Stocker Trout Fishing News

Received a request to post information on how we tie the Olive/Brown Near Deere - the fishing fly we used recently at Murphy City Hall Pond for Rainbow Trout. In reply, we posted a video below that demonstrates how we tie the fishing fly. Do check it out when you get a chance! Other key points: For the fishing fly we tie, it is a variation of the fishing fly that Texas Fishing Forum's Tarpon Fly posted several years ago. He described the pattern and noted its simplicity and effectiveness. When we tie the Olive/Brown Near Deere, we use Olive Marabou for the tail and Brown Flash Chenille for the body. However, the pattern allows for ease of mixing and matching colors with our favorites being Olive Marabou/Olive Flash Chenille and Olive Marabou/White Flash Chenille. It can be fished with or without a strike indicator as well as fished as a tandem rig with a GRHEN, Soft Hackle, or Nymphs. It is a consistent producer of Trout as well as other fish like Bass and Catfish in our are...

It has been a long work week but Friday is here at last. The weekend is looking good for fishing; however, we must do our duty and pledge our everlasting love to our significant others as tomorrow is Valentine's Day. That said, the Trout Derby on the Blue River in Oklahoma has us itching for a run across the border. Unfortunately, we are unable to make it this weekend. We do plan to wet a line, most likely at Frisco Commons Pond which was stocked last weekend with Rainbow Trout. While preparing the fly box, I noticed the Soft Hackles purchased at Beavers Bend Fly Shop last year were looking beat. Guess a fishing fly can only take so much abuse from feisty trout and scrappy bluegill! I decided to tie a few Soft Hackles. After a few "do overs",  I was able to turn out a few that looked "fishable";  hope to try them this weekend. PS: Really glad for the YouTube video - Partridge and Orange Soft Hackle!

Next in the Getting Started in Fly Fishing series is a video that shows yours truly catching fish using only 32 feet of line - 8 feet of line on the rod, 16 feet of line past th rod tip, and 8 feet of leader tippet. If you are first starting out and you get frustrated with your cast, try less line and focus on a stealth approach/presentation to fish lurking near the bank. And, gain a feel for setting the hook and playing a fish on a fly rod. Fun stuff! Do check back for more in the series... next up is a look at the fishing flies that came with the $33 Martin Fly Fishing Kit!

Checked out TRWD Flyfest. Was a fun time. Lots of video footage of the trout contest.Live stream Is posted except for heat 4. Still working on a high lights video of the contest. More to come. For now here is a quick tie and catch video to kick off the warm water fishing season!

Here is another pattern that has been a producer of trout for us over the years. It is the Rainbow Warrior Midge that we like to fish in tandem with a lead fishing fly like an Olive Wooley Bugger or a Near Deere. Material for this pattern are: Red Dacron Tying Thread Size 16 Hook Bead Head of the color of your choice Pearlscent Tinsel Pink and Ice Dubbing or Sow Bug Dubbing Head Cement or UV Glue Do give it a try next chance you get for trout, and let us know how it worked for you!

YouTube Shorts video of a simple fishing fly pattern that has worked well for the COAF Field Team over the years for stocked trout. This is the GRHEN in a Bead Head Variant. GRHEN is short for Gold Ribbed Hares Ear Nymph. It is tied in size 16 in the Quick Tie Demo but cab be tied in other sizes to match the hatch. Additionally, the GRHEN can be fished as a single fly but we tend to fish it as a tandem fly rig with the GRHEN as the trailing fly to a streamer lead fly like a Near Deere or Wooley Bugger. Do give this one a try this Season!

Pond fishing with the 4wt Fly Rod and Reel! Wanted to try a simple fishing fly that did not require lots of material! Took a rectangle cutout of 2mm closed cell foam and tied it on to a size 12 hook. Added legs… then fished it to a bed of Bluegill. It works! Fly Fishing Tying Suggestions

Been trying to tie the Pat’s Rubber Leg by watching others tie the pattern. So far, has been a rough go. But, did make some adjustments to one variant that has an extended body, and then used a tying method to attach the legs that is easier for yours truly… same method I use to tie legs on a Foam Spider/Grasshopper. Do check back… plan to “test” it out at a local pond, and then tie more if it produces a fish or two. And then, hopefully… on to the Blue River and/or local stocked trout! More to come!

Here is a simple but effective variant of the Mickey Finn fishing fly. It makes for fast fly tying, made with minimal material, and can be upsized to target larger fish. In our case, we opted to tie it small to pair it with the Cabelas CGR 2wt Fiberglass Fly Rod when fishing for little fingerling Bass at our local pond! Recipe is as follows: Size 12 or 14 Streamer Hook Pearl Tinsel White Dacron Tying Thread White Deer Hair Green (Chartreuse) Deer Hair Click on pictures to see more about Cabela’s CGR Rod/Reel Combo and deals they are offering!

Tied another variant of the BOBTAIL Fly… this one is different, no dumbbell eyes, and only marabou plumes on the hook bend, and then saddle hackle for the body. More to come… Bass were cruising instead of on their beds Saturday. Caught one on a Grasshopper and lost one bringing it in as well. Nice day with lots of social distancing room! No Name Fly Details on tying the No Name Fly!

