MEETING INFO AND OTHER INTERESTING AND IMPORTANT STUFF / TRO
Additional Information
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I AM POSTING ON THESE PAGES AT LEAST 2 TIMES PER WEEK, NEW INFO AND PICS PLEASE CHECK THEM OUT, YOU DON'T NEED AN ACCOUNT TO VISIT AND PLEASE PASS THE WORD /SHARE TO YOUR FAMILY, FRIENDS AND OTHER PEOPLE AND GROUPS THAT MAY BE INTERESTED IN WHAT TJTU IS UP TO! HELP US BUILD OUR FOLLOWING!
FLY OF THE MONTH PATTERN PICS IN THE GALLERY ON THE HOME PAGE
THE NORTHSIDE LIBRARY IS STILL CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC AND WE DON'T FORESEE THAT CHANGING ANYTIME SOON
WE ARE LOOKING FOR AN AFFORDABLE MEETING SPACE AND WILL HOPEFULLY GET BACK TO REGULAR MEETINGS BY SUMMER IF POSSIBLE.
IN THE MEANTIME PLEASE CHECK HERE WEEKLY, AND CHECK US OUT ON FACEBOOK
AS I TRY TO GET AT LEAST 2 NEW POSTS ON THERE PER WEEK
*PLEASE TAKE NOTE!*
THE MOORMAN'S RIVER PERMITS COST HAS RISEN TO $55 AND BECAME EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2021!
ONE OF OUR OBJECTIVES IN THE MOORMAN'S PERMIT SYSTEM BESIDES RUNNING THE PROGRAM THERE AND FUNDING OUR OTHER PROJECTS IS TO PROVIDE NOT ONLY AN ACCESSIBLE BUT AN AFFORDABLE VENUE FOR CATCH AND RELEASE FLY FISHING FOR TROUT! AN EASY TO ACCESS, QUALITY EXPERIENCE FOR ALL TO ENJOY AND LEARN THE SPORT AND ABOUT COLDWATER CONSERVATION!
TO KEEP UP WITH COSTS AND OUR AMBITIONS TO GROW OUR TROUT IN THE CLASSROOM PROGRAMS AND BROADEN OUR OUTREACH AND PROJECTS ITS NECESSARY TO RAISE PRICES AFTER MORE THAN 10 YEARS!
FEB 17 2021 MOORMAN'S
SPEC REGS REPORT
WOOLY BUGGERS- SZ 8 OLIVE/BLK/GOLDEN/ ETC
CADDIS LARVA- SZ 14 GREEN AND TAN
CADDIS ADULTS- SZ 12-14 OCTOBER CADDIS /SZ 16 TAN
SAN JUAN WORMS SZ 14 BROWN / RED
EGG PATTERNS SZ 14 1/4 IN DIA. IN ORANGE/ YELLOW
MIDGES- GRIFFITHS GNATS SZ 20-22
MIDGE LARVA- SZ 20/22 BLACK/ RED/ CHARTREUSE GREEN,
FLOWS ARE UP AGAIN AND COLD!
MOUNTAIN BROOK TROUT STREAMS
FLOWS ARE GOOD BUT COLD! FISH DEEP IF YOU MUST OR BETTER YET WAIT FOR WARMER WEATHER FOR MOUNTAIN STREAM FISHING!
STOCKED STREAMS- FLOWS UP AND COLD, FISH DEEP AND SLOW!
BE WELL, BE SAFE AND GO FISH RESPONSIBLY!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!NEW INFO NOV 10 2020!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
HUDSON STOLZ, A LOCAL HS STUDENT IS WORKING TO EARN HIS CONGRESSIONAL SERVICE MEDAL THRU THE NATIONAL LEADERSHIP COMMITTEE BY VOLUNTEERING WIT TJTU ON THE MOORMAN'S SPECIAL SECTION!
