If you need a dry fly for all occasions, this is your baby! Randall Kaufmann’s X-Stimulator can resemble insects ranging from a caddis fly to a stonefly to a grasshopper. It floats well and works great in moving water presented as a terrestial slapping it as a bug would hit the water after the wind grabbed it! This was my first attempt at tying one and will continue to put a few of these in my box, Tight lines! PM
I give you my latest creation! A streamer pattern designed after the Matuka. Originally the name Matuka came from a species of bird in New Zealand whose plumage was first used for this pattern. The term Matuka is now used for this particular style of streamer wing. Tied like a dorsal fin running the length of the fly’s body, the wing produces an attractive silhouette and plenty of movement. The main advantage is that the wing cannot wrap around the hook bend like a standard streamer wing so it always swims perfectly! A body made of chenile, a material that produces a chunky effect, enhances the dense outline. It is a versatile pattern that can suggest anything from small fish to larger invertebrates!
I took a quick trip up to one of my favorite places to Flyfish last night. Me and my good friend Kevin Lewis drove up to the Sierra just outside Yosemite Park for some Fall fishing. The waters were very low and the fish were not as numerous as I had hoped for, but still I was able to catch and release about 6 pretty trout in a couple hours. We stayed overnight and drove back after a couple cups of strong coffee. The night was very peaceful and the shooting stars were so stunning with the full milky way in view. We enjoyed a few good laughs and a cigar while talking about our crazy past and wondering what the next few years will bring us. Kevin and I have been friends since I was about 9 and still remain like brothers. Good times! They are as close as a 3 hour drive and long as 24 hours if we just take the time.
I love this season for flyfishing for several reasons. First of all the summer crowds have died down since school is in and it’s still before ski season leaving fantastic open rivers with little fishing pressure. The fish are consuming a ton of insects as they prepare for winter and that means more catches! I have been tying a few flies that I’m excited to try including the October Caddis. The season closes for many of our rivers on November 15th so it’s time to get out there and fish now while opportunity knocks! Tight lines! PM
I tied this pattern today and have used this fly frequently up on some of the rivers around Yosemite. It works well, but I have never tied it and used one of my own. Now it’s time to see how well my own version works. Last time I went out the Caddis pattern I tied worked really nice so I am jazzed about adding another fly to my repertoire!
Take me to the woods deep into the forest with tall pines and thick smells of mountain sweetness coupled with frying trout and strong black coffee. Here men get to be men while they play their wild at heart games under the shooting stars and rushing rivers. You can absorb God’s touch as He allows light to unfold around you in the morning sun where it parts through the ponderosa and aspen waking the jay and insects reminding you of time. Here is where I want to be. Here in my element. Here in our national forests…
Connie and I came across two bears during the day as we were camping. This one (The bigger of the two) was just cruising through the campgrounds and we happened to be nearby. The second one was smaller, but some unthinking campers didn’t use the provided bear lockers for their food and paid dearly as the bear had his way with everything they left out. He even destroyed a cooler that only had water in it. I guess once you get ‘em started they figure you are leaving them anything that’s lying around. The bears are not a threat, but they are wild and you need to respect their power. If you use the designated lockers then you have no need to fear. I guess the warnings all over the place and the lockers provided were not enough warning for those unlucky campers, but I bet you they will use them from now on!
