Half & Half Pattern Description: This is one of my very favorite general baitfish imitations.  Pretty much every fish that swims will eat a Half & Half.  It's a combination of the ubiquitous Clouser Minnow and Deceiver patterns and is super easy to tie.  This one can be done from fairly small up to full

Barr's Damsel Pattern Description: John Barr knows a thing or three about catching fish.  He's the most creative tyer of our time and here is his simple damsel nymph pattern. Materials Needed: Hook: TMC 200 #8-14 Thread: Olive 6/0 Eyes: Melted Mono Tail: Olive marabou Rib: 3x monofilament Shellback: Tan Thinskin Abdomen: Olive

Haymaker, Craven's Pattern Description: From FlyFisherman Magazine Craven’s Haymaker July 17, 2016 Fly Fisherman Magazine Most often when I sit down to try to develop a new pattern I have a theme in mind. These themes can often be summed up by a single word; slim, heavy, wide, specific, detailed, buoyant...things like that. Flies like

Wooly Bugger Pattern Description: The Wooly Bugger was invented by Russell Blessing long enough ago that most folks don’t know who he is. Mr. Blessing, perhaps inadvertently, developed what is now the single most popular streamer in the world. The Bugger is a slight variation of the ubiquitous Wooly Worm, which sports a body and

Zug Bug Pattern Description: The Zug Bug is an older pattern that bears a striking resemblence to its younger cousin, the Prince Nymph. I like this bug because it features lots of fish catching peacock herl and is just a little something different from the now commonplace Prince, and it doesn't hurt my feelings that

Parachute Damsel Adult Pattern Description: Damselflies are common on many stillwaters. These "Mosquito Hawks" as they are called, hatch after the nymph swims to the bank and crawls out of the water where it splits and the adult emergers. Immediately after hatching, these teneral adults are pale yellowish to tan to olive in color and

Meat Whistle, Barr's Pattern Description: This is John Barr's Meat Whistle....a pattern he developed for bass fishing here in Colorado to replicate the pig n' jig used by conventional tackle anglers. John is one incredibly creative guy and coupled marabou and rabbit strips with a Gamakatsu jig hook to craft a fly rod worthy comparison.

Jumbo Juju Chironomid Pattern Description: While there are several obvious advantages that come from working in a fly shop, one of the best has to be the daily interaction with customers. Folks from all walks of life stroll through the door, some in seek of the latest and greatest in rods and reels, some searching

Hornberg Pattern Description: The Hornberg comes from the mid-west originally, but has been a favorite pattern of many old timers in Colorado and Wyoming. The very first commercial order of flies I ever tied was a batch of Hornbergs and I have hated them ever since;-) The "Hornberger" as my kid likes to call this

Gilled Nymph, Stalcup's Pattern Description: The Gilled Nymph is a pattern from Colorado's own Shane Stalcup. Shane was one of the most prominent tyers on the scene these days with several innovative patterns to his credit. The Gilled Nymph is certainly one of his most popular patterns 'cause the damn thing catches fish. The pattern