Tying the Breeches

The Breeches

First tied as a search pattern on the Yellow Breeches in Central Pennsylvania, the Breeches is a solid pattern in my box. It floats well, always lands on its feet, and fishes cross-hatches very effectively.  

The Breeches Recipe

Hook:  #14 Dry Fly

Thread: Light Cahill 8/0 Uni-thread

Tail:  Medium Pardo CDL

Abdomen: Tying Thread

Rib:  #18 Silver Badger Hackle

Wing:  Dun Turkey Flat Fibers

Thorax:  Peacock Herl

Hackle:  Silver Badger 

Tying the Little Green Caddis Worm (Video)

Little Green Caddis Worm

The Green Caddis Worm is a staple within most every fisherman's box and we all have our favorites.  This pattern is my personal favorite. Its simple to tie, durable, and one more thing....it catches fish.  

LGCW Recipe

Hook:  #16 Orvis Beadhead
Bead:  Black Tungsten
Thread:  6/0 Black Uni-thread
Abdomen:  Chartreuse Ultra-wire inside Clear Micro-tubing
Thorax:  Black Ice-dubbing
Wingcase:  Zap Goo

Tying the Great White Humpy (Video)

The Great White Humpy

When the Smallmouth are looking up, this is my go-to fly. Fished in the eddies and shallows of the Susquehanna River basin it has proven itself time and again. It is a great attractor and top fly for a dropper rig as well, but Smallmouth on the top is where it shines.

Great White Humpy Recipe

Hook:  #8 2XL Dry Fly

Thread: Black 6/0 Uni-thread

Tail:  Moose Body Hair

Abdomen: White Antron Yarn

Shellback:  Natural Deer Hair

Wing:  Natural Deer Hair

Hackle:  Silver Badger 

Tying the Long AW (Video)

The Long AW

This aquatic worm pattern was featured in my book Tomorrow's Fish and is such a simple pattern to tie, yet catches fish everywhere. It’s tied with light brown body glass over bare hook at the abdomen, and over a red tying thread at the thorax for a perfect contrast which seems to be just the ticket.

Long AW Recipe

Hook: Caddis Emerger #10 - 14

Thread:  Brown 8/0 Uni / Red 3/0 Orvis

Body: Light Brown Orvis Body Glass

Tying the Little Olive Wet

Little Olive Wet

This pattern is my first choice for the Fall Olives. I fish it in wet fly fashion with the last 6” of tippet greased heavy to keep the pattern in or near the film.

Little Olive Wet Recipe 

Hook: Standard 2x Heavy Scud #14-18

Thread:  Olive Dun Uni-thread 6/0

Abdomen:  Olive Biot

Thorax: Olive Ice-Dub

Wing: Lemon Barred Wood Duck

Hackle: Silver Badger Brahma hen

Small Water Popping

Small Water Bass Popping

Spending time on some nearby ponds chasing small water bass with deer hair poppers

They love those poppers.

The fly of the day was the P&G Popper

P&G Popper

Hook: #6 Gamakatsu Stinger

Thread:  Black Uni-thread 6/0

Tail:  Purple Marabou

Legs: Grizzly Hackle

Head: Purple deer hair in front of Yellow

Tying the Pine Creek Nymph

Pine Creek Nymph

This Pattern was originally tied for the Upper Pine Creek in Tioga County PA. It has become my go-to pattern in many Central PA streams over the years. I tie this pattern without weight, and finish my drifts with a Leisenring lift.

Pine Creek Nymph Recipe

Hook: Standard Curve Shank Nymph #16 - #12

Thread:  Brown Uni-thread 6/0

Tail:  Wild Turkey Tail fibers

Rib: Dark Brown Body Glass

Abdomen: Wild Turkey tail

Thorax: Insect Green dubbing

Wingcase: Wild Turkey Tail

Hackle: Furnace Hen neck