HE HAS BEEN WORKING ON THE ACCESSIBLE TRAILS AT THE FLAT POOL AND WILL CONTINUE WITH VARIOUS PROJECTS OUT THERE THRU THE SUMMER AND FALL. LOOK FOR PICS OF HIS PROGRESS HERE AND ON OUR FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM PAGES
ARTIE HUMPHEYS ANOTHER LOCAL HS STUDENT AND BOY SCOUT WILL STARTING HIS EAGLE SCOUT PROJECT ON THE MOORMAN'S IN JULY! THE PROJECT WILL INVOLVE DESIGN AND INSTALLATION OF AN INFO KIOSK IN THE NF MOORMAN'S/SUGAR HOLLOW RESERVOIR PARKING LOT TO HIGHLIGHT ISSUES THE WATERSHED IS FACING AND A EDUCATIONAL PROJECT AT THE FLAT POOL.
THE PEA GRAVELED AREA AT THE FLAT POOL WILL BE TRANSFORMED INTO THE NEW-
"TROUT IN THE CLASSROOM -STREAMSIDE"
EDUCATIONAL CENTER WITH 4 PEDESTAL SIGNS BEING INSTALLED EACH WITH A DIFFERENT ASPECT OF TROUT STREAM CONSERVATION AND EDUCATIONAL INFO .
ALONG WITH TROUT IN THE CLASSROOM IN LOCAL CLASSROOM'S PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS AND OTHERS THAT ARE INTERESTED IN THE CONCEPTS CAN VISIT THERE TO UTILIZE THE RIVER AND THE SPACE AS AN OUTDOOR CLASSROOM FOR THEIR STUDIES IN ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION INVOLVING COLDWATER CONSERVATION!
WE'LL POST WORK DATES AS SOON AS WE SCHEDULE THEM HERE, ON FACEBOOK , INSTAGRAM AND TO OUR EMAIL LIST.
SEE ARTIE'S PROJECT PLAN UNDER NEWSLETTERS ON THE HOME PAGE
TYLER BROWN'S EAGLE SCOUT PROJECT IN THE PLANNING STAGE!
TYLER'S PROJECT PLAN PROPOSAL IS TO MARK AND MAP THE END OF THE ANGLERS TRAIL ON THE UPPER SPECIAL REGS SECTION BELOW THE DAM TO ITS CONNECTION TO THE DAM PARKING LOT AND BEYOND!
FROM THE TRAILHEAD JUST OFF THE DAM PARKING AREA TYLER WILL BE LOCATING THE BEST ROUTE FROM THE EXISTING RESERVOIR SHORE LINE TRAILS TO MARK AND IMPROVE AS NECESSARY TO MAKE IT A CONTINUOUS MAPPED ROUTE.
HE WILL DETERMINE THE LOCATIONS AND NUMBERS OF TRAIL MARKERS AND SIGNS AND DIRECT IN THEIR INSTALLATION
AT THE LAST PARKING SPOT ALONG SUGAR HOLLOW ROAD ON THE LEFT BEFORE YOU REACH THE PARKING LOT THERE IS THE END OF THE EXISTING LAKESHORE TRAIL WHICH ABOUT 200 FEET DOWNHILL OFF THE ROAD IT TURNS AND LEAVES THE LAKE/STREAM BANKS AND HEADS UPHILL TO THE ROAD.
AT THE POINT THIS TRAIL TURNS TO THE ROAD IS WHERE THE LOWER NF MOORMAN'S STREAM BED WAS SCOURED OUT BY THE 1995 FLOOD ALTERING/REMOVING A SAFE PATHWAY TO THE SF MOORMAN'S FIRE ROAD BELOW THE PARKING LOT.
TYLER WILL BE LOCATING, MAPPING, BUILDING AND MARKING THE TRAIL CONNECTION FROM THAT DOWNHILL TURN OVER TO THE SF ROAD SO THAT WHEN ALL THIS IS COMPLETE YOU WILL BE ABLE TO HIKE FROM THE FLAT POOL UPSTREAM ALONG A CONTINUOUS PATH TO THE DAM, ALONG THE NEWLY MARKED "LAKE TRAIL" TO THE SF ROAD.
