Tying your own leaders

Home from my real job and in the safety and comfort of my office here at home. I've been doing a lot of thinking about the importance of leader/tippet use and materials. I, for years have always purchased a pre-made tapered leader and have caught fish forever, but lately Ive been making my own leaders and stepping the size of the materials down into a knotted taper usually in three sections. Nothing new or high tech, but what I've noticed and maybe I'm wrong but...have I been catching more fish? I start with a #20lb test base at about three feet long which i tie to the fly line and then step down to an #8lb test piece of Maxim again around three feet long and then to a 4x tippet material usually a Scientific Angler Freshwater tippet and that length will vary dependent upon water and clarity. I really believe that as of late or at least as long as I've been tying these, my catch is up! I attach all of these sections with a simple double surgeons knot and have played with material colors and that hasn't seemed to change anything thus far. So my question to you is, What is changing? In my mind a knotless tapered leader should be less visible and simply lay better in the water, but it doesn't, it really doesn't change the effect in any negative way.. So if you don't already tie your own, give it a shot! and if you do, I'm sure you'll agree with me that it's another way that we as fly fisherman/tyers are always finding another way to be more involved in every aspect of our love and another way we all are.."High on the fly".

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Jeff

Tournament?

I've been thinking and talking with a friend, (Al) about trying to throw a fun little fly tournament together. Nothing outrageous but something we could all sink our teeth into and maybe win a few freebies for doing what we love. Give me some feedback especially you MI guys because it would probably be more feasible to be a part of it.

One of those day's

Clear and right at summer levels.

Nice bow couldn't resist the ISO.

One of the many on the dry today.

What a classic ambush spot.

Well what can I say about today that could possibly sum it up? Started with going to the mailbox and my new thefiberglassmanifesto.com t-shirt is here, Thank you Cameron. Got to the river a little later than normal but wanted the sun to warm the water a wee bit. Got dressed and ready and as I peered into the water.......RISERS!!! all over. So on with the Drys and off to the races. They were sipping all day and as the day progressed so did the size of the fish. After catching numerous fish and I honestly lost count, I switched over to the Iso nymph just for a change of pace and they were all about the bead head trout slayer as well... Beautiful day tons of rising and feeding fish...dare I say it....Spring has sprung! Took a lot of pictures today for the site and may just post em at my Facebook page so like me on facebook and see all the pics that are there.. Losing sleep now that my West Virginia trip is just over a month away..I really need to get on the vise! Today is just another reason why I am always...High On The Fly!

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Jeff

Another day....

One of my favorite stretches.

Well by the grace of God, (or my Wife...) I was allowed to sneek in a quick trip on Sat. It wasn't the best day despite the beautiful picture, water was cold, fast and and a bit high. Never managed a bite but did meet the local bait fishermen as they trespassed through the private property that they admittedly did not have permission to be on!! SLOB"S!! I'm never amazed at stupidity and how it breeds to spawn more. Anyway, despite the no fish and a couple of fools the day was beautiful the scenery was breathtaking and my mind is again in harmony with my body.... This is another reason we all become "High On The Fly"..

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Jeff

Lets have some fun... The first comment back on the blog gets a half dozen iso nymphs..... Now lets see who gets em'....

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Jeff

What are you reading?

Lovin the Drake and the Frankenmuth Brewery beers.

Really enjoying the Spring issue of The Drake and have dove back into my old Trout Unlimited, "America's 100 Best Trout Streams" book. So many places to visit and so little money! LOL, and enjoying a Frankenmuth Brewery "Hefeweizen", Michigan brewed and a treat for the ol' taste buds!!

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Jeff

Isonychia, My gift to Trout...



#10 Isonychia.

A killer fly and an easy tie.

I have to share this recipe and a few pics of my go to fly. I Have to say that I may not be a entomologist but I do know this fly flat out busts Trout. I tie this in a few different sizes and the hackle may change from grizzly to black to tan but in any color this is a Trout getter!

5/32 bead
# 8 or 10 nymph hook.
White chute material.
Copper wire (for the ribbing)
Maroon peacock herl.
White dental tape
Hackle of your choosing.

