Mike Smith’s Forage Fly™ combines the unique features of the Fish-Skull™ head with natural body materials and a “frantic tail” to create an incredibly authentic baitfish imitation that is as versatile as it is realistic.

It only uses 5 different materials and once mastered is quick and easy to tie. Particular attention should be paid to the dimensions of the fly and amount of materials used, but we hope the very detailed instructions below will provide everything you need.

Sand Creek is a pretty little piece of trout water that harbors some very fussy fish. Clear water in a small creek demands a quiet approach; casting from the bank is a good strategy when fishing small flies to springtime trout. Photo by Russ Forney
Springtime in Wyoming can be pretty elusive. Just when the first flush of prairie wildflowers sweetens the air, the next storm buries them under a foot of snow. Somewhere between the first Meadowlark and the last new calf, winter finally begins to relax its icy grip. …

Modern fly tiers love to employ the “latest and greatest” materials and techniques in their patterns. If a material orbits Earth in the Space Shuttle, chances are it becomes fodder for the tier’s bench. If some famous angler starts hackling dry flies with pig bristles, chances are the local fly shop will soon sponsor a seminar on hog hackling.
Not all that’s hot in fly tying is new, however. After years of being seen only in the pages of pre-1950 fly fishing books, classic wet flies are enjoying a vibrant period …

I’ve always been a fan of the spey flies tied by the late Syd Glasso.  Glasso is considered by many to be the father of the steelhead spey fly.  He was probably the first person to design a spey style fly specifically for steelhead, and in doing so, he started a trend that continues to this day.  He may well be one of the most influential fly tiers in North America.  His flies were beautiful and elegant, yet simple in their construction.
Glasso himself …

A step-by-step photo sequence showing how to tie one of the simplest, yet most effective, fly patterns out there.