I've been tying grasshopper patterns for more years than I can remember. I started with the old standard Joe's Hopper, then moved on to another standard called the Letort hopper, and then to Dave Whitlock's version with the clipped deer [more]

Bugskin is a byproduct of the fancy leather goods industry and is available in a variety of colors. The most commonly used for tying beetles should be Bronze or Black although there are some bright fluorescent greens that look really good [more]

This fly has worked consistently for me all over the United States. The first time I fished it was out in Montana on the Madison River. There was a little side channel coming off the river in which a dozen or more good fish were rising. [more]

No self-respecting trout will turn down a juicy black cricket. This one has the added attraction of a little flash at the butt that seems to really improve its effectiveness. I have fished it on spring creeks, tail-waters, freestone [more]

The firefly is probably the most productive pattern I have in my fly box. I've fished this fly for over ten years and so have many of my friends. It has been one of the top producers for all of us. It's a very durable pattern and very [more]

It doesn't seem to matter what the hatch has been all day when flying ants begin to fall on the water. Trout will switch to them in a heartbeat. No one should go fishing without a selection of both Cinnamon and Black flying ant patterns. [more]

If you like the old McMurray Ant you'll love this pattern: easy to tie, cheap, tough as a pine knot and a real producer. One thing about ants--they are everywhere--and seem to make a habit out of falling into trout streams. You can [more]

Anybody who raises roses knows about the Japanese Beetle. When there's an outbreak of this insect many find their way into trout streams and I have yet to find a trout that wouldn't eat a Japanese Beetle. Vince Marinaro designed and [more]

It's called that for a good reason. Years ago I noticed that most ants are translucent and you can see through the body: they almost glow with an inner light. Vince Marinaro described this phenomenon in "A Modern Dry Fly Code" and [more]

The first time I fished this pattern I took over 20 nice browns on Virginia's Smith River and have witnesses to prove it. I've tried it on the East coast and I've tried it out West as well. For some reason this pattern really produces [more]