[Video] Sticky Icky Caddis Larva Pattern
Rich of Catching Shadows shows us in this fly tying video how to tie his Sticky Icky, another easy to tie Caddis larva pattern that also passes for a grub imitation. Chewy Caddis Larva The Sticky Icky Caddis larva gets its’ name from the UV Chewee Skin it is made from. UV Chewee Skin is a stretchy, UV reflective material that is highly visible to trout and makes great Caddis larva fly bodies – and yes it is chewy. As Rich points out, make sure to tie in the UV Chewee Skin with the reflective (shinny side) facing out. About [...]
Categories: Fly Tying, Nymphs Tags: caddis, caddis larvae, caddis patterns, fly tying video, Rich Strolis
[Fly Tying] The Ice-Pick Streamer with Fish-Skull
In this Friday Night Fly Tying Video Rich Strolis of Catching Shadows unveils his “Ice-Pick” streamer, a variation the of classic Zonker featuring the Fish-Skull which is a weighted head with a realistic looking baitfish profile. New Fly Tying Product Fish-Skull The Fish-Skull by Flymen Fishing Company won the Dealers Choice Award for the best new Fly Tying product at the 2010 International Fly Tackle Dealer Show in Denver, Colorado and Rich Strolis makes them come alive in this killer streamer pattern. Rich ties the Ice-Pick in a variety of colors including white, grizzly, olive and orange and black. Perfect [...]
Categories: Fly Tying, Steelhead Flies, Streamers Tags: fall fishing, fly tying video, Rich Strolis, steelhead, streamer
Tying a Sunken Spinner Trico – Video
This week’s Friday Night Fly Tying Video is brought to us by Rich Strolis and features a trio of unique sunken spinner Trico videos. Yes sunken. Tips on Tying Tricos When I first saw this Trico video I was a little puzzled by the use of the tungsten bead, but Rich quickly addressed my concern by pointing out how short and stout Tricos are, hence the bead is not all that out of proportion. Next up – tail length. The tail on most mayfly patterns is usually about as long as the body of the fly. Tricos on the other [...]
Categories: Fly Tying, Midges, Wet Flies Tags: fly tying video, Rich Strolis, trico video, tricos
Rich’s Super Simple Sulfur Nymphs
Rich’s Super Simple Sulfur Nymph #1 from Richard Strolis on Vimeo. Our Friday Night Fly Tying Video is brought to us this week by Rich Strolis of Catching Shadows and features a buggy looking Sulfur fly that makes a great anchor fly in a long-line light nymph rig and is super simple to tie to boot. What could be better? Well how about a pair of Super Simple Sulfur Nymphs which is what you get in this two for one fly tying video bonanza! Yeehaw! Sulfur Nymph Simple Tips Rich slips in a few great tips in this video that [...]
Categories: Fly Tying, Nymphs Tags: fly tying video, Rich Strolis, sulfur nymph
Farmington River Fishing Well Through Summer Heat
Guest post by Rich Strolis Farmington River Tailwater Well June came and went and the fishing was nothing short of spectacular. The Farmington River has been holding steady at a flow between 240-350 cfs with temperatures in the 50′s, perfect for trout. With releases a bit lower than last season and a reservoir with an abundance of water we should see sustained cold water into mid-August or later before we get any sort of flip effect. Yellow Mayflies Abound The sulfurs are here in full force and have been providing some great surface activity from anytime in the afternoon. With [...]
Categories: Connecticut, Destinations Tags: Farmington River, Farmington River fishing report, Rich Strolis
[May] Farmington River Fishing Report
Along with his Farmington River fishing report today, Rich Strolis sent me this photo from a recent guide trip titled “Kids love fish too”. He’s got that right! Here’s what Rich had to say about Farmington River fishing right now. Farmington River Conditions The river is at a fantastic flow right now. Holding steady around 400 cfs, 50 degree water temperatures and hungry trout. The fish can be found in all water types right now. We are transitioning on the Farmington right now in terms of mayfly hatches. March Browns are making their way up the river, Yellow Quills are [...]
Categories: Connecticut, Destinations Tags: Connecticut, Farmington River, Farmington River fishing report, Rich Strolis
[April] Farmington River Fishing Report
We welcome Rich Strolis to our growing family of guides providing you the latest fly fishing reports for the best trout fisheries in the US. Today we take a look at the Farmington River located in north central Connecticut. Farmington River Fishing Conditions Couldn’t be closer to perfect. The flows right now are just under 400 cfs and look to remain pretty much the same even with the little shot of rain earlier this week. With no significant rain in the forecast and a warmer weekend, the fishing should be red hot. The upper West Branch Farmington River Trout Management [...]
Categories: Connecticut, Destinations Tags: Connecticut, Farmington River, Farmington River fishing report, Rich Strolis
[Video] Hendrickson Soft Hackle
This week’s Friday Night Fly Tying Video is brought to us by Rich Strolis of Catching Shadows Guide Service and features a buggy looking Hendrickson soft hackle. Tips on Tying Hendrickson Soft Hackle You’ll notice Rich is using a heavier thread (UTC 140) which is easier to split when making a dubbing rope. When using a heavier thread I find you really need to be careful with the number of thread wraps used to avoid thread build up. Watch the video carefully and you’ll see how precise Rich is with the number of thread wraps; you could probably count the [...]
Categories: Fly Tying, Soft Hackles Tags: Fly Tying, fly tying video, Hendrickson, Rich Strolis, soft hackles
[Video] Shucked Up Baetis Emerger Fly Pattern
Wow is all I can say about this Baetis emerger pattern by Rich Strolis of Catching-Shadows Guide Service. Rich has been on fire lately cranking out one beautiful fly pattern after another and this mayfly emerger pattern is no exception. I will definitely be tying a few of these up this weekend getting ready for one of my favorite hatches of the year, the Blue-Winged Olives. Baetis Emerger Material List Hook: TMC 108SP-BL Thread: UTC 70 Shuck: Orangutan Ice Fur Collar: Ostrich Legs: Partridge Wing: Snowshoe Rabbit Body/Head: Superfine dubbing Baetis Emerger Behavior In case you missed it, we have [...]
Categories: Emergers, Fly Tying Tags: baetis emerger, baetis fly pattern, BWO emerger, Rich Strolis
[Video] Winter Flies – Caddis Pattern
Rich Strolis demonstrates how to a tie this simple foam caddis emerger fly pattern. This caddis fly pattern is popular on the Farmington River, one of Connecticut’s premier trout streams.
Categories: Fly Tying, Nymphs Tags: Farmington River, fly tying video, housatonic river, Rich Strolis
