: Black Schlappen (I used olive here but meant to use black)

Head: Olive Sculpin Helmet Size Small

Para-Loop Light Hendrickson

Here's a Para-Loop style or "Hackle-Stacker" type Light Hendrickson I tied up. Instead of using standard hackle I opt for CDC instead. Not only does it look better I think, leaving a beautiful footprint for the trout, but it also makes this style of fly easier to tie. After preparing the CDC with either the Marc Petitjean Magic Tool or Bull Dog clip simply split your thread and insert the fibers. After that, spin your thread like you would a dubbing loop and wrap up and back down your mono post. A search on YouTube for Hackle Stacker or Para-Loop Fly Tying yields lots of tying videos that will explain this method of hackling your flies better than I can. It's a great technique to have in your tiers bag of tricks and can spice up not only your Mayflies but your Caddis, Midges, and Terrestrials as well.

Hook: Tiemco 100 sized to match natural

Thread: Uni 8/0 in Rusty Brown

Tails: Microfibbets

Abdomen: Turkey Biot dyed Hendrickson

Post/Loop: Mono

Hackle: CDC dyed Wood-Duck

Thorax: Tan Hare's Ear

Wing: Gray Poly Yarn

Czech Nymph Using New Caddis Backs From JSON Sweden

Fly tiers of today have at their disposal a dizzying array of materials with which to craft flies. From genetic hackle to ultra-realistic synthetics we're able to tie flies our forefathers would have loved to have had in their boxes. One such company producing these ultra-real materials is JSON Sweden. From wing materials that make your mayflies look as though they can take flight to legs and bodies that make your nymphs look like they might crawl out of your box, they have it all. I personally think some of their patterns are better suited for a frame than the trout stream but when I saw their Caddis Backs I had to see what they could do for one of my Czech nymphs. In the end it's the Trout's opinion that matters and a standard pattern still works just as well. But it's fun to experiment with all the new stuff that's available to us and if you have a little extra money pick some up!

Hook: Partridge CZF sz.14
Thread: Olive Uni 8/0
Underbody: 3 Layers Veniard Lead Foil
Shellback: JSON Caddis Back size small
Rib: 5x Mono
Body: 4 Part Blend of Caddis Green Ice Dub, Caddis Green Hare's Ear, Green Antron, and Mint Antron
HotSpot: Big Horn Pink Wapsi Sow-Scud Dubbing
Thorax: 2 Part Blend Black Hare's Ear, and Dark Stone Antron
Extras: Green and Black Permanent Marker to Color Caddis Back

Another Bellyache Minnow Variation

     Here's another variation of the Bellyache Minnow. It has almost replaced the Clouser Minnow as my go-to baitfish imitation when chasing Bass as well as Trout. Notice I said "Almost" as the Clouser still has a few dedicated rows in my streamer box. But the Bellyache Minnow really shines in the water. The original pattern uses one of Hareline's Ribbed Tungsten Scud Bodies to turn the shank over inverting the hook. I use dumbell eyes instead which not only assure the fly rides hook point up, but combined with the Zonker strip tail, give the fly a great jigging action when bounced along the bottom.

Hook: Gamakatsu B10S sz. 4-6
Thread: White Uni 6/0
Eyes: Small Lead Dumbell
Tail: Pearl Ice Dub (straighten the fibers and tie them on top of shank)
"Wing": Black Barred Olive Zonker Strip
Body: Pear Ice Dub (spun in dubbing loop and combed out)
Head: Ice Dub Minnow Belly (spun in dubbing loop, combed out, and blended into body)