Start by beading your head and wrap the hook shaft in black thread, Attach the white chute material extending passed the bead and beyond the bend of the hook. Tie in the copper wire from the head and let it rest in the rear of the hook. wrap to the front with the peacock herl and then tie in your dental tape at the head so it runs down the spine of the fly. Now take the copper wire and rib the body and in turn it secures the herl and the dental tape and gives the Iso the must have ribbed look. Now double wrap the white chute at the head back with your thread and then tie in and wrap your hackle two to three times and whip finish and cement the threads for strength. I trim my hackle back so it's not to huge but that's a personal preference. Well hope these directions make sense and hope ya take the time to try this, it's a hell of a nymph.

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Jeff

Welcome Home Waters.

A lil Rainbow on the PTN.

Another Bow who had the taste for a #10 Iso.

What a difference a day makes, I hit the water yesterday after the day before rolling snake eyes for the fifth trip in a row. Started out the morning hitting on the first drift with a meaty lil Bow who was all to happy to engulf my Iso. Throughout the day which spanned 7 hrs on the water it was relaxing and the fish were taking Iso's and pheasant tail nymphs all day. Water was low and gin clear and the runs were filled with eager trout that wanted to taste what was in my box. Is there a better feeling then catching all of your fish on your own flies? Ended up with 7 landed including a small Steelie who was a lil camera shy, a Brown and the rest Bows..

Al Bole rigging up on the South Branch.

Beautiful South Branch run.

Awesome day on the water! Headed to the South Branch of the Ausable today, never fished it before and it is a beautiful fishery. Started out the day running nymphs and had a few nudges and seen a few risers but they were only a glimpse and they were gone. Water is still pretty cold and the Trout were not active in their normal feeding patterns. After a couple hours and some wonderful scenery, we packed up and moved on. We headed into Mio to hit the mainstream and again the fish were hit and miss but did hook a few and lose a few, but Al  managed to land a pretty little brown. Never hit a ton of fish and didn't land any monsters but what a great day on the river with a good friend. And who knows, maybe next time I'll even catch one......

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Jeff

Ausable Brown.

Way to go Al, you earned that one!

Getting ready tonight for an all dayer on the Ausable in the morning. I'm never surprised by how organized I can be for a fishing trip and in my daily life i lose my truck while in it!! While going through my gear and rods and reels I realized how much "crap" I take with me for reasons unknown. I have 4 stocking caps, 5 pairs of gloves in my day pack and I seriously threw in more!!! I'm not sure where the ideas come from but am damn sure they are not from a sane man. So in closing I don't want anyone to worry about the warmth of my head or my hands...they will be fine....now where is my truck??

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Jeff

Had a wonderful day on the water with my son and even though the fish were sparse it was memories for a lifetime. While on the water I met a couple of great guys from fly2frame.com. Matt and Jason were up in search of some monster Browns and I had the pleasure of spending a few moments with them. Take a look at their site and remember these guys are like the rest of us, passionate about their fishing and art and sharing it with all that will look. Here is a couple examples of their work .

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Jeff

Doc of the Drakes // Drake Fly Fishing Magazine

Doc of the Drakes // Drake Fly Fishing Magazine

What an amazing and touching story. Click on the link and to see this.

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Jeff

I've been taking a look at some other bloggers and websites out there and see there is a lot of good content and articles from guys like you and I. I wanna make this an experience that we all can learn from and have input on what you read. So lets hear some ideas, a place you want to go and  know more about, the new rod, reel or lines and leaders that you want to know more about, let me have it and in turn I will do the leg work for you and for all of us. So on that note here is someone that I wanted to know more about. I watched a short video today on artist Derek Deyoung from canvasfish.com. I met and talked with him at the Fly Expo in Warren, MI back in March. What an amazing take he has on the fish that we love and what a nice guy to sit and talk with. Derek lives in Montana now and is involved with company's such as Simms and Abel Reels which have featured his artwork on there products and they are beautiful. Here is a small example of his work that I am proud to say adorns a wall at my home. So take a look at his site if your not familiar and if you are, look again.

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Jeff

Hello, Just a short note to let you know to please find me on facebook , just search for high on the fly and hit like, I'ts that easy...

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Jeff