Growing up in Michigan, I learned to love fishing at night with mice patterns. It wasn’t until I moved out west that I realized how versatile these flies can be. Now, I always carry a few just in case- or if I have too much to drink and need something to keep my attention during the wee hours.
After fishing a ton of different mouse patterns, I decided to combine different elements of some of my favorites to come up with something more productive. The butt sinking versatility of the Dirty …

Here is a simple yet realistic looking pattern that should be equally effective for trout as well as bluegills. With this pattern my attempt was to create a fly that would mimic in appearance the larval stage of any number of beetle species . Commonly called grubs , these beetles in their larval stage , often become easy meals for any number of animals . Grubs are most often found in loose composting soil or leaf litter and can be deposited in ponds and streams carried by runoff after …

As a fly tier and a devoted steelheader, I encounter many new trends and “must have” flies. I am not one of those guys who have two different patterns in a couple of colors and sizes in his fly boxes. I have at best, two of each pattern, a multitude of colors, shapes and sizes, a cornucopia if you will. One thing I know for sure is that the color blue attracts steelhead and angler alike. About 65% of my recent fly orders have all been …

The thermometer outside my window reads 13 degrees Fahrenheit as I write this. And winter has been harder than usual this year, wind, cold, ice and snow. It has all been heavier than the norm. More and more, I look upon weather like this and say to myself that it’s fly tying season in my neck of the woods. Time to tie those flies and restock those boxes that you will be using in warmer days. It also means that I day dream about fishing …

Through the years I’ve spent fly fishing and fly tying, I have seen a whole lot of flies. Having an art background I have found that I tend to look at all of them with a critical eye; noting each small hard fought victory at the vise as well as their imperfections. Over time I have found that, regardless of the style of fly, the care given to the head of the fly is indicative of the care used at each step along the way. I try …