Dragonfly nymphs live and hunt in typically non-fly-friendly territory. Tough-to-fish areas, such as dense weeds, rocks and sunken woody debris...
Fly-Tying
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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...
When it comes to incorporating natural materials such as pheasant tail or peacock, many tyers shy away, critical of these natural materials’ ability to survive the rigours of a busy day of fishing. Many tyers today, myself included, rely on synthetic-based patterns coated with layers of superglue, nail polish, UV...
By Phil Rowley
Originally published in “Fly-Tying” Jan/Feb 2011 issue of BC Outdoors magazine.
The General Practitioner or ‘GP’, as it is affectionately known to many, is a staple pattern for most British Columbia steelhead fly-fishers. The GP was originally designed as a prawn or shrimp imitation for Atlantic salmon by an...
Craft fur is a durable synthetic material that breathes and flows in the slightest current or under the subtlest of...
On my fly pattern checklist, John Kent’s Humped Back Spawner ticks all the necessary boxes for a deadly freshwater shrimp or scud pattern. The Humped Back Spawner boasts a convincing realistic appearance, instantly appealing to any fly fisher the moment they see it. More importantly, trout view it with equal...
Doug Wright has been fly fishing and tying flies since he was a kid. For the last 15 years, he...
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...
When John Kent managed Tunkwa Lake Resort, he enjoyed a lot of success fishing a lightly dressed Carey Special. Gil’s...
British Columbia’s storied waters are among steelheading’s most hallowed. Names like the Dean, Kispiox, and Bulkley are whispered with reverence internationally, and for many, a steelheader’s life is not complete without at least one visit to them all.
I’m often asked by visiting anglers which flies they should bring, and I...