Custom Flies by VERN-O

Friday, June 24, 2011

Headed to the Nation

I've waited for what seems like forever for the Spey Nation on the Salmon River in Pineville, NY date to roll around on the calendar. One day and counting. I've got a rod in mind too.....uuugghh this can't be good. Up until last year I've owned two fly rods....one for small fish one for larger fish. The one I've owned for nearly 15 years. I splurged last year bought a two hander and it's been no looking back. It's a whole new experience mentally and the rewards are even more so. Spey Nation is the place to test drive almost every major two handed rod supplier out there. One must not forget the great folks that make this event possible. I've also donated a gift to be raffled off.

Monday, June 20, 2011

The Night Hawk Spey Pages Challenge

NIGHT HAWK
HOOK: Alec Jackson 1.5
THREAD: 6/0 Fire Orange (Uni Stretch underbody)
TIP: Small Oval tinsel - silver
TAG: Yellow Floss
TAIL: Golden Pheasant Crest w/ Hen Saddle Dyed Blue at the base
BUT: Red wool
RIBBING: Small Oval Silver Tinsel
BODY: Holographic Silver Tinsel
BODY HACKLE: Golden Pheasant dyed black
THROAT: Pheasant Rump dyed black
WING: Goose Shoulder dyed black
TOPPING: Golden Pheasant Crest
SIDES: Jungle Cock nails
CHEEKS: Hen Saddle Dyed Blue
HORNS: Macaw

Frank G Swarner III offered to do a step by step of the Night Hawk for June's Monthly Challenge on Spey Pages. http://speypages.com/speyclave/showthread.php?t=49714 If you are not familiar with Frank's work he is very talented in the area of spey to say the least. Be sure to check out his blog too http://www.glspeydee.blogspot.com/ . This is the Brad Burden "Spey" variation of the Night Hawk hairwing pattern that was designed by Stanford White. I had searched the pattern out when I heard Frank would be doing it. I was hooked instantly and had to try it. Disclaimer: this is by far the most involved fly I've tied to date. Though it's not a full dress salmon fly, for me it might as well be. I had intended to have my version done before Frank's but it didn't happen. This was a blessing because Frank's step by step was detailed that I avoided major pitfalls by reading his tips. I had to substitute a few materials which is par for the course. I replaced the kingfisher with hen saddle dyed blue and the macaw horns should have been red. I also counter-ribbed the hackle to make it more durable. Thus the body hackle doesn't look neat and tidy, but more buggy and I intentionally got a little fluff from the collar hackle for the same reason. Things that I screwed up in my eyes (yes I'm sure there are more).....the bulked up underbody was a bit much. I tend to overwrap everything so I should have left that part alone. The oversized head was my fault for not reading Frank's instructions more closely. This was totally avoidable but I was so happy that the goose shoulder wings came out acceptable that I didn't bother to read his tips about tapering the trimming of the wings. Overall I was happy with the outcome and always welcome a new challenge. Please feel free to comment.

Monday, June 13, 2011

Perchy Spey & Tube

Part of being a commerical fly tier is that it gets harder and harder to tie flies for yourself! This isn't a bad thing, but I find myself getting irritated with patterns in my head that I want to experiment with. It eventually gets to a point when I actually do get to experiment the end result can be very satisfying. I came across these barred dyed artic sheep patches from Dave at http://www.tiethefly.com/ and I knew right away what I wanted to do with them. The hair fibers on these patches are easily 8 inches long and the barring makes them extra fishable. The vernewto festered in my head for over a year, and now the perchy spey came to head in just a few short weeks. Now I gotta take these out for a test drive very soon.

Friday, June 10, 2011

Deerfield Recap

I've spent most of this week going over the events from last week's Deerfiled River Spey/Fly Day. I was running behind trying to get to the event and have time to set up. When I arrived there was a small crowd and most people were still getting set up so I didn't feel so bad. The location was this gorgeous wooded spot on the banks of the Deerfiled River. The weather was perfect and just a gentle breeze to remind me that I don't usually tie outside. One of the first people I met was Phil Krista. A kilt wearing gentleman with a powerful presence and casting ability that commands respect. We spoke about the need for more tyers to contact their local VA Hospitals and donate what time they can to help soldiers rehabilitate and recover from their service. Phil is definately a presence to reckon with and his pitch is contagious. As the day kicked into gear I met some really great and interesting people (most of which I've fortgotten their names....I'm working on this). I tyed a few flies and explained different styles. Hell I even casted a 15 foot two handed ocean rod with Phil's direction....I'm not ready for the surf. The highlight for me was that the fly wallet and flies I donated was the first item the raffle winner chose. A great cause and a great reward for me personally. Reel Recovery was on hand to take donations. Then came the big ticket auction items. Trips to Alaska, Argentina, rods, Dick Talluer rememberance collection, etc. Just some amazing stuff at real great prices, but the items just weren't moving. A sign that the economy is still healing.

After the event the wife and kids picked me up and the plan was to take the kids tent camping if the weather was good. The weather was perfect and we were all tired from the days events which made the campfire all the more entertaining as we cooked our dinner on it. The overnight temp. dropped to about 45 degrees and the morning was a bit chilly so we packed up early and found Dunkin Doughnuts as quick as we could. The kids were excited to have camped out in the tent and the wife and I were happy to be enjoying the simple things in life. I am thankful for a great many things in my life.