FROM THIS NEW SF ROAD TRAIL INTERSECTION YOU'LL SEE A SIGN POINTING YOU LEFT TOWARDS THE SF BLUE HOLE AND RIGHT TOWARDS THE PARKING LOT AT THE END OF SUGAR HOLLOW RD AND THE NF MOORMAN'S FIRE ROAD AND ON TO THE TOP OF PINESTAND MTN OR SKYLINE DRIVE AND THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL.
SUGAR HOLLOW AND MOORMAN'S RIVER PROBLEMS THIS SPRING
WITH THE PARTIAL CLOSURE OF THE TJTU SECTION BELOW THE DAM AND THE ENTIRE SUGAR HOLLOW AREA FROM THE GUARDRAIL POOL UP TO THE RESERVOIR AND THE SNP ACCESS CLOSED OR SOME TIME THE MOORMAN'S BELOW THE GATE SAW A HUGE INFLUX OF PEOPLE VISITING AND USING THE AREA.
AS A RESULT THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF LITTER THROWN OUT, MUCH ROADSIDE DAMAGE TO THE GRASSY AREAS AS PEOPLE PARK IN PREVIOUSLY UNUSED PLACES AND DAMAGE TO SIGNS, POSTS, TREES AND OTHER SUCH UNCALLED FOR CRAZINESS.
THIS HAS RESULTED IN THE LANDOWNERS BELOW THE TJTU SECTION POSTING THEIR PROPERTY AND RESTRICTING PARKING AT PLACES THAT WERE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!
CAN'T BLAME THEM FOR PROTECTING THEIR PROPERTY AND THEIR PRIVACY AS THE TRAFFIC PARTICULARLY FROM FRIDAY THRU SUNDAY IN THE AFTERNOONS AND EVENINGS HAS BEEN TOO HEAVY FOR THE AREA AND UNFORTUNATELY HAS CONSISTED OF TOO MANY PEOPLE WHO JUST REFUSE TO TREAT THE AREA WITH RESPECT!
FROM THE SCHOOLHOUSE PARKING AREA ALONG THE ROAD JUST DOWNSTREAM OF THE GIRL SCOUT CAMP UP THRU THE TJTU SECTION PEOPLE HAVE BEEN CROWDING IN LITTERING, DRINKING, DRIVING UNSAFELY, SPEEDING AND DAMAGING THE FLORA AND FAUNA , BUILDING FIRES, BREAKING BOTTLES AND GENERALLY BEING DISRESPECTFUL TO THE ENVIRONMENT AND THE GENEROSITY OF THE LANDOWNERS.
WE HAVE BEEN MAKING THE ROUNDS THRU THE AREA 11-2 TIMES PER WEEK PICKING UP TRASH TO HELP OUT AND ALSO AROUND THE RESERVOIR /NF PARKING LOT.
ONE BIG CONCERN WITH THE HEAVY TRAFFIC IS THERE ARE NO RESTROOM FACILITIES ANYWHERE FOR PUBLIC USE UP THERE AND THE SMELL OF URINE IS QUITE NOTICEABLE IN MANY PLACES. THIS HAS RAISED CONCERNS WITH ALL STAKEHOLDERS IN THE AREA AND THE CONTINUED ACCESS DUE TO ALL THESE ISSUES IS BEING LOOKED AT NOW.
ON THE TJTU SECTION PEOPLE FISHING WITH NO REGARD TO THE RULES FOR USE HAS BEEN OUT OF CONTROL.
FLY THE MONTH - QUILL GORDON CHUBBY STYLE
TJTU FEBRUARY 13, 2020 CHAPTER MEETING – FLY OF THE MONTH
THE QUILL GORDON- CHUBBY STYLE
MATERIALS:
HOOK: SIZE 14 DRY FLY
THREAD: OLIVE 6/0 UNI THREAD
TAIL: FINE DEER HAIR FIBERS
BODY: SPARKLE DUBBING- GRAY SAME AS IN SOWBUG
WING: FINE DEER HAIR
HACKLE: SZ 14 DARK DUN OR GRAY IF DESIRED
RECIPE: FOR RIGHT HANDED TYERS
1- With hook in vise start thread 1/16 inch behind the eye and wrap down the hook shank to the start of the bend and stop.
2- Grasp several fine deer hair fibers in your left hand so that the fine tips point to your left and place on top of the hook so that about ¼ inch of the fine tips extends to the left past the curve of the hook to give the look of tails or a trailing shuck. Use Antron Gray Dubbing for the shuck too if you like. Capture on the hook shank and secure with several wraps and then return wrap to the starting point just shy of the eye. This part also helps keep it afloat.
3- Use dubbing wax to apply a strip of gray sparkle dubbing to the top 2 inches of thread hanging and then wrap the dubbing to form the tapered body down the hook shank to the tail where you’ll secure it with a few thread wraps. Return wrap the thread back to the starting point with double wraps spaced to segment the body and stop.
4- Cut off a 3/16 inch wide section of fine deer hair for the wing and place it on top of the hook at the point the thread is stopped behind the eye with the fine tips pointing towards the hook curve so that the tips are about even with the end of the hook curve and capture in place with several thread wraps, using x’s to secure. at this point it a good idea to thrown in a couple half hitches or whip finish to even secure this step for better longevity in the stream. Trim off the excess sticking forward over the hook eye to shape a small head.
5- Prepare the hackle large end by cutting the “comb” place it parallel to the hook shank on top or side just in front of the wing and capture in place with a couple of thread wraps leaving the thread hanging in front of the hackle. Next wrap the hackle clockwise around the hook in front of the wing about 3 times and tie off with 3 half hitches or whip finish.
6- Option on stream – Trim bottom of hackle off so it will ride flush to the surface and appear more life-like.
USE SAME PATTERN WITH DIFFERENT BODY COLORS AND SIZES FOR OTHER MAYFLY’S AND CADDIS WITH AND WITHOUT HACKLES, PATTERNS THAT WILL SIMPLIFY YOUR TYING AND ADD TO YOUR SUCCESS!
JANUARY 2020 FLY OF THE MONTH: CHUBBY’S SOW BUG SIZE 14 
MATERIALS:
THREAD: OILVE UNI THREAD 6/0
HOOK: SIZE 14 STANDARD OR HEAVY WIRE SPROAT NYMPH HOOK (SCUD HOOKS TOO)
WEIGHT: .25 LEAD WIRE
BODY: GRAY SPARKLE DUBBING OR GRAY SPARKLE YARN
RECIPE:
1- WITH HOOK IN VISE START THE THREAD ABOUT 1/8 INCH BEHIND THE HOOK EYE AND WRAP TO COVER THE HOOK SHANK DOWN TO THE START OF THE HOOK CURVE AND RETURN WRAP BACK TO THE STARTING POINT WITH A FEW LARGE WRAPS.
2- TAKE A PIECE OF .25 LEAD WIRE AND LAY ONE END ON THE HOOK SHANK AT THE POINT THE THREAD IS STOPPED AND CAPTURE THE END WITH SEVERAL THREAD WRAPS.
3- ONCE THE WIRE IS SECURED TO THE HOOK SHANK WITH THE THREAD HANGING BEHIND THE WIRE TOWARDS THE HOOK CURVE WRAP THE WIRE WITH TOUCHING WRAPS TO COVER THE HOOK SHANK DOWN TO THE START OF THE HOOK CURVE.
4- BREAK OFF ANY EXCESS WIRE AND USE A FEW THREAD WRAPS TO SECURE THE WIRE IN PLACE AND THEN RETURN WRAP THE THREAD BACK TO THE STARTING POINT BEHING THE EYE AND STOP.
TJTU JANUARY FLY’S OF THE MONTH CONTINUED…………..
5- TAKE A 2 INCH PIECE OF ONE STRAND OF GRAY SPARKLE YARN AND CAPTURE IT ABOUT 1/8 INCH BEHIND THE EYE AND WITH THE THREAD HANGING BEHIND THE YARN TOWARDS THE HOOK CURVE WRAP THE YARN AROUND THE HOOK SHANK WITH SLIGHTLY OVERLAPPING WRAPS TO FORM THE BODY DOWN TO THE START OF THE CURVE OF THE HOOK.
6- USE A FEW THREAD WRAPS TO SECURE THE BODY MATERIAL TO THE HOOK SHANK, CUT OFF ANY EXCESS BODY MATERIAL AND THEN RETURN WRAP THE THREAD BACK TO THE STARTING POINT EVENLY SPACING THE WRAPS TO SEGMENT THE BODY.
7- USE SEVERAL THREAD WRAPS JUST BEHIND THE EYE TO FORM A SMALL HEAD AND USE 3 HALF HITCHES OR WHIP FINISH TO TIE OFF.
8- USING A SMALL PAIR OF NEEDLE NOSE PLIERS OR A STRONG SET OF FORCEPS TO GRASP THE FLY’S BODY WHILE STILL IN THE VISE SO THAT THE JAWS WILL FLATTEN THE WIRE UNDERBODY TO TAKE ON THE FLAT SHAPE OF A SOW BUG.
CHUBBY’S CRANE FLY LARVA SIZE 14
The Crane Fly Larva I use is basically the same pattern as the Sow Bug, just use Sparkle Yarn or Sparkle Dubbing in Cream or light Tan for the body and use the same instructions to tie it. For the legs, pick out a few fibers on the bottom side and there you go.
The Sow Bug is another easy to tie pattern that I use regularly here in Virginia in certain streams and the Crane Fly Larva is just a variation that’s as simple as a material color change. Another in the line of simple, effective patterns that I have come up with my own designs for over the years that simplifies the tying process and catches trout.
PICS IN THE GALLERY
CHUBBY’S HACKLE MIDGE
SIZE 22
MATERIALS:
HOOK- A SIZE 22 STRAIGHT EYE DRY FLY HOOK IS PREFERRED BUT ANY WILL WORK
THREAD- OLIVE/BLACK/WHITE DEPENDS ON BODY COLOR DESIRED
BODY- THREAD
WING/HACKLE- GRIZZLY SMALL- HACKLE FIBERS WHEN STOOD UP ON THE HOOK SHANK SHOULD BE 1/8- 3/16 INCH TALL
RECIPE:
1- WITH HOOK IN VISE START THE THREAD ABOUT 2 THICKNESSES BEHIND THE EYE AND USING SEVERAL WRAPS COVER THE FIRST THIRD (1/3) OF THE HOOK SHANK WITH THREAD AND STOP AT THE ORIGINAL STARTING POINT.
2- PREPARE A PIECE OF HACKLE BY CUTTING THE “COMB“ ON THE LARGER END OF THE FEATHER SHAFT AND PLACE IT PARALLEL TO AND ON TOP OF THE HOOK SHANK WITH THE “COMB” TOWARDS THE EYE.
3- CAPTURE THE HACKLE COMB AT THIS POINT WITH A COUPLE OF THREAD WRAPS, NOT TOO MANY YOU’LL BULK UP THE BODY TOO MUCH (EXCEPTION HERE IS ON A TRICO DUN THEY HAVE LARGE THORAX) AND WRAP THE HACKLE CLOCKWISE AROUND THE HOOK SHANK 3-4 TIMES LEAVING THE THREAD HANGING TO THE FRONT TOWARDS THE HOOK WHEN FINISHED. CUT OFF ANY EXCESS HACKLE
4- USE 3 HALF HITCHES OR WHIP FINISH TO TIE OFF JUST BEHIND THE HOOK EYE.
OPTIONS
ON STREAMS LIKE THE MOORMAN’S SPEC REGS THAT HAVE SECTIONS OF SLOWER CURRENTS AND OR PICKY TROUT THE PROPORTIONS ON SMALL MIDGE, MAYFLY AND STONEFLY PATTERNS NEEDS TO BE CORRECT!
TROUT HAVE MORE TIME TO FIND, INSPECT AND DECIDE TO EAT OR NOT TO EAT IN SLOW, CLEAR WATER.
