The ADG Special

Gramp was a fishermen, not a fly fisherman, rather, he preferred to chase brook trout with his spinning gear. A small flashy spinner with a worm on it was his favorite way to catch a 'feed' of trout. This is also how I started out fishing, spinning gear and digging worms. I remember trips with my Dad, Gramp and uncles always chasing brook trout with our flashy spinners.  I learned to love fishing and no matter how we caught them it was all good.

I've been puttering away at the vise tying up some spring streamers and it occurred to me that if Gramp ever got into salmon fishing he would have only had patience enough for spring fishing when the kelt bite was aggressive and almost always "on". I wanted to tie a fly in his honor that would be a good kelt fly, something that he'd tie on and leave on until it had been chewed to pieces and then ask for another. I posted a beta version online and my buddy Pete suggested it needed a couple grizzly hackles to set it off... Well I tried it and really liked the look of it so this fly, more or less, will now be known as the "Albert Douglas Gould Special". I think I can forego the usual formality of hooking a fish before naming it in this case. I'll also get back to the vise and tie a tidier version  but for now,
here's beta 2!

Daiichi 2271 size 1

Mustad 36890 size 2/0

                         

In Memory of Albert Douglas Gould, 1931-2014.

I'm going to miss you, Gramp.

Thanks for that day when we were out duck hunting in the driving rain when I was 7 or 8 and you let me stand under under your raincoat to keep dry. Through this and countless other ways, you showed Dad and you showed me the joys of hunting and fishing and I don't think I ever said thank-you...

http://www.brenansfh.com/obituaries/85849

And a few more for spring....

Spring flies are usually what it takes to get me away from deerhair and it seems to be working... I can't wait until April to give these a swing! The next thing I need to pickup is a dark green cape so I can tie some actual deep green beauties :)

 

 

 

 

Spring fly time!

I figured it's time to start tying the odd spring fly among all the bugs so I popped over to Doiron Sports Excellence to pick up some trusty 2/0 Mustad salmon irons -- for spring in NB, with high and cold water, this hook is pretty much ideal in size and design... Relatively cost effective as well. It's pretty darned nice to be able to find decent tying supplies in Saint John for a change. Marc and Co are doing a nice job stocking the store, there's more out every time I go over and it's clear they're now in the business!

And here's one I tied last night with some barred yellow rabbit strips also purchased at Doiron's. 

Come on spring! 

 

A bit of fly tyers humor ..

I was in a giddy mood last night at the bench while tying a few spring flies and this creature emerged ....

The ultimate fly to deal with 'short takes'! Lol! 

But on a serious note, I tie my bugs with a hackle that starts at the head and wraps back to the tail for 2 reasons... The first and most important is durability ... Putting it on this way allows for 2 full wraps of thread over the feather versus 1 or sometimes NONE with the tail to head method.. Simply put, the way I use makes a more durable fly and that can't be debated. The second reason is  because I prefer the look which is obviously subjective.. Each tyer will prefer one look over the other, I doubt either way makes a difference to the fish, just remember MY way makes a more durable fly =D 

A couple examples: