Filling Up

Lately I've been trying to catch up on my neglected tying. Sometime in December I put together a list of all the flies I'd like to have in my boxes before the summer hit. Well, summer's just around the corner and I haven't checked too many off my list. Tonight's project was yellow & orange Stimulators.

Yellow/Orange

Orange/Orange

Half a dozen down

 I'll keep after it, but it definitely won't be cutting into my fishing time! Hope you can get out and enjoy the water.

- Kidder

Mod. Hare's Ear

One of my go-to flies to use for a dropper is my Mod. Hare's Ear and I thought some of you'd like to know what the crap I've been talking about. I'm not claiming this to be some kind of a break though fly, in fact I'm sure several others have probably "invented" this fly too, but here's my take on it.

Hook: Allen N203, #10-16

Thread:Uni-Thread 6/0

Bead:Gold, size to match hook

Dubbing:Dazl Hares Ear Natural Hares Ear

Rib:Small Ultra Wire, gold

Shellback:Pheasant Tail 

I put 4 wraps of lead behind the bead, lay down a thread base and attach the rib wire.

Then dub a tapered body to about a bead and a halfs worth shy of the bead.

Tie in 7-10 pheasant tail fibers at the thorax. Make sure you have enough hanging left to form a tail one body's length.

Use the rib wire to lash down the pheasant fibers on top of the body. Then barber-pole the wire forward to create the rib.

Secure the wire and helicopter it out (or cut it, if that's what you're more comfortable with).

Dub the thorax heavy and pull the pheasant fibers over to form the wingcase. I've added legs of pheasant tail fibers at this point, but normally I don't (it just doesn't seem to make much of a difference). Just whip finish and it's ready to fish.

It's a pattern that you can tie up a bunch in a hurry. I seem to use a lot of 'em in #12s and #14s.

Works nice in other colors too.

 Tie up a bunch & get out there and enjoy the water. I know I'm itching to.

- Kidder

Fast Forward

The past few weeks have flown by without a break and it seems like I just can't find any extra time to wet a line. The rod & vest have been in my car for a couple of days, but I can't even seem to pull myself away for a lunchtime quickie. Even though its been all high and dry for me, I thought I'd drop a line and fill you in on the goings on around here. 

To start the month I went on tour with my Band and Choir classes to Anaheim, California. After performing in a festival (they did very well) and spending the obligatory time with the over-sized rodents we managed to spend a nice evening on the beach.

They're in a different season down there

Rodents of Unusual Size 

The wife really liked the ocean. It was her first time.

Trying to be the responsible guy that my wife wishes she married, I decided to change the oil in our truck. Too bad Murphy's a jerk and the plug in the oil pan sheared off. Apparently this has happened before (when??) so they couldn't fix it and had to replace the entire pan. Yeah, the bill put a huge dent in the "Oh Shit" fund and sent me back to working weekends trying to make up the difference. 

Found another place to sneak away from work

Tomorrow I'll spend yet another Saturday not fishing (still working to get our finances back in-line) but there is hope on the horizon. Being a teacher has its advantages and the much anticipated Summer Break is right around the corner. Can't wait to feel the tug again. Hope you can get out and enjoy the water.

- Kidder