Redfish Flies eBook

Redfish Flies / /

 

Crustaceans, shrimp, crabs, oysters, worms, pinfish, baitfish… dead or alive, it doesn’t really matter, redfish are opportunistic feeders and they eat just about everything.  So catching them on fly should be easy right?

Not for me… For years redfish were my “White Wale” on fly.  Too spooky, near misses, had ’em and lost ’em, terrible tides, you name the excuse I heard it or said it. For the vast majority of us, catching redfish on fly is just not that easy… and tying and designing flies for them, takes a little more than luck and a sharp hook.

“Redfish Flies” is loaded to the gills with ultra high resolution photography illustrating how to tie and fish some of todays best redfish patters.  Guides and guru’s from Florida to Louisiana and everywhere in between have contributed their go-to redfish bugs.  There’s no guess work here, Redfish Flies has elaborate step-by-step instructions for tying these eight proven redfish flies will walk you through the process of creating flies that work.  Insightful interviews with each patterns creator will help you understand what conditions the fly is best suited for, and how the fly should be fished.  Stunning photos from renowned photographers Pat Ford, Adrian Gray and David McCleaf will awe and inspire you to dust off your vise and get tying!

The eight pattens outlined in Redfish Flies have been fine-tuned and rigorously tested on countless grass flats, oyster bars and mangrove shorelines.  Tying and stocking your box with this proven assortment of flies will ensure you have the ammunition need to coax even the most refined redfish, and the insight provided in the interviews of the contributing guides and tying guru’s will help you understand what factors need to be consider to create your own productive redfish flies.

Step-by-step tying instructions for tying the Kung Fu Blue Crab, Fiddle Sticks Crab, Pine Island Ice Tea, Budagrassy Shrimp, Rump Shaker, Grass Monkey,Gulf Shrimp, and the Batman.  Eight proven patterns for catching redfish.  “Redfish Flies” is a 175 page downloadable pdf. illustrated with ultra-hi resolution images.

Insights from eight saltwater fly tiers, including  Drew Chicone, Capt. Ron Ratliff, Capt. Daniel Andrews, Drei Stroman, Chris Kincaid, Capt. Joe Costadura, Bill Laminack, and Don Reed.

 

If you have questions or other topics in mind you would like explained, feel free to comment or send me an email.

Keep Your Wraps Tight & Feathers Straight

-Drew

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“Kiss the Water” Movie Review

Drew's Corner / /

“Kiss the Water” is an enchanting documentary detailing the life of the implausibly talented fly tyer Megan Boyd.  As if by magic this new fly fishing film transports you to an idyllic world trapped in time.

The fairy tail unfolds in the scenic rolling hills of Scotland. Amusing interviews with Megan’s childhood friends help to recount who she was, what it was like growing up in that era, and how her artfully tied flies became coveted by Royalty.  Her stunning patterns are truly something to behold, and the vibrantly colored feathers seem to come alive in high definition.  The delicate interplay between breathtaking streamside vistas and vibrant dreamlike animations are masterfully intertwined throughout, gripping even the non-fisherman and tyers amongst us.

This is an amazing work reaches far beyond documenting the life of a world-renowned fly tyer and transcends your typical fly fishing film…Evoking unanswered questions within all fly fishermen.  I highly recommend you immerse yourself in this astonishing piece of cinematography.

Use the code FLYFISH For a 10% off the digital download at kiss-the-water.com

 

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Steve Gibson’s DT Special Snook Fly

Snook Flies / /

I think it was about 1992-93. I received the original DT Special (I might add well used) from Capt. Matt Hoover of Naples. We had been talking about fly fishing for snook in the surf and he told me the DT would be the only fly I’d ever need. He was right.  I actually “redesigned” the pattern. My fly-tying mentor, the late George Rose, always told me that there are no new flies. “They’re variations on a similar theme,” he’d say. I think he was right. Even though the surf is fairly shallow where I fish (Sarasota to Boca Grande), I believe a fly must get down quickly to the eye level of the snook. So, with that in mind, I decided to tie four neck hackles facing, rather than splaying them as per the original. The fly gets down just a little quicker. I also built up the head of the fly and added 3D Prism Eyes. I’m a big believer in eyes on a fly.

This is the sixth installment of  Snook Flies. To read the rest of the interview, and for the complete step-by-step instructions for tying this snook fly and 7 more,  download your copy of Snook Flies at www.saltyflytying.com.

165  page downloadable pdf. is illustrated with ultra-hi resolution  step-by-step instructions, click the link, or icon to download your copy today.  $14.99  The paperback version should be available just in time for Christmas.  Detailed instructions for tying Joe Mahler’s Straw Boss, Dave Johnson’s Petticoat Streamer, Pete Squibb’s Dirty Squibbster, Drei Stroman’s Crystal D, Bill Baldus’s Neon Knight, Nicholas Davis’s Lightsaber Pilchard, Steve Gibson’s DT Special variation, and my go to the Captiva Cannibal.

If you have questions or other topics in mind you would like explained, feel free to comment or send me an email.

Keep Your Wraps Tight & Feathers Straight!

-Drew

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Nick Davis’s Lightsaber Pilchard Snook Fly

Snook Flies / /

 

After flipping through the bin at the fly shop and scrolling through Instagram I got the idea to use flash and tie it much like an EP minnow. It was only by mistake I developed my favorite beach snook pattern. While it is my favorite beach pattern, I often pull it from the box when the water is super muddy and visibility is low. After a little R&D I got the idea to use glow Flashabou for some gills and the rest they say is history. I think this pattern is ultra effective due to the slight crinkling of the polar flash matched with the pronounced epoxy nose. There’s just something about that Polar Flash that resembles real scales and the epoxy nose is very life like.

