Fly Tying Instruction
Below are complete tying instructions for fly patterns that I use for a number of species on the local rivers and lakes. Information on how to fish these flies are often included. Print out, stock your fly box and have fun tying!
"Tying the Goblin" shows you how to tie a fly pattern that
is a cross between a Goby and Sculpin - two important food sources to a number of species including trout and smallmouth bass. Learn how to tie and use this fly the next time you are fishing either lakes or rivers.
"Tying the Tar Baby" is how I tie my version of a the pattern which borrows elelments from the Ninja Mutant Ant. It serves primarily as a Cicada pattern (think terrestrials, summer time and bugs clicking in the trees), but also works well as an attractor. It's easy to tie, floats well and catches fish - what's not to like about it?
"Tying the Borcher's Drake" demonstrates how to tie one of the regions most versatile and important mayfly imitations. Representing a number of differnt mayflies, this easy to tie parachute version should be in every Michigan angler's box in an assortment of sizes to cover lots of hatches in May and June.
"Tying the Beaded Alevin" offers step-by-step instructions on how to tie and effectively fish an important fly pattern for anglers fishing steelhead and trout. In rivers where natural reproduction takes place, small fish become a targeted food source for adult fish.
"Tying the Tube Sucker" shows you how to tie a spey/streamer ("speymer") on a tube rather than on a traditional hook. This pattern is effective for those of you looking to swing flies for steelhead. Interested in tying on tubes? It's simple and not much different than tying on hook shanks and offers some advantages.
These instructions include on how to tie this effective streamer pattern which is also versatile for a number of other species including trout, bass, steelhead, salmon, pike and more. Play around with colors and have an easy to cast fly that offers flash and motion in unlimited color combintations.
Reveals one of my favorite patterns for trophy trout including how to tie and fish it. Imitating the rainbow trout which are often planted in the local rivers gets the attention some really big trout who eat big. Change the colors to develop other patterns which represent other food sources like perch for pike and bass, creek chubs for trout and pike or just create bright attention getting patterns for various species and condtions.
Here are instruction on how to tie one of my top flies for both steelhead and carp fishing. With an inverted hook, this fly swims along the bottom where carp key in on food without getting snagged on the bottom or dulling the hook point. With mayflies making up a large portion of their diet in Grand Traverse Bay, it's an important fly to have in your box.
Here are step-by-step instructions on how to tie a hex pattern that incorporates a glow-in-the-dark strike indicator to help you track the fly and keep it floating at the same time. Fishing at night can prove to be tricky with not knowing exactly where your fly is or whether or not it's floating - this pattern can help address those shortfalls of fishing at night.
Egg flies are significant to those who fish for steelhead and salmon. The classic and standard patterns have given way to some others that offer realism and/or
attraction. Quick and easy to tie, here are a number of patterns to tie.