by Tim Romano

This week’s Tie Talk “bug” comes to us courtesy of flyrecipes.com.

The Durex Condom Pike Fly is the brainchild of Simon Graham and, has one very unusual item that might not be in your fly tying recipe basket. A condom for the tail…

Graham apparently got the idea while reading a piece from an Australian media outlet basically saying that, “despite Australia’s best efforts to supply prophylactics to AIDS-ravaged Papua, New Guinea, there’s no stopping local creativity in finding unusual uses for the free condoms. Local fisherman cut them up for lures, and women find the lubricant good for their hair and beauty regime.”

He goes on to say that, “pike can be fooled into taking all manner of materials found on lures and flies, if presented to them correctly. It was only a few years back when I was in Russia that I witnessed a bloke catch a pike with just tin foil molded onto his hook. Which got me thinking if local fisherman in Papua, New Guinea could catch tuna with condoms then how hard could it be to fool a pike into taking one. Anyway, this has now been tested and has passed with flying colours. So I’ve come up with the Durex condom pike streamer. Not that I think you’ll all want to tie one, but here’s a step by step tutorial in case you do.”

Call it a hunch, but something tells me you aren’t going to find this one commercially tied in your local fly shop.

Enjoy the lighthearted take on tying for the day.

Click here to see the step-by-step photo instructions for tying this fly.

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by Kirk Deeter

I ran into my pal Steve Parrott, co-owner of the Blue Quill Angler in Evergreen, Colorado, the other day at the Bass Pro Shops Spring Fishing Classic. We struck up an interesting conversation about the use of “hot spots” or “trigger points” on fly patterns.

Basically, by adding fluorescent material accents in key places like the collar or tail of a beadhead nymph fly, you create these “hot spots” or “trigger points” that trout may indeed see better, and theoretically react to more favorably. These two photos show Steve’s fly box in natural light, and then again in ultraviolet light, which simulates deeper water conditions. Those “hot spots” make you notice, don’t they?

The point in all of this is trying to make a closer connection between what you, the angler sees, and what a fish really sees. Sometimes, we anglers get too wrapped up in what a fly looks like in our hand above the water, and not enough thought is given to what it really looks like below the water. I can tell you, having spent a lot of time scuba diving in rivers, lakes and oceans, that colors change dramatically as natural light penetration through the water diminishes.

For example, that hot pink San Juan worm doesn’t look all that hot 10 feet below the lake surface (it looks gray), especially when there’s a lot of particulate matter suspended in the water. The less light penetration, the more you lose the reds, and the better you see yellows, for example. And blues maintain a solid silhouette.

I would assume this factor would have to have an influence on fish as well, wouldn’t it? We know through science that fish do indeed see colors. They also already give us other hints as to why perceptiveness matters. It’ no coincidence (in a slap your forehead kind of way) that those chartreuse, orange, and yellow pike baits would work well in the more tannic, stained waters where pike typically live. We know that purples and blues work great.

Have you ever seen anything natural that looks anything like a purple Prince nymph? No, of course not. But the way that color acts in the light environment of a river is its real appeal. Steve theorizes that those fluorescent red accents work well in shallow clear water, and lose effect with depth. He’s written about all this on his website, which you can check out here.

I’m intrigued enough to want to check this out in more detail, do some research, and maybe write about it in the magazine. The thought that bait colors vary in importance according to water conditions is certainly nothing new (ask a bass angler when to use green pumpkin versus junebug on a soft plastic if you want to open that, um, can of worms). But the notion of changing those colors based on light penetration through water, and specifically the use of fluorescent accents to make flies “pop” could add a whole new layer to the way we think about subsurface flies and the rationale we use when tying them. And having a deeper understanding of the color factor can only pay dividends for the angler.

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by Tim Romano

You know the drill. Write what you consider the best caption that you can come up with in regards to this image. We’ll sift through the entries and pick a winner Monday, March 5th. This time around the winner will receive a pair of Redington Sonic-Pro Wader Pants valued at $229.95.

Good luck and get writing.

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by Kirk Deeter

Yesterday, I spoke at a rally at the Colorado State Capitol. I was there with Trout Unlimited to make a public case to Governor John Hickenlooper that he pay attention to the Environmental Protection Agency, and not rubber stamp a plan to suck even more water out of the upper stretches of the Colorado River watershed. As it stands now, nearly two thirds of the historic flows from the Upper Colorado are already siphoned away. It’s silty. It’s weedy. There are fewer bugs and fewer fish. And still, they want more.

My analogy is this: Imagine we woke up tomorrow and learned that Pike’s Peak were 90% comprised of high grade coal. We could build a power plant, and burn that coal, providing free power to the cities of Denver and Colorado Springs for 20 years. All we’d have to do is shave off two-thirds of Pike’s Peak. Who’s going to step up and say, “Let’s start with a little bit off the top!” Nobody. At least nobody with a brain, and/or the slightest bit of respect for natural history and the environment.

