Box of flies

Yesterday morning, I tied up 7 Hendricksons to take with me - 2 Catskill ties, 3 Usuals, and 2 Comparaduns. I put them in a little container and put the container in my pocket. When I reached the river, they were no longer in my pocket. I searched the car to no avail. Fortunately, I still have enough flies to get me through the day, although I will say the new ties, after having a fresh look at the actual bugs the day before, were better imitations.

The fly box was waiting for me when I returned home, on the kitchen table, right where I left it.

some soft-hackles and a streamer

Caddis + 2 midges

I tied up a handful of flies today, and took some pictures along the way. Nothing fancy here, all flies I like to use.

Upwing / Downwing

So what is your favourite style of trout fly? I tie a lot of variations on these little numbers with snowshoe hare wings. I still call them Usuals, but these aren't that close to the original Usual pattern. I tie them upwing and downwing in different sizes and colours to match the hatch. Sometimes for the Grand, I tie them with just a little nub of wing. I like crinkled poly material for the shuck, and I like the whole fly tied a little bit buggy, or impressionistic. Sometimes I have good success with a longer shuck too.