REMEMBER THE CONE OF VISION SLIDE FROM AN EARLIER SLIDE SHOW?
TIED IN THIS MANNER THE HACKLE ON SUCH STREAMS AS DESCRIBED ABOVE CAN BE TRIMMED ON THE STREAM IF NEEDED FOR LOW, CLEAR WATER AND PICKY TROUT. BY TRIMMED I MEAN TRIM OFF THE BOTTOM LEAVING THE TOP OF THE HACKLE AS IS FOR A “SIGHT POST” TO HELP YOU KEEP AN EYE ON THE TINY FLY AS IT DRIFTS.
HAVING A LITTLE LARGER HACKLE IN THIS CASE IS FINE, IN FASTER WATER LEAVE THE HACKLE AS IS TO HELP KEEP THE FLY ON THE SURFACE AND EASIER TO SEE.
CHUBBY’S HACKLE MIDGE SZ 22
CHUBBY’S THREAD FLY
SZ 22
MATERIALS:
HOOK- A SIZE 22 STRAIGHT EYE DRY FLY HOOK IS PREFERRED BUT ANY WILL DO.
THREAD- UNI THREAD WHITE 6/0
BLACK PERMANT MARKER
HEAD CEMENT OR SUPER GLUE
RECIPE:
1- Start the thread about 2 thicknesses behind the hook eye and use a few thread wraps to secure in place.
2- Wrap the thread clockwise down the hook shank to the start of the hook curve with touching wraps and return it with bigger wraps to the starting point just slightly behind the hook eye.
3- Using the thread form a head and thorax with several tight wraps.
4- Tie off with three half hitches or whip finish/ cut the thread off
5- Use a black marker to color the head just behind the hook eye- NOT TOO MUCH
6- Place a small dab of super glue or head cement on the head/thorax area to make it have a shiny sheen.
The thread on the body will change color once wet that along with the glue sheen gives it a realistic look.
Lots of options, use different color threads and Larva Lace for bodies to get the colors you want.
CHUBBY’S THREAD FLY SZ 22 WHITE
THIS ONE HAS BEEN USED SEE HOW ITS COLOR HAS CHANGED – OILY, TRANSLUCENT MERCURY LIKE BODY
Keys to Successful Fishing of
Terrestrial Patterns
•Proportions- correct size at the time you are fishing
•Smaller sizes June, larger July then even larger Aug thru frost as the hoppers and crickets are mature then
•Match the size to what you see around the stream – check the streamside weeds
•Beetles sz 14 probably the best – have other sizes and different body shapes
•Ants sz16-18
•Hoppers variety of sizes from 6-14
•Crickets szs 8-12
•Learn to fish these patterns downstream on certain streams and in certain conditions – Pile cast and slack line drifts
•Walk ‘em down the bank
MORE WORDS OF FISHING WISDOM
•MORE FROM CHUBBY(TOO MUCH TIME ON HIS HANDS)
•MORE REASON’S WHY I CHOOSE TO ONLY FISH FOR TROUT (in streams)
•NO JET SKIS
•A DEEP HOLE IS 5 FEET NOT 5 MILES!
•
•ANOTHER SUN RISE AND A TROUT’S RISE IS WHAT I LIVE FOR!
•
•I HAD TO WAIT A LONG TIME TO GET TO THIS POINT IN LIFE……..
•OLD, CRIPPLED, CRAZY AND GRUMPY
•I EARNED IT, I’M GONNA USE IT!
JUNE 2019 FLY OF THE MONTH: THE BEETLE
CHUBBY’S FOAM YELLOW BACK BEETLE
MATERIALS:
HOOK- SIZE 14 DRY FLY STANDARD
THREAD- UNI THREAD 6/0 BLACK
UNDERBODY- 5 STRANDS OF GREEN PEACOCK HERL
BODY- 1 INCH STRIP OF THIN YELLOW FOAM CUT 3/16 INCH WIDE
HACKLE/LEGS- SIZE 14 GRIZZLY OLIVE
BODY SHADING- BLACK PERMANENT MARKER
RECIPE:
1) With the hook in the vise start the thread behind the hook eye and using overhand wraps, wrap the thread down the hook shank to cover it stopping at the start of the hook curve. Return wrap the thread back to 1/8 inch behind the hook eye and stop.
