Fly-Tying

I have long been a fan of Randall Kaufmann’s patterns and tying techniques. His stonefly nymph is one of my favourites. A Kaufmann Stone is one of my go-to patterns when imitating larger stonefly nymphs for both trout and steelhead. Stonefly nymphs make excellent searching patterns as the larger species...

By Phil Rowley From the July/August issue of BC Outdoors Biots are the tough, interlocking barbs found along the leading edge of a bird’s primary flight feather. The Prince Nymph’s signature white biot wings make it arguably the most famous pattern to integrate biots. Biots are also a common material choice for...

At first glance, chironomid pupae appear simple to imitate. If you follow some basic principles, match the size of the...

The FAB is a clever blend of two popular stillwater attractors, the Booby and the Blob, two patterns that have been the subject of previous columns. Together, these three patterns form my current stillwater attractor pattern trinity. From the research I have done, the FAB’s origins trace back to some English...

Spey flies feature long, flowing hackles, slender lines and, on occasion, a beautiful, streamlined, bronze mallard wing. For the most...

Clark Pierce, or Cheech to many fly fishers and tyers, created one of my favourite small baitfish patterns, the Baby...

By Phil Rowley (designed by Scott Howell) Originally published in Phil's "Fly-tying" column in the November/December 2011 issue of BC Outdoors magazine. Click here to view or print the original version. Scott Howell is a renowned steelhead guru, Oregon guide and innovator within the steelhead fraternity. Along with fly-fishers such as Ed...

All about and how to tie the Blob. Phil Rowley breaks it down step by step.

By Phil Rowley (designed by Bob Taylor) Originally published in Phil’s “Fly-tying” column in the March/April 2013 issue of BC Outdoors magazine. Click here to view or print the original version. Hanging leeches under indicators is now common on most Western Canadian stillwaters. Arguably, you could spend the entire season suspending only...