Tuesday, February 21, 2017

Fly Tying - Barr's Hare Copper and Holy Grail Caddis

The tying continues.


The Barr's Hare Copper's were a success last year, so those were tied to replace lost flies.  Similar to the Copper John, a simpler tail of partridge allows for an easier tie, two-toned wire ribbing gives the fly a little more detail and the natural hares ear dubbing thorax lightens the overall color of this nymph imitation. 



Similar to the Guide's Choice Hare's Ear, the Holy Grail Caddis is a wet-fly style caddis pattern that provides for a significant amount of bugginess in a relatively easy tie.  Definitely fun to tie up.



The Holy Grail Caddis will be new for me this year, but should at least make a good spring offering on one of the local creeks.

I'm not sure what the next tie is going to be, but there's still some room in the boxes, so something needs to fill that vacancy.  The warm weather in Denver has me thinking of spring, but it's still at least a month until real spring starts.  Which means there are still a few more weeks to get a few more patterns prepared.  Good luck in preparation for your spring.



Monday, February 6, 2017

Edit - East Vail, Colorado - Fly Fishing

The last few weeks have allowed for a review of footage and memories of fly fishing for trout in the mountains of Colorado during the summer of 2016.  It's always a pleasure to have the opportunity not only to fish, but to relive those warm summer days on a cold winter night with a nice porter or stout.


Here is a quick edit of one of those days from last summer that I am enjoying reliving.  A day on Gore Creek in East Vail, Colorado.  Most of my fly fishing is deep in the woods with trees choking the stream, but this creek is wide open with a bike path, runners, families and developments lining the banks.  No less enjoyable than my typical experience, this creek runs cold and clear in the fall with a nice mix of cutthroat trout, brook trout and from what I have seen (but not caught) brown and rainbow trout as well.


I hope you enjoy the edit and if you get the chance to be on the west side of Vail Pass, you might consider stopping in to say hi to some of these friendly Colorado trout as well.