Traditions

I probably have a couple hundred Green Drake dry flies on hand, tied during the past fifteen years. It is always worthwhile to tie a few more though, to make some detailed changes, experiment with new ideas, even to design a few brand new patterns.

On Saturday night, a couple of gentlemen that I think of as friends were honored as Catskill Legends. They are both exquisite fly tyers and true scholars of our Catskill fly fishing and tying history, Dave Catizone and Tom Mason. I was pleased to congratulate the pair, as I too have a special fondness for our fly fishing history, something both of them spend a great deal of time and a terrific amount of effort to foster and support.

I had that in mind this morning when I sat down to tie just a few more Green Drakes, dry flies for the hatch that long ago captured my heart. I considered a technique that Tom had demonstrated, touch dubbing a well waxed strand of silk and spinning the bobbin, creating a fly body with movement: the essence of life! I tied my Drake bodies full as compared to some of Tom’s ephemeral North Country classics that he ties with this method. The goal was to craft a subtle imitation of a very big mayfly with a softer outline and that gentle movement. I used a bit smaller hook too, a size 10 1X Sprite dry fly hook, letting the indistinct dubbed body give an impression of the larger bug. Fishing in low water, I believe these 100-Year Duns might prove to be an advantage.

I know which rod will accompany me to the river as the shadows begin to gather come evening, a well-used copy of a classic Payne 102H. It is a modern rod built in the image of a classic. With the strength of modern glues, I feel secure stalking amid the darkness for the chance at a trout that might prove too much for a true vintage rod that’s seen more years than I.

I have already taken out a vintage Hardy Perfect to compliment the rod. It too bears a modern edge, as it carries an Airflo Tactical Taper fly line. It’s long, thin front taper will allow me to set these large dry flies down as gently as possible with the long casts required in low water.

I guess I find it fitting, this blend of old and new, for the goal of such tackle is to honor the quarry and the traditions that shaped our sporting consciousness. There is something very special about fishing vintage classics, touching the history they hold with the magic of a spirited wild trout spawned in our time. We are fortunate in that regard, for our forebears fished in the age of heavy stocking of these Catskill rivers.

Consider the gifts we have been given and honor the traditions of sportsmanship passed down to us.