So why is it cool to draw off two thirds or more of the Colorado River? It’s not. I’ll submit to you that the Colorado River is every bit as much the iconic natural landmark that Pike’s Peak is. I’d also submit that the long term value of the Colorado River–the one that future generations will appreciate–has much more to do with protecting the resource for recreation and tourism (the state’s number two industry), than it does about how much we can suck out of the river today.

It’s time for more anglers in this state–and nationwide–to step up to the megaphone and voice their concerns. This isn’t a left-right, Republican or Democrat issue. It’s about rivers and fishing. And if you care about those things, you’ll tune in and speak up.

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by Tim Romano

A number of months ago Hal Herring reported on the “Toxic Petroleum Sludge” that was infiltrating the waters of our beloved carp fishery here on the South Platte River in Denver. Local angler and fly fisherman Trevor Taner was fishing for carp in the river on November 27 when he noticed, “weird milky chocolaty sludge”, and after fishing for a while noticed his “fly and fingers smelled like gasoline”. He also mentioned that he could “see micro-currents and upwells in the water column that you usually can’t see.”

After talking to Tanner he told me that he spent a very long time trying to figure out who to call about the situation. After multiple phone calls to friends and anglers he finally reached what he thought were the proper authorities. This unfortunately took many hours and didn’t really provide the response he had hoped for. They basically told him he was crazy and there wasn’t a spill.

Long story short, Trevor was right. There was a pretty serious petroleum “spill” and it was most certainly in the river. Leeching into a tributary of the Platte through layers of soil and sand. It was most likely coming from a local refinery on the east banks of the river. The EPA finally got involved and to my knowledge the cleanup continues.

All of this would have been made much, much easier for Trevor if he knew who to call. Now — thanks to him I do, and I wanted to share it with all of you. Since the event Trevor was given an award by his local Trout Unlimited chapter and they also did a pressing of some “Spill or Kill Cards” in his honor. Spill for well, a spill of any kind. Kill, for a — fish kill. You know, lots-o-dead bloated little fishies floating belly up in the water. Duh.

The business sized card fits in a wallet and has the National Spill Response Center’s phone number (800-424-8802) as well as the twitter hashtag of other local TU members that can keep them up to speed on what’s going on. The National Spill Response Center’s duty is the “sole federal point of contact for reporting oil and chemical spills”. Supposedly it is the fastest way to get something done if you have an experience like what Trevor went through and have the gumption to do something about it.

So do you and your watershed, lake or coastline a favor and pop that number above into your phone’s contact list. Label it something that you’ll remember and hopefully never have to use. Someday you might be very happy you did.

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by Kirk Deeter

Jeff Wagner wears many hats. For his day job, he’s part of the Cabela’s team, integrally involved in boosting that company’s fly fishing expertise and product offering. He’s also a writer, and one of the best casting instructors (a Federation of Fly Fisher’s Master) in the country.

If you ever have a chance to watch him talk about casting, it’s pretty impressive, as he can carry on a conversation while maintaining flawless 60-foot loops. For now, I simply put Jeff “On the Spot” with some pointed questions about the fly cast.

FlyTalk: What is the number one mistake most anglers make regarding the fly cast?

Wagner: Not stopping the rod. Stopping the rod is what forms the loop. We think of the cast in terms of motion and fluidity, but it’t really all about accelerating, then stopping the rod in the right positions, with the right tempo.

Fly Talk: On a 1-100 scale, the angler who thinks he is a “95″ caster is really a what?

Wagner: About a 35. But we should all be our own toughest critics, and realize we all have room to improve.

FlyTalk: What is a realistic distance goal a caster should set for himself or herself, in order to be a fully functional fly angler?

Wagner: You should be able to cast 40 feet, accurately, in all conditions. If you’re able to cast 30-35-feet in a 25-mile-per-hour wind, you should also be able to cast 60 feet in dead calm conditions, no problem. A real good caster can deal with the elements. It isn’t about making long casts in perfect conditions.

FlyTalk: By percentage, break down how much the angler should be roll casting versus making overhead casts on a typical fishing day.

Wagner: That all depends upon where you are fishing, of course. Some rivers demand aerial mends and others are more straight line casts. If I were fishing in a small river in Rocky Mountain National Park, it might be 60 percent roll casts. If I’m fishing a big tailwater like the Green, it might be 60 percent aerial casts. You should be able to mix it up, wherever you fish.

FlyTalk: Who is the best fly caster you’ve ever seen?

