March 2014 – Mike’s Emerger

This fly was shown to me quite a few years ago by friend and PWTU member Mike Hedgedus. He developed it to meet the often frustrating fishing encountered during caddis emergences. This easy to tie pattern has proved successful for me and has become a permanent addition to my fly

February 2014 – Crippled Caddis

This pattern was created by West Yellowstone guide Rowan Nyman to be an imitator of defective emerging caddis. I have also had success using it as a general searcher/attractor. The wing is tied in at the normal position.. The butts are left long as shown in the photo. The wing

January 2014 – Buzz Ball

Gary LaFontaine created this simple pattern to represent a small clump of midges. During heavy hatches of these diminutive insects trout will switch from taking individual flies and grab a mating cluster when it floats by. This fly in sizes 12 and 14 can be very effective in that situation.

December 2012 – Variant Spinner

A good imitation for mayfly spinners particularly in size 12 and larger is the Variant. By changing body and hackle color a large number of spinner falls can be matched. High quality hackle should be used and tied slightly over sized. This hackle should be tied in slightly forward of

November 2012 – Isonychia Thorax

From late May on, if I arrive at the Lackawaxen just as the water level is dropping after power generation, I’ve found that the Isonychia Thorax works well on sporadically rising trout. This style of dry fly presents a realistic silhouette and provides a stable upright float. When tying, the

October 2012 – March Brown Spinner

Some years ago, after experiencing a tremendous March Brown spinner fall on the Willowemoc, I developed this fly to meet the situation. The Willowemoc has fallen on hard times lately, but good March Brown activity can be found on other area streams including the Lackawaxen. Begin the fly by tying

September 2012 – Wright’s Royal

While he was owner of The Compleat Fly Fisher shop in Wise River Montana, Phil Wright developed this attractor for fishing the Big Hole River. I believe that one of the reasons for its success is due to the fact that it is actually a good imitation of a flying

August 2012 – March Brown DOA

One day, while fishing the Lackie with fellow TU members Paul Kurinec and Bob Dunstan, Al Bowers came up to fish with us. Al’s only problem was he forgot his waders. I’ve had the misfortune of doing this myself, it sure is the quickest way to ruin a day of

July 2012 – Madison Midge

July 2012 – Madison Midge Sometimes simplicity is the answer. While fishing the Madison in August 1992, I encountered a hatch of #16 cream colored midges. The fish were picky and refused most imitations I threw at them. Luckily, I had tied some flies recommended by Gary LaFontaine in his

June 2012 – Red Quill

One of the early hatches in our area are the Hendricksons (Ephemerella subvaria). They usually start to hatch around the opening day of trout season and can last for about the next 3 weeks. Art Flick, in his classic book, Art Flick’s Streamside Guide To Naturals And Their Imitations, wrote

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