I tallied up my fly-tying log this morning to see exactly what I accomplished this past year. The total, as titled above, came out somewhat below my average retirement production. Perhaps I’m getting old.
It is true that I did log one hundred thirteen days on the water in 2023, though since it is my custom to tie a few flies in the mornings before heading out to the river, that cannot be used as an excuse. One hundred ten dozen is a significant number of flies in any case, particularly for one who no longer ties commercially.
Experimentation and a bit of inventiveness is certainly a factor, as is my interest in the history of trout flies, both leading to the production of a good quantity of patterns. Of course, something on the order of 98 percent of the flies born in my vise are dry flies, for that is squarely where my passions lie.
As far as my winter goals, the Davidson Special is certainly a priority. Mahlon Davidson’s classic, dubbed with fox dyed with willow bark, strikes me as an excellent imitation for the Green Drake. It’s delicacy should be a primary trigger for the most heavily pressured trout of the season. I hope I find enough of those cherished flies upon the water this spring to fish the pattern with confidence!
I have already prepared the various dubbing blends and tied samples for the expansion of my A.I. series, flies inspired by the late John Atherton, so that winter project has been slated as complete. The Translucence Series may receive some adjustment in shade, just to see if I can improve upon their initial effectiveness.
There is another idea lurking in my thoughts, a cross between a 100-Year Dun and a twenty-some year-old pattern I called the CDC Outrigger Dun. Perhaps I should play with that a bit since it has come to mind…
It seems I have whiled away another winter’s morning, savoring the last volume of my cherished Dana Lamb library, beginning a pair of Gordon Quills, and putting down these thoughts. Only ninety-seven more to go…
Bright Waters Catskill 