Steve and Ken perfecting the Sulphur Nymph
As reported, we’ve had a major system crash and lost all of our emails and contacts. If you have been trying to contact us in the last week, we have not been able to recieve or send. Please use this NEW ADDRESS to contact us. We apologize for the inconvenience. eric@ericstroupflyfishing.com
Charlie and Mike were out a few months ago and filmed this video at my fly tying bench. Tie up a few and be ready because before you know it, the fish will be looking up again…
Patriot Materials list
Hook: #12-18 Dry fly
Thread: 6/0 Bright Orange-Red
Tail: Brown hackle fibers
Body: Smolt-blue Krystal Flash with thread midrib
Hackle: Brown
Wings: White calf-body hair
It was a cold day in the bird fields on Saturday as Blue and I headed to Sinking Valley for our hunt at Tom Crawfords Hillendale Hunt Club. Our Hunters were from Richmond Virginia and I wasn’t sure how they would handle the cold, but Blue was ready as always. Fifty Five birds up, on the counter-Twenty nine dead. Great Day!
Due to the snow, our Saturday morning fly tying session was cancelled, and so I began the winters task of tying next seasons bugs. I always start tying hatches in the order they appear, so that I don’t end up with 60 dozen sulphurs in April and not enough grannoms or olives when I need them most.
These are the standard patterns that I’m never without during the grannom hatch, and of course, there are always a few patterns each year that are either new or experimental. In addition to these, there are many patterns that I like for the egg layers, but I’ve not included them. The patterns shown here will catch fish throughout the entire hatch and I have not yet seen the day where I had to have an eggsack on my pattern to have success. If we ever reach that point, trust me; we’re in trouble!
The top pattern is the dry fly I use most often. It is a CDC / deer hair pattern that I have had alot of success with over the years.
Peacock & Partridge Soft Hackle
These patterns are extremely effective in the surface film when fish are rising. They both impart alot of movement which I think is key during this hatch, and the soft hackle is a great imitation for the emerger, or a struggling adult.
The next pattern shown is a La Fontaine Sparkle Caddis and there may not be a better pattern out there for an emerging caddis. Take a look at the following photos that i’ve collected over the past few seasons, and you’ll see why this pattern works so well.
La Fontaine Sparkle Pupa
The last fly is the Peeking Caddis. This pattern was introduced to me about four or five years ago by Ron McGraw and it is deadly. Now one thing that should be noted is that grannoms pupate in their case. In other words, when they emerge out of their case, they do so as a winged adult. That is why the soft hackle patterns work so well for them. Many people fish a green caddis larva during the grannoms with alot of success, but it’s not because the grannom is out crawling around, it’s because the rock worms are also very active once the photosynthesis begins to occur with the spring sun. This picture is of the Rock Worm, not to be confused with the Grannom Larva, but a major reason why bright green is so effective.
Rock Worm
Grannom Larva in case
Grannom pulled out of case
Peeking Caddis Pattern
April 23, 2008 Little Juniata River
Make sure you have plenty of bugs for this hatch, it is no-doubt, one of our best hatches!
We will be tying all of these patterns in our weekend tying sessions held every Saturday at our home in Spruce Creek. Give us a call by Thursday to let us know you’re coming. Plenty of coffee, conversation, snacks and materials!
As always, if you have any questions or comments, please feel free to call
The Spruce Creek Fly Co will be at the Eastern Outdoor Show with our Montana host ranch UPPER CANYON OUTFITTERS. If you are in the area stop by the booth to find out more information on Fly Fishing southwest Montana and our special destination package to UCO. Donna and Jake McDonald will be at the show from Feb 7 – 15 in booths #6916 Hunting section and Booth #452 in the fishing section. Eric and I will be there February 11th thru February 13th. The show is located in the Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg, PA. Hope to see you there!
My background is in the health and wellness industry. It has been my way of life and career for the past 25 years. My idea of exercise is a planned workout and good nutrition. Upon meeting my husband, it was a great surprise to me, that the ‘job’ he did everyday was in itself…a workout. Fly Fishing is usually not thought of as ‘exercise’ but the duration of the day, wading through high waters, balance, endurance, hydration and nutrition are all contributing factors that can make or break a great day of fishing. The physical ability of the angler can enhance or detract from a great day of fishing. If you are not physically able to get to the prime spot, unable to sustain the duration of the day or unstable in the water, causing a lot of commotion and scaring the fish your day on the water may not constitute a ‘great day on the water’.