This is the fifth installment of  Snook Flies. To read the rest of the interview, and for the complete step-by-step instructions for tying this snook fly and 7 more,  download your copy of Snook Flies at www.saltyflytying.com.

165  page downloadable pdf. is illustrated with ultra-hi resolution  step-by-step instructions, click the link, or icon to download your copy today.  $14.99  The paperback version should be available just in time for Christmas.  Detailed instructions for tying Joe Mahler’s Straw Boss, Dave Johnson’s Petticoat Streamer, Pete Squibb’s Dirty Squibbster, Drei Stroman’s Crystal D, Bill Baldus’s Neon Knight, Nicholas Davis’s Lightsaber Pilchard, Steve Gibson’s DT Special variation, and my go to the Captiva Cannibal.

If you have questions or other topics in mind you would like explained, feel free to comment or send me an email.

Keep Your Wraps Tight & Feathers Straight!

-Drew

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Capt. Bill Baldus’s Neon Knight Snook Fly

Snook Flies / /

“Good fish at nine o’clock, forty feet, can you see him?” I said.  “Yup,” was all he said.  The cast landed close, about 2 feet to the right and settled for a second, short strip. The snook charged hard and we were connected.” Yes, we have a new fly,” was all I could say as we landed a great snook. Then I remembered my manners and congratulated my angler. He understood.  This fly triggered an awesome strike, did not spook the fish and solved all of the problems of previous attempts. And so was born the Neon Knight. Since then, it has become my go-to fly.  The Neon Knight is fished in the same manner as any baitfish imitation. Let it sink a bit and vary the retrieve from short to long strips depending on your target. You will find that it lands softly and sinks slowly as the synthetics do not absorb water.

This is the fifth installment of  Snook Flies. To read the rest of the interview, and for the complete step-by-step instructions for tying this snook fly and 7 more,  download your copy of Snook Flies at www.saltyflytying.com.

 

165  page downloadable pdf. is illustrated with ultra-hi resolution  step-by-step instructions, click the link, or icon to download your copy today.  $14.99  The paperback version should be available just in time for Christmas.  Detailed instructions for tying Joe Mahler’s Straw Boss, Dave Johnson’s Petticoat Streamer, Pete Squibb’s Dirty Squibbster, Drei Stroman’s Crystal D, Bill Baldus’s Neon Knight, Nicholas Davis’s Lightsaber Pilchard, Steve Gibson’s DT Special variation, and my go to the Captiva Cannibal.

If you have questions or other topics in mind you would like explained, feel free to comment or send me an email.

Keep Your Wraps Tight & Feathers Straight!

-Drew

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Drei Stroman’s Crystal D Snook Fly

Snook Flies / /

 

The original gold Crystal D was designed in 2005 as a saltwater utility fly, appealing to Snook Sea trout, Redfish, Snapper, Jacks, and myriad other species.  The idea behind the pattern was to develop a fly that would provide the same flashy appearance as a gold spoon without the wobble. For clear water situation this pattern has been modified with white and translucent materials.  One of the keys to the fly’s effectiveness is its larger profile yet light presentation. This fly was designed to imitate small baitfish and can be fished effectively in both shallow and deep water conditions.

This is the forth installment of  Snook Flies. To read the rest of the interview, and for the complete step-by-step instructions for tying this snook fly and 7 more,  download your copy of Snook Flies at www.saltyflytying.com.

 

165  page downloadable pdf. is illustrated with ultra-hi resolution  step-by-step instructions, click the link, or icon to download your copy today.  $14.99  The paperback version should be available just in time for Christmas.  Detailed instructions for tying Joe Mahler’s Straw Boss, Dave Johnson’s Petticoat Streamer, Pete Squibb’s Dirty Squibbster, Drei Stroman’s Crystal D, Bill Baldus’s Neon Knight, Nicholas Davis’s Lightsaber Pilchard, Steve Gibson’s DT Special variation, and my go to the Captiva Cannibal.

If you have questions or other topics in mind you would like explained, feel free to comment or send me an email.

Keep Your Wraps Tight & Feathers Straight!

-Drew

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Pete Squibbs’ Dirty Squibbster Snook Fly

Snook Flies / /

Because the waters along the beaches were so churned up and dirty, my normal light and bright patterns just didn’t seem to stand out. I was picking up snook occasionally, so I knew the snook were still in close to the beaches, but it seemed like they just weren’t able to pick the flies out in those water conditions. Using the Squibbster as a base, I began experimenting with various color combinations and materials to produce a fly that was more visible in ” muddy ” water.

My experience with spring steelhead fishing has shown gold/ yellow/ copper colors to be more productive. After a couple weeks of experimenting, I settled on tan as the contrasting color that appears to be visually stimulating to the fish in dirty water.

This is the third installment of  Snook Flies. To read the rest of the interview, and for the complete step-by-step instructions for tying this snook fly and 7 more,  download your copy of Snook Flies at www.saltyflytying.com.

 

165  page downloadable pdf. is illustrated with ultra-hi resolution  step-by-step instructions, click the link, or icon to download your copy today.  $14.99  The paperback version should be available just in time for Christmas.  Detailed instructions for tying Joe Mahler’s Straw Boss, Dave Johnson’s Petticoat Streamer, Pete Squibb’s Dirty Squibbster, Drei Stroman’s Crystal D, Bill Baldus’s Neon Knight, Nicholas Davis’s Lightsaber Pilchard, Steve Gibson’s DT Special variation, and my go to the Captiva Cannibal.

If you have questions or other topics in mind you would like explained, feel free to comment or send me an email.

Keep Your Wraps Tight & Feathers Straight!

-Drew

Pete Squibbs’ Dirty Squibbster Snook Fly Read More »