My Most Productive Jig Nymph

     CDC is an almost magical material among fly tiers. If it weren't from a regular old duck, from around it's butt nonetheless, we might imagine it coming from some mythical creature. It is prized for it's floatation capabilities which are often falsely attributed to Preen Oil from the ducks Preen Gland. In actuality it's the structure of the feather itself and it's many tiny filaments that make it so buoyant. It just so happens that these attributes also make it look great underwater and maybe even better than it does floating on top.
     Lately I've been using more and more Snowshoe Rabbit in my dry fly patterns that before called for CDC. And rather than let all that CDC go to waste I've been incorporating it into my nymphs, wet-flies, and even small streamers (see my post on the Bastard Bugger). The jig nymph below is one such example of this. It's one of those patterns that makes me wonder why I carry hundreds of flies with me when I fish. It's one of those "confidence flies" we hear people talk about, for me anyway. I know it will catch fish and because of that I spend my time on the water focused on "how" I'm fishing instead of "what" I'm fishing. Tie a few up!

Hook: Umpqua C400 BL sz.14
Thread: Brown Veevus 16/0
Bead: 7/64th Slotted Gold Tungsten
Tails: 3 Fibers of Moose Body Hair Split
Body: Brown D-Rib
Thorax: Brown CDC Spun In Dubbing Loop
Wingcase: Black UTC Flashback Tinsel
Collar: A Pinch Of Brown SLF Spikey Squirrel (Just enough to cover up excess thread wraps from tying off the dubbing loop and wingcase)

The Big Minnow That Can (Catch Fish)

Here's an articulated baitfish pattern using the new articulated shanks from Flymen Fishing Company. When using these shanks to tie "trailer hook" style articulated flies, like the one I'm about to show you, it is important that you use a straight eye hook with a large enough eye. Frustration from not being able to find such a hook, and being at least 30-45 minutes away from a flyshop, led me to my local Dick's Sporting Goods one evening to find one that would work in a pinch. Anyone who is familiar with some of the flies tied by Jim Misiura knows that all kinds of hooks meant for spin fishing work great for fly tying. So it was with this "think outside the box" mentality, and a sample shank to test fit, I made my way into the hook isle. I ended up purchasing a pack of the "Flippin" hooks from VMC and so far so good. These hooks do require slight modification however. They come with a plastic bait keeper molded around the shank which must be removed. A pair of pliers or hemostats makes quick work of breaking it off. Just grip the plastic with the pliers and twist the hook being careful to not bend the shank. Once it's removed there is also a small barb used to keep the plastic on that must be mashed down. Happy tying!

REAR PORTION:
Hook: VMC "Flippin" hook sz. 1/0
Thread: White Uni 6/0
Tail: Grey Zonker strip
Body: Pear Estaz
Hackle: White Schlappen
Palmer the Schlappen through the body making sure to get a few turns of the fluffier fibers, at the base of the feather, up front.

FRONT PORTION:
35mm Articulated Shank
Thread: White Uni 6/0
Body: Pearl Estaz
Hackle: White Schlappen
Wing: Grey Zonker Strip
Eyes: Lead Dumbell
Head: Grey Senyo's Laser Dub

The Little Minnow That Could (Catch a Fish)

Here's a quick baitfish pattern I came up with more or less to get acquainted with Senyo's Laser Dub. It's a spin-off of the Bellyache Minnow which I've become a big fan of when chasing all kinds of warmwater creatures that inhabit the little farm ponds and reservoirs around me. I have another variation of this pattern as well as a much larger articulated version to show you as well so stay tuned!

Hook: Gamakatsu B10S size 4-6
Thread: White Uni 6/0
Eyes: Lead Dumbell
Tail: Pearl Ice Dub ( Straighten the fibers and tie them on the shank like any other material )
Body: Pearl Ice Dub spun in a dubbing loop and combed out
"Wing": Grey Zonker Strip
Head: Grey Senyo's Laser Dub

Simple Crayfish Pattern

While browsing around a local flyshop I stumbled upon a material from Wapsi called Buggy Nymph Yarn. It's a fine diameter multi-colored yarn which comes in a variety of colors. I purchased a pack of Crawdad Orange colored yarn in hopes of using it for some crayfish patterns. Well that was more than a year ago and it wasn't until recently that I came across it while organizing my tying desk. So I whipped up this pattern borrowing bits and pieces from other crayfish patterns I've tied in the past. Enjoy!

