Pens Are My Friends!!!!
( I do have others-- I think??)
" Henry, did Craig fall down and bump his head really hard" some may ask??? Henry, of course answers in my defense.......
Henry,.... Henry........, Henry!!!!!
"Oh, sorry, what was that, oh yes, argh hum, I - ah , No. ahhh.... Craig unequivocally did not fall down and bump his head. He really does like pens, permanent markers that is!!"
Yes, I do!!! Why you ask?? Permanent markers offer me tremendous versatility when tying. They give me a host of options. Although most patterns I tie are impressionistic, I've come to appreciate that whatever realistic additions I might be able to add to a particular pattern - certainly couldn't hurt. ( An extra trigger???) It certainly doesn't mean, that realistic patterns will catch more fish than other styles of patterns - but- at certain times and in certain situations , especially in waters that are heavily fished, that little extra addition might make the difference!!!
Note: When I tie a pattern that looks a bit more realistic - it's really for me, because I enjoy it. Of course I hope the fish would also. By so doing- I have more confidence in that pattern - in turn I might have better success !!! However, the controversy over which work best - Realistic or Impressionistic patterns, is not an issue here. These are just some tying options!!!!
First, let's begin where it all starts - at the bench. Permanent markers can be your friend long before you ever get to your favorite stream. Markers can be used (at the Bench) for Nymphs, Caddis larva, and caddis pupa, as well as for dries and emergers. For those of you on a real budget, or those who have run out of genuine lemon wood duck, and you have some natural mallard flank, a mixture of yellow and brown marker worked in with your fingers - comes reasonably close to the real thing. A little white Zelon can be turned into a mayfly shuck with a brown marker. A combination of an olive marker and a Black marker, gives a realistic color to the dorsal portion (ex. the back) of a Rhyacophila Larva a.k.a green rock worm or (Rhyacophila Pupa) For Stenonema Nymphs - (Gray foxes, or cahills) a small amount of fine point brown marker along the top half of the abdomen, can make a very realistic looking body! For those who enjoy tying extended body Green drakes with deer hair, markers will make it the color you want! You can also make the smaller sulphurs, (dorotheas) a more orangey-yellow color. When using latex, or thin skin for larva or pupa bodies, color in the edge of the material to give a realistic segmented look. When traveling to your favorite fishing destination, do you bring a portable tying kit? Trim off a little bulk, bring only white thread. Make it any color you want!!! There are endless possibilities, you are only limited by your creativity and imagination (and the color pens you have!!!)
Even if your on your favorite river, you can tweak a fly. Example (true story) I was on one of our local streams, fairly early in the season, about the third week in April. It was a warm spring, but I hadn't given much thought to the spring olives that might make their appearance. (Baetis vagans) As they began to come off, I tied on a size 16 BWO that I had tied up the year before for a trip to the Willowemoc. Unfortunately I tied these with a light olive dubbing, consequently, the trout wouldn't even give them a look. After a bit of frustration, I asked a fellow upstream (who was hammering them), what he was using. " Size 16 BWO " he yelled back. As I scratched my head and wondered, one of the bugs decided to land on my waders. After inspecting the insect, it became clear, the olives were-- dark olive, almost brownish.
I changed to a fresh fly, pulled out my brown prismamarker, dabbed a small amount on my finger, and lightly worked in just a bit of color. Looked about right, I thought. For the next two and half hours, I had the time of my life.
Over the past few years, I have looked for ways to simplify. Let me explain. When I was a bit younger, in my excursions to my favorite stream or river, I would attempt to bring every possible pattern or combination of patterns, that might possibly make it's appearance while I was present.
Now, that might not seem like such a daunting task, except for the fact -- that after a friend snapped a photograph of me - streamside; it revealed that I strongly resembled the Michelin man, so I decided to re-evaluate my inventory!!
But -- where to start. I might need this, or I might need that, or what about this color fly????Well it's true, there are endless possibilities when your on the stream.
First, I only carry basic color markers in my vest. Usually - black, brown, olive, gray and yellow, and a white Mean Streak marker.
Idea: MISSION IMPOSSIBLE ????
Carry only flies with light dubbed bodies!!! - Then color them to suit your needs!
a.) Mayflies - Light bodies, cream hackle, cream tails.
b.) Caddis -light bodies, light deer hair, or CDC wing
c.) Emergers- Light bodies, light wing, light shuck.
d.) Nymphs - (I know for some that's Heresy) - Light bodies, dark wing case, light tails.
Do you think it's possible to be successful in our watershed???
I believe it is ! Now, the question is, how many of us are willing to do that? I'll be the first to admit - I DON'T. But, I'm toying with the idea. (Ok , OK, when your done laughing, get off the floor.) The bottom line is Permanent markers can be a tremendous asset - both at the bench as well as on stream. Use them to add that little something to your favorite pattern, that will help coax those beautiful fish to attach themselves to your line. Try Em - You'll like Em!!!!!!
You may find you have more friends than you realize!!!