The "Electric Slider" Frog

     This adaptation of the classic Gartside Gurgler has been a great fly for me this Summer. Anyone who chases Bass on top with a fly rod should be familiar with Jack Gartsides legendary fly which is arguably the most effective surface fly ever created. As with most classic flies of this caliber the imitations are endless and anglers from freshwater to salt all have a version they like to fish. This is my version   and here's how I like to fish it. Much like "Target Shooting" with a streamer I like to cast it as tight to cover as I can and strip it back like my life (or the poor little frog's life in this case) depended on it! The wire weedguard allows me to cast right into brush piles, fallen timber, pads, grass, anywhere bass like to hide and ambush fleeing prey. Another great way to fish it is to cast it right onto the bank then hop it off. If a fish doesn't strike after it plops down strip it back and pause it every so often to give any fish tracking it a chance to pounce. Mix it up to find the presentation that works and be prepared for some vicious strikes!

Hook: 3/0 Gamakatsu Weedless Worm 

Thread: Chartreuse UTC 140

Legs: Olive Bucktail over Chartreuse split and posted to form the legs

Underbody: UV Chartreuse Micro Polar Chenille

Overbody: 2mm Chartreuse Craft Foam (I like to dress up the top with permanent markers)

Eyes: Doll Eyes

Mr. Bubble CDC Caddis

     This Caddis pattern has been sitting on my tying desk for a while now. I wasn't sure what to do with it honestly. It wasn't until recently when I was getting my gear together for a trip to the Gunpowder River that I decided what the hell and stuck it in my box. I'm sure glad I did. 

     We arrived at the river and were greeted by an angler who had just finished fishing. He recommended olive streamers so I tied on an olive Bastard Bugger and made my way down the trail to the boulder pools above Falls Road. I nicked a few fish including one hefty brown that took me into the white water and got loose. The sub-surface bite slowed as the sun came out so we made our way upstream where I was greeted by another angler who was confronted with a unique situation. He explained that the fish were taking Caddis despite the fact there were none coming off or any seen buzzing around. He was taking fish on a standard Elk Hair Caddis and I remembered the bubble wing Caddis I had brought along. So to make a long story short I plucked it out from my box and after a liberal application of Dry Shake went on to catch fish for the rest of the day. Tie a few up, they only require two materials if you count the thread, they float like a buoy, are easy to see, and as Oliver Edwards would say "They work a treat!"

Hook: Tiemco 100 sz. 12-18

Thread: Uni 8/0 in Tan

Wing: 3 pieces of CDC, One light colored piece for the underwing and two darker pieces tied "Bubble Wing" style

Abdomen: Dubbed CDC

Thorax: CDC, touch dubbed, spun in a split thread dubbing loop, or wound as a hackle

Underside, Über Buggy

BBW Bass Fly

     Along with the weather the Bass fishing has been heating up these past few weeks. I was wondering a few days ago why I haven't been tying a whole lot lately, then I remembered. I've been fishing! I live within ten minutes of 5 top notch ponds and all have been producing quality fish. However, due to the weather the shallow water opportunities of spring have passed. Local anglers of all disciplines have had to fish deeper to locate fish trying to beat the heat.

      The BBW or "Braided Body Worm" shown here is one pattern I've had success with recently. The tail of the worm is created by braiding two pieces of standard chenille with a length of Estaz or crystal chenille. It also features a bright foam tip that suspends the end of the tail when jigged or hopped along the bottom. Tie some up and experiment with different colors of chenille to match the water conditions in your area.

Hook: 3/0 Gamakatsu Weedless Worm Hook

Thread: Olive UTC 140

Weight: Lead Wire and Black Lead Dumbell Eyes

Tail/Body: 2 Strands standard Olive Chenille and 1 strand Medium Olive Crystal Chenille braided "Pony-Tail" style

Worm Tip: 2mm Craft Foam

Collar: Olive Schlappen

Head: Medium Olive Crystal Chenille