On The Fly

"Fly tying is a school from which we never graduate"

TYING NEWS
  The Oregon Council of the Federation of Fly Fishers will hold its 17th annual NW Fly Tiers Expo on Saturday, March 26th in Eugene, OR at the fairgrounds. More than 175 of the best tiers from all over the country will be demonstrating their skills and talent. Don't miss this event. You won't be disappointed.

  The Southern Oregon Fly Tiers held their monthly meeting Thursday, February 24th at the Rogue River Library. Seventeen members attended the 2-hour session, which included a fly exchange, a raffle, a mystery fly challenge by Rusty Randall, and a Dick Bonamarte demonstration of the difficult Muddler Minnow. Best of all there was the free exchange of valuable knowledge and techniques that make the art of fly tying what it is today. We ended the meeting by presenting a special "Most Enlightened Tier Award" to Dick Bonamarte. After seeing the award itself, all agreed that it was well deserved. Ask Dick about this prestigious honor next time you see him.

PATTERN OF THE MONTH -
Stayner Ducktail

Hook - 3X long nymph hook, size 4-12.
Thread - Black 6/0.
Tail - Orange hackle fibers.
Body - Olive chenille or dubbing.
Rib - Oval gold tinsel.
Hackle - Orange or rust brown.
Wing - Duck flank.

Tying Instructions:
1) Start by wrapping a thread base on the hook shank to a point above the barb.
2) Tie in a tail consisting of a small bunch of orange hackle fibers the length of the hook shank.
3) Tie in the gold oval tinsel and the olive chenille body materials.
4) Wind the chenille to about the ¾ point on the shank.
5) Wrap four even turns of the tinsel as ribbing and tie off at the ¾ point.
6) Tie in the hackle feather at the ¾ point and wrap four turns and tie off.
7) Tie in a wing consisting of a bunch of duck flank feathers on top of the shank. The tips should reach to end of tail.
8) Form the head, whip finish and cement.
Note: The hackle can be tied in as a beard. Try both versions.

  This streamer pattern was developed in the 1920's by Ruel Stayner in Idaho and was originally designed to take perch in the many excellent stillwater fisheries around his home area. Ruel owned and operated a sporting goods store down the street from our own Dick Bonamarte's motel in Twin Falls, Idaho. According to Dick, the Stayner Ducktail not only caught perch but "ripped their lips" on the large trout of Magic Reservoir and Henry's Lake. Between the 1950's and the 1980's, Stillwater enthusiasts like Ruel from Idaho developed a number of effective fly patterns for arid-country reservoirs on which they popularized the use of float tubes. Guys like Ruel, Dick, and Marv Taylor were just a few of many anglers that made up the early Idaho Float Tube Navy, as Dick calls it. We can thank these "pioneers of the pond" for many of the stillwater float tube patterns and techniques we enjoy today.

  Mr. Bonamarte recommends a size 6-8 hook having a 3-4X long shank, no weight, a sinking line, and a 6-7 foot leader. You can cast it out and do a 6-inch stripping return or just troll it. A blonde version of the Ducktail can be tied by using tan chenille for the body. Tie some up for the coming stillwater season. Take them on a test flight and let me know how they worked for you.

TYING TIPS - Fast Water, Slow Water
  I'm sure all of you tiers are busy tying up patterns for the upcoming season. When you choose patterns consider where these flies will be used. A caddis fly, for example, is often tied full and bushy for fast water conditions so it will float high and can be seen in turbulent water. Slow water conditions, on the other hand, dictate the same caddis fly be imitated with a sparser more realistic dressing. No matter what the pattern, it's a good idea to prepare some of each style when you get your material out for a tying session.

Tie One On,
Dan Kellogg (you can contact me at FLYGUY@EZNORTHWEST.COM)