A recent adventure to Montana allowed me to experience firsthand not being prepared for specific conditions of a sport. I was ‘scouting’ for an outfitter in Southwest Montana during the hunting season and having difficulty breathing. I was not acclimated to the high altitude and initially found the hikes challenging. This experience stimulated the thought process in my head! If someone in fairly good shape found High Altitude Hunting challenging, how would a sedentary person who enjoys this great sport feel when they embark on the hunt? Their experience and success would be greatly decreased due to lack of preparation. I should have trained for the experience more sport specifically…BEFORE I traveled out west. I now offer a High Altitude Conditioning program for Big Game Hunting out west. The program is designed to be performed during the off season to get in and stay in shape for on season! Fly Fishing is no exception. A stagnant winter will lead to the de-conditioning of the muscles, balance, core strength and skill that is crucial for a ‘good day on the water’. Staying in or getting in shape during the ‘off season’ will definitely enhance your fly fishing season.
Preparing for the season:
Several physical components are utilized during a day of fly fishing. Muscular endurance is one such component. Wading in high waters is difficult, especially if you have been stagnant for the entire winter. Not only do you have to wade in the streams but you do it for hours on end. Conditioning for the duration will build muscular endurance, decrease muscular soreness and the potential for injury.
Balance is another physical component and probably the most neglected of all the components of fitness for any sport. But for fly fishing wading out into deep waters across slick rocks having good balance is key. Falling in may feel good on a hot day and be quite entertaining to your fishing buddies but it can definitely be a bummer if you scare off a good pocket of fish or worse injure yourself! Incorporating balance activities in your off season training will help with the unstable conditions fly fishing provides and even enhance everyday activities.
Core strength may be a term you are familiar with in the fitness industry but did you know fly fishing’s center physical component is good core strength. The ability to stabilize the spine requires core strength and enhances all the other physical factors of fly fishing. It will allow for better balance for wading and casting. The ‘effort’ put forth to stay vertical will be less so your endurance will be greater. An off season core strengthening program, sport specific for fly fishing will have tremendous value for your health and fly fishing success.
Nutrition:
Let’s face it…we treat our cars better than we treat our bodies. Days on the water are long…especially on a hot, sunny day. You would never drive your car all day long and not fuel up. Your body functions quite the same way. Carrying snacks and eating throughout the day will provide the energy and nutrients you need to make it through the duration of the day. When selecting snacks think NUTRIENT DENSE not CALORIE DENSE. Nuts, fruits and granola bars are just a few suggestions of foods easily portable and will last through the day. They will have the highest nutrient value and give you a great base of vitamins/minerals and fuel for your day on the water.
Hydration:
I can’t express the importance of proper hydration. Water is the medium of every process in the body. It is essential in vitamin processing, muscular recovery and organ functioning. Keep in mind the body will pull water from non-essential parts (muscles/joints) to hydrate essential parts (organs). This process can lead to fatigue and musculoskeletal injuries that will certainly detract from a great fishing experience. Dehydration can ZAP ones energy. And energy is what you need to sustain throughout the day. Increase water intake NOW…prior to your scheduled guided experience to deter dehydration. Limit alcohol, caffeine, antihistamines and other products that ‘strip’ the body of water. I recommend consuming half your body weight in ounces per day in water. This process can be achieved over a thirty day-building up- period. If this amount is not possible, drink enough to cause urination at least every three to four hours.
All the above activities and suggestions should be put together in a structured program specific to your medical history, exercise history, current physical condition and personal goals. Proper technique is essential and will allow you to gain the most benefit out of your off season training program and decrease injury potential during the program and on the water. Nutrition is key for sustaining energy and fueling your body properly for the sport. A professional fitness trainer can design a program that will fit your needs and get you prepared for the upcoming season. As an online fitness consultant and co-owner of a fly fishing outfit, I have the access and know-how to set up a program to enhance your day on the water. For more information or to contact me directly visit my website at www.trainedbytracey.com.
The sport of fly fishing is wonderful not only due to the physical benefits is provides but for the serenity and connection with nature you experience every time you walk out on the water. And I assure you it will be a lot better…above the water…
May you have the best fishing season!
Happy New Year!
Tracey L. Stroup
President/Owner
Trained by Tracey, Inc
www.trainedbytracey.com
