Territorial Behavior

Spawning Bream

The last few days the bream have started spawning.  After several hours of trying I finally got one in front of the underwater camera.

Easter Asp

Went to "the Pond" again and although a strong SW wind in my face I did manage to catch 7 (out of 10) Asp, again 30-40cm.  My general midge emerger (shown in an earlier Asp post) has been my go to fly for the past two years when the Buzzers are hatching.  The one in the picture was the first caught and you see my ferret Diablo making a mad dash for it as I slid it on the shore.  I don't need a net when he's around.  What's funny is that the fish sees him coming!

Asp, Bats, and Owls

Went to "the Pond" a few days ago with my daughter and Diablo for the evening rise of Buzzers.

I ended up catching three small Asp between 30 and 40 cm.  As usual missed or lost twice as many some bigger. 

At dusk the bats began diving at my fly more than the naturals so it was time to quit.  In the video there is one of the bats taking a dive right at us.  If you listen close you can hear an owl hooting in the background.

Another Marten

The Martens are keeping me busy these days.  This one jumped and landed right in front of the camera.  Maybe I'll have time in the morning to finally tie something.

Not far from the Pond..... 2

Another glimpse of nature adapting to our habits.  A Stone Marten living in an attic in the inner city.

Hollow Emu Flatwing

Emu feathers are very mobile and have a strong stem allowing them various applications to flies.  Before dying some I tried a neutral (natural?) colour scheme.

Tail - grey bucktail, two emu feathers, and a black saddle hackle tied in flat.
Body - series of sparse grey and black (on top) bucktail with UV Angelina.
Gill collar - small red ostrich hackle.
Eyes - 3D epoxy.

Ass Backwards.....

Trying a few new things here.

Attach a Fly Lipp to an empty shank.

Tie in XL Craft Fur for a tail, and collar.

Pull it back and whip finish.

Tie on a loop of flat mono.

Attach to the front hook (with tungsten bead)

Begin a hollow fleye method with the XL Craft Fur, repeat two or three times.

Finished?  Not yet!

I added a nice pastel tone with a Copic Airbrush (the photo doesn't show it so good).

The ass end shakes back and forth, the front bobs up and down.  Damn!

Another, thanks Mr. P.

These flies are so easy!  It takes me longer to get out the materials than to tie one.  I like these flies more and more.  After reading Mr. P.'s "The Chocolate Cherry and Small Boobs" the thought stuck in my head.  The simple flowing features along with the action are beautiful.

I have to recommend Mr P.'s Blog not only for top fly fishing info, but his entertaining experiences.  "My Farting: An Outside Expert's Opinion" is a classic!

Thanks again Mr. P.

Bulkhead Deceiver

Lefty's Deceiver has gone through many changes over the years.  This version, from Bob Popovics combines a flatwing and hollow fleye style using the normally 2nd rate (upper) part of a bucktail.  I hope I did it justice with my version.  I wanted to try it out with the "warm" 7 degree weather today (-14 last Sunday) but there is still 10 cm of ice on the pond.