Hook: Streamer size 6-4, use a wide gape hook if possible.
Thread: Uni 8/0 in Rusty Brown
Eyes: Lead Dumbell
Claws: Rusty Brown Zonker Strips "mottled" with brown permanent marker
Antennae: Brown Round Rubber Legs
Legs: Brown Schlappen
Body: Buggy Nymph Yarn in Crawdad Orange
Carapace/Shellback: Medium Brown Antron Yarn
Rib: Brown UTC Copper Wire

Tying Notes: You may want to coat the carapace with epoxy or my favorite Liquid Fusion. A UV Light Cured adhesive such as BugBond or CCG would also work great.

The Bastard Bugger

Every year I spend my birthday fly fishing. On October 10th you'll find me stalking trout on any one of Maryland's wonderful trout streams, sometimes two! October 10th is also right in the middle of fall trout stocking here in Maryland so chances are whatever stream I go to has some easily fooled hatchery trout swimming around in it. It's become a tradition of sorts which now includes tying a few new patterns to take along the night before.
This year I decided to go to Owens Creek, a small freestone stream located in Maryland's beautiful Catoctin Mountains. There is one particularly picturesque pool I planned to fish if only for an awesome photo-op. I arrived at the pool and found a group of dreaded bait-fisherman. The water was very clear and from my parking spot I watched the bright new Rainbow trout spook as the giant sinkers and golf ball size bobbers of the bait guys crashed down. I reluctantly got out and starting rigging up my gear. The 3 fisherman left shortly thereafter. I would like to think the sight of this professional assembling his rod and tying intricate knots made them think twice about continuing to fish. Regardless I was glad they left although not to optimistic about my chances of catching my birthday fish.
I tied on the freshly tied Bastard Bugger and walked down to the pool. A few false casts later and my fly landed across the pool and I paused a few seconds allowing it sink. Two short strips of the line later I watch as a trout, who was previously fearing for his life , darted from ten feet away to inhale my fly. I set the hook and brought to net my birthday trout! I have since used this fly on lots of streams and have discovered swinging it to be even more deadly as well as dead-drifting it Czech Nymph style. I'm convinced the CDC collar has a lot to do with it's effectiveness and maybe the UV sheen of the Micro Polar Chenile body. Tie some up and catch some fish!

Recipe:
Hook- Streamer or Nymph size 12 to 10
Thread- 8/0 Black
Tail- Black Marabou
Flash- 2 pieces of black Crystal Flash tied either side of the tail
Body- Black UV Micro Polar Chenille
Collar- Black CDC
Weight- Black Tungsten Bead with lead wire underbody.

Tying notes: I like the tail to be a little longer than the hook shank to give the marabou the most action underwater. Also, I typically use two CDC feathers for the collar. CDC is delicate and you will loose fibers while catching and releasing fish.

Stream of Consciousness Mission Statement

Much like the streams and rivers we fish flow, so to do our lives. Rushing over and around " Rocky " patches and slowing into calmer glides, so to do our lives. Sometimes low or reduced to a mere trickle and other times high and turbid the flow remains constant. It is in this flow or " Stream " as it were where we live.
This blog showcases my interests, my " Stream of Consciousness ". Art and Angling are my passions and it is my hope that through blogging I can share them with you. I will show you the flies I'm tying and how and where I fish them. Also paintings and drawings I'm working on. So thanks for visiting and check back often, much more to come!
- Jonathan

F.Y.I : I will try to post as often as I can and at least once a week. This is my first blog and I am running it from my IPhone and my Kindle Fire. It will be a learn as I go endeavor so hopefully it will get better as I go on. Also, I'm in the process of getting better lenses for the IPhone which will improve the photography.