Tying the Mink Coated Retriever

The Mink Coated Retriever

When a pattern such as the Golden retriever performs for years as successfully as it has, it's only natural that patterns it spawns will tend to perform just as well. The MC Retriever is one such  pattern.

MC Retriever Recipe

Hook:  #6 - #10 Standard 3xl Streamer

Thread:  Red Flat Waxed Nylon

Under-body:  .020 Lead Substitute Wire

Abdomen:  Small Peach Estaz

Rib:  xSmall Copper Wire

Wing:  Chestnut Mink Zonker Strip

The Mink Coated Retriever Tying Video

The Best Laid Plans....

Colorado Visited

With Business looming I came armed with gear in hand and hopes of getting a chance to find water and linking up with a friend. However, the best laid plan can and do go awry. My chance was a few hours on a cold morning in Clear Creek Canyon, then back to work before the sun ever hit my hat.

A beautiful stretch of water which I feel would have come to life had the sun been given the chance to work its magic.

I was able to lip 2 fish, and even feel a few head shakes, but no fish to hand.  And in the end was left haunted by a need for more.

Howard,  My apologizes for not being able to make it happen.  Hopes for the future.

AVAILABLE NOW!! "Summer Bugs"

Available now!!

        Amazon "Summer Bugs"

Click the link above to order

               "Summer Bugs is a celebration of where the Author's fly fishing and tying roots are anchored. From this collection of warmwater journal entries, to the fly patterns that fill his personal box. All 17 patterns within these pages (complete with a QR link to all 17 full tying videos) are proven performers from farm ponds to smallmouth water. Whether you walk the banks, kick through lily pads with a float tube or scull a Jon boat through shallows, this fly box will cover you through all of your warmwater fishing."

Tying the Little Olive Caddis Nymph

Little Olive Caddis Nymph

The Little Olive has been with me for a number of years now and is a favorite for fall and winter on local waters. Easy to tie and very effective, it is a great all purpose prospecting pattern. I fish this pattern both alone and as the bottom fly off of a dropper.

Little Olive Caddis Nymph

Hook:  #16 Caddis Emerger

Bead:  Gold Tungsten

Thread:  8/0 Olive-dun Uni-thread

Abdomen:  Olive Micro-tubing

Hackle:  Natural CDC Puff

Thorax:  Peacock Ice Dub

First Proof is here!

FIRST PROOF

It has been a long road with more than a few twists and changes, but the first proofs are finally here.  Layout is very close.  Proof reads and final edit is still to come.

Construction Complete!

The New Den

After much frustration, the Den is finished and the bench is back together.