This video we mention two fishing flies… the Rubber Legged Near Deere and an Pearl Chenille Streamer. The Rubber Legged Near Deere worked well on stocked trout at two local ponds. The Pearl Chenille Streamer worked well on Striped Bass at Denison Dam as well White Bass on Lake Lavon Do check out the video and the demo on how we tie the Rubber Legged Near Deere!

A follow on question to an earlier question on a fly fishing combo for beginners. This one answers the question, “How to get started fly tying?” We keep it simple and inexpensive as well as provide our personal experience in how we got started fly tying. The video details basic tools, an approach to fly tying that we hope keeps you interested in the hobby, and also show what gear we use or have used over the years. Hopefully, as in our Team motto, learn to fish by our trials and errors!

Had a great time fishing Turner Falls last week for Rainbow Trout. Go to pattern was a Mop Fly that had a Chartreuse body and an Orange Egg Sac. Simple pattern to tie but tended to spend more time trimming and shaping the Egg Sac as well as ending with lots of wasted egg yarn material. Decided to try a dubbing loop to this time… so far, liking it. Quick tie, less time shaping, and less wasted material. Do give it a try! Peak Rotary Vise: http://amzn.to/2rERlZF Dubbing Tool: https://amzn.to/33N4Gyc Orange Egg Yarn: https://amzn.to/2ORj7gr Dust Mop Micro Fiber: https://amzn.to/36drAR3 1/80 oz Jig Fly Hook: https://amzn.to/2Lr51QM

Here is the fishing fly that we used in a Tandem Rig when fishing the Blue River in Oklahoma Sunday. Had struck out Saturday but came back Sunday and managed to out five trout on the stringer. Had a couple that went for a Tandem Rigged Near Deere with trailing Rainbow Warrior, else it was a slow go. Then, after mixing up the fishing flies and trying different ones found a Tandem Rigged Near Deere with trailing John Deere was the ticket. LOL… Near Deere originated from the John Deere. Do check out the video on how we tie the John Deere pattern. And, do check back,… will get a follow-on video of the Tandem Rig technique we used!

Impromptu live session to answer a Viewer’s question on a starter kit for fly tying. Unedited video with key items noted below. Also, includes details of recent trip fishing Denison Dam for Stripers! Key Items: Starter kits in the $30.00 range are available 1a. Cabelas and Bass Pro 1b. Can go more expensive but may also gather dust if become frustrated 1c. If you move on to more expensive, than can use it still – travel vice, tube fly vice conversion Amazon Starter Kit: https://amzn.to/2TiAGqa Best to learn to tie one fishing fly that you use often 2a. Save money and will fish aggressively, less worry about losing it 2b. Get proficient at tying it sooner than later Simple but effective patterns… 3a. Olive Wooley Buggers 3b. Near Deere 3c. Clousers Must haves… 4a. Bobbin 4b. Hackle Pliers 4c. Sharp scissors Really nice to have… 5a. Bobbin Threader 5b. Whip Finish Tool

Simple pattern made with two white Marabou Plumes, Red Dumbbell Eyes, Pearl Chenille, Red Dacron Tying Thread, and a 1/0 Hook. Tied this one from memory of a fishing fly that was doing well on Striped Bass at Denison Dam. Calling it the Denison Dam Dawber or Triple D. Going to try it out next trip to the tailrace to Texoma – Denison Dam! Stay tuned!

Here is a quick tie demo of how we tie the Guadalupana. Uses minimal material, and is simple to tie. Works on trout, bass, and bluegill. Do give it a try, and do keep guessing on our Fishing Fly Give Away of two Guadalupana fishing flies. One tied with a Palmer Hackle. Other with a Dry Fly Hackle. Both on size 8 streamer hooks. See more and comment in our video posted on our channel! PS: Do see more details on how to tie the pattern at COAF Guadalupana Fishing Fly.

Mixing it up this round with two of our passions – #ukuleletime and #flytying …watched the move – “The Mule” directed and starring Clint Eastwood! Liked the song by Toby Keith – “Don’t Let the Old Man In”. Decided to add it to a quick tie video of the Damsel Fly Variant we used the other day to catch bass at a local pond! https://youtu.be/a1vivsehHus

Here is a quick tie of one of the three suggested fishing flies we like to have at the ready in our fly box when fishing for trout. Mixed up the video this time by adding background info, the recipe for the pattern, suggestions for fishing the GRHEN, along with the video of us tying one. This variant uses a bead head and pheasant tail instead of hares ear guard hairs for the the tail of the fishing fly. Do give it a try! Link to article: Three Suggested Fishing Flies for Rainbow Trout

Here is a simple tie for an already simple pattern… it’s a Griffith’s Gnat less the Peacock Herl. Mainly use this one as a trailing fly to a tandem rigged lead streamer like a Wooley Bugger or Near Deere. It’s fished wet but can be fished dry as well. Tends to do well when “bugs” are emerging have hatched but seem to have not made the final push to fly off… instead they sink and become food for hungry trout! Recipe: Size 14-18 dry fly hook Black Dacron Tying Thread Grizzly Hackle – long… at least 2″ or more in length