Wagner: Tim Rajeff. The most consistent caster in the world might be his brother, Steve. But the guy who does the craziest stuff is Tim.

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by Tim Romano

A couple of weeks ago the L.L. Bean catalog showed up at my doorstep like it has been doing for years.

I’m not gonna lie. Typically I grab it out of the mailbox and head straight to the recycling bin. This one was different though, and I’m guessing many of you may have seen it. The cover had a striking image that I could not stop looking at, but couldn’t figure out why. Something was strange about it. Strange in a good way though — I simply thought it was a really weird looking painting. Days later I looked at it again an realized it was indeed a photograph. Being the inquisitive type–and one who you all know likes both fishing and photography–I really wanted to know how they accomplished it.

Of course I didn’t have to look to far. Being the great marketers that they are, L.L. Bean decided to do a “making of” video for their 100 year anniversary cover. I thought this was pretty interesting and hope you all do too.

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by Kirk Deeter

Warning: The Following Stunt Was Performed by a Trained Professional

It snowed about a foot where I live the other day. So naturally, I thought that was the signal for me to start packing for a bonefishing trip I’ll be taking to Long Island in the Bahamas (in three weeks). Thing is, my wife and son will be staying home, as they both have to be in school then. I’ll be writing a story. You know, working. So I went and dug out the cardboard box that said “Kirk Summer Clothes” from the storage room. That’s almost as fun as opening birthday presents. Ah, to reunite with the long-lost flip-flops at last. And the shorts still fit!

Then the hard part started: I had to organize the fishing gear. Pack, pliers, lines, fly boxes, sunglasses, fishing shirts, pants, and my Chuck Taylor All-Stars (wading shoes). I think the best way to take inventory and make a packing plan is to spread everything out. Which I did. On our dining room table. 

And then, I decided that I was woefully short on bonefish flies, so I set up the tying vise. On our kitchen table.

Now, I did make one mistake: If ever you’re tying up “Gotchas” to prepare for a tropical trip you’re going on by yourself, and listening to Jimmy Buffett music while drinking a Red Stripe at your kitchen table during a snowstorm–I’m going to suggest that’s probably not the best time and place to ask the Mrs. if she remembers where your passport is.

You can guess what happened next. All I’ll say is that the salty gear is now neatly packed in a little duffle bag, which is tucked in the corner of my closet for when I slink out of town. And the driveway doesn’t have any snow on it anymore.

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Today’s Tie Talk bug comes to us courtesy of flyrecipes.com and my friend Jay Zimmerman, who developed the Clown Shoe Caddis for my local stream here in Boulder–this is also a great caddis imitation to use anywhere.

Jay says, “The fly is super buoyant, highly visible and easy to tie. It’s commonly used as a mule to carry large dropper nymphs. Fly fishing guides love this fly too, as it is very easy for clients to see. It’s a killer fly during the Mothers Day Caddis Hatch too!”

If you can’t bring yourself to tie it, Umpqua Feather Merchants started producing it commercially a few years ago and should be carried by most local fly shops that bring in Umpqua products.

Click here to see the step-by-step photo instructions for tying this fly.

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by Kirk Deeter

Carp fishing with flies is going even more mainstream, as evidenced today in the New York Times. A piece by my friend and author of the acclaimed “Fifty Places” books Chris Santella shows how carp fishing is stepping further out of the shadows and into the spotlight, as it should.

After all, those of us who carp fish realize they aren’t just “backup plan” fish. They’re very worthy adversaries.

All this gets me wondering just what kind of an impact carp fishing can and will have on fly fishing in the future. Do I see carp being the main attraction in years to come? No. I think trout will always make the fly fishing world go around.

But I do see the number of American anglers who claim carp among their three favorite target species tripling within the next five years. 

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by Tim Romano

Last Thursday a group I’m involved with called The Greenbacks hosted our second annual photo show called Surface Film. The show was curated by myself and framed and hung by gallery owner Zach Custer and consisted of 25 images from some of the best photographers in fly fishing.

The Greenbacks, in case you’re wondering are a group within Trout Unlimited that seeks to promote native fish and their habitat through the engagement and recruitment of the next generation of Trout Unlimited members.

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by Kirk Deeter

Since we first introduced you to Robert “The Bug Guy” Younghanz last April, he’s been a busy man–hatching a cool new DVD set, spreading his wings on the speaking circuit, taking flight with new articles and tips (Okay, I’ll leave the hokey insect references out now).   

I have always thought that fly fishing could be broken into basic areas of understanding–how to cast, how to read the water (to know where to cast), and how to present your flies (so they act right after you put them in the spot). Of course, none of that stuff matters unless you know what fly to put on in the first place! Yet despite that, I would also say that the entomology (understanding bugs) part of fly fishing is the average angler’s weakest suit.

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