Patterns We Tie and Fish

For us, our engagement in fly fishing is made complete by catching a fish on a fly that was hand tied on the home fly vice. Tying flies requires critter knowledge, life cycle knowledge, technical tying skills, and of course never ending tying supplies. This page is devoted to sharing some of the flies we tie and love. We will discuss modifications to common fly patterns that we use across Colorado and much of the American West. Above all, we want to share our love of fly tying and fly fishing.

The Malarkey midge is an original fly created by Jeremy Moore. This fly was created and modified over a couple of years of fishing it across Colorado's Front Range rivers. This midge really fishes well throughout the year as a lead fly or trailer. The body effect is created with clear tubing and a bronze metallic Sharpie. This technique is a modification of the body effect pioneered by Hopper Juan Ramirez for creating his Pale Ale Midge. The front of the fly consists of a root beer bead, pearl flat braid, and goose hackle. This midge really flashes in murkier water between the metallic bronze body and pearl flat braid - making it a great alternative when rainbow warriors and other large midges are not producing. We also tie the fly in a mercury and tungsten version. In Colorado, we tie this between sizes 18 and 22. This midge is currently under review at Umpqua Feather Merchants for a chance to join Umpqua's Signature fly collection. Whether the midge meets Umpqua's criteria to join the elite flies in their signature collection; it is fairly easy for anybody to tie. Tie it, and Fly it!

The Sannelid was created on a three month stint fishing the San Juan River below Navajo Dam.

Some of the most productive flies I fish are unintentional modifications to famous flies. This is due to the simple fact that I'm often too lazy to run to the fly shop. Instead, I convince myself I can use a similiar material and replicate the fly. It usually never works from a visual standpoint. I'm convinced they hit my trash flies because they have already figured out the 200 pretty versions placed in fishing reports and purchased on the way to the river.

Tie Ugly ~ Fly Ugly