Turning the Season ...

The turning of the season from summer to fall has renewed my focus back to trout fishing after a very hot and dry summer here in Pennsylvania. With stream conditions that haven’t been favorable for fishing, I’ve spent more time behind the vise this summer than I normally do, and the stock boxes are starting to fill again. The cool weather that has arrived has me thinking about an upcoming trip to the Idaho Panhandle, Westslope Cutthroat rising to hatches of October Caddis and some time spent sharing the water with a few great friends. One of the most recent patterns from my vise is a new pattern I’ve chosen to call “Barr’s Favorite” in honor one of those friends. This one imitates the October Caddis and uses the rare Pearsall Gossamer 6B Sherry Spinner silk thread, a thinly dubbed body of hare’s poll and an English Woodcock hackle. I’m thinking my fish friends might like this one too. I’ll report back when I return. Till then ……

Running of the Bulls ....

Once again, I will soon be venturing to the land of Bull Trout and swimming some of these big, nasty streamers through those green tinted waters in the hope of connecting with one of these great fish. There’s always great level of anticipation anytime we plan a trip somewhere, and the planning, preparation and tying of flies adds to that excitement. There’s been a lot of tying in preparation of this trip and I’m looking forward to tying one of these on, stripping it on a death roll in the deep waters and waiting for one to pounce on it. Stay tuned for a report from the land of Lewis and Clark. Till then …

Terrestrials ...

The past few months here in the east have been rough ones with a long period of drought conditions and high heat that have put trout fishing on hold. We have finally received some well needed rain that have brought up flows on many of our streams just in time to get in some late season terrestrial fishing. It also coincided with an opportunity to present a program on terrestrial insects, patterns and tactics for the members of Valley Forge Trout Unlimited. A big thank you to Charlie Griffen and my friends at this chapter that attended via Zoom. I enjoy the kind of fishing that this time of the year offers, and it's always a treat to watch a trout rise to a hopper, ant, cricket or beetle pattern. Tie up a few terrestrial insect patterns and tie one on. Till next time .....