2) Line up the ends of 5 strands of green peacock herl and grasp with the left forefinger and thumb about ½ inch from the end and place on top of the hook about 1/8 inch behind the hook eye and secure in place with several overhand thread wraps.
3) With the thread hanging down at the starting point and just behind the tied in peacock herl wrap the herl overhand overlapping itself twice to build the underbody as you wrap down the hook shank to the start of the hook curve and stop.
4) Wrap the thread around the hearl at the hook curve going over and under to secure it in place with several thread wraps and cut off the excess. Return wrap the thread to the starting point 1/8 inch behind the hook eye.
5) Take a 3/16 inch wide by 1 ½ inch long piece of yellow thin foam and round one end to shape the head and place it on top of the hook shank so that the end of the head is even with the end of the hook eye and secure in place with several thread wraps. Figure 8 (X) wrap the head onto the hook.
6) Pick the loose end of the foam up so you can wrap the thread under and with 3 large wraps take the thread down to the start of the hook curve and stop.
7) Pull the loose end of the foam down over the top of the hook shank and secure the end at the point the hook curve starts with several wraps going over and under behind the end to secure it. With one large wrap return the thread back to behind the head of the Beetle and use 3 half hitches or whip finish to secure the steps to this point. Cut the excess foam off the tail ends of the Beetle.
8) Cut the “comb” on the large end of the Grizzly Olive Hackle and place the large, comb end on the side of the beetle body just behind the head and secure it with 3 thread wraps in the neck of the Beetle.
9) Wrap the hackle overhand 3 times around the hook shank on the neck just behind the head and then use 2-3 thread wraps to secure it in place and then cut off any excess.
10) Using the black marker color in the yellow underside of the head and fill in a stripe of black along each side of the Beetles body looking at it from the underside to make it blend in with the rest of the underside.
Beetle patterns are usually difficult to see on the surface even with a sight indicator tied on top of the fly. Being a heavy bug beetles will lay on the surface with their underbody breaking the surface tension giving a trout looking up a good view of the underside of a well recognized meal in the summer months. Remember, trout see the underside and you see the top. The top side of this pattern remains bright yellow so you can see it on the dark, oily flows in the deep shade of summer. When drifting this pattern under a low overhanging limb or patch of grass it will be much easier to keep an eye on it for that moment it disappears in the sip of a trout.
Also, never mistake those tiny little fish kisses on the surface in the shade for Dace and other minnows many times that’s a sign of a larger trout quietly snacking on the little stuff.
Level of difficulty- 2
Moorman's Special Regs Conditions 2019
Flows are still running good as rainfall has backed off for the first time in several months.
We're still getting a good dose here and there but with the hit and miss variety of rainfall in the warm months has allowed streams to get back to more normal flows.
Many streams especially the larger ones are just recently reaching flows that allow for easier fly fishing and dry fly fishing so the trout are looking up and feeding well pretty much anywhere you go to cast a fly.
The Moorman's Spec Regs has seen some of the best hatches this spring I can remember seeing and when the flows have been right and the bugs hatching good surface action has been happening.
Caddis hatches this spring have been very good on the section and it is still happening and its not unusual to see 3 sizes on the stream at the same time.
Both hatching and egg laying caddis , plentiful as always midges and the scattering of mayflies we've been seeing gets the trout feeding on top.
Other times when the sun is up high and bright and not much is going on on the surface the trout can be rather invisible.
They're laying low in the shade , deep eating the midge larvae and the various other plentiful aquatic insects found in the stream. Fish deep and in the shady spots to find the willing trout when the sun is high and the bugs are absent.
Water temps are still running good with highhs in the afternoons about 60 and the early mornings a few degrees cooler but now that the hot sun is shining down on the reservoir water temps will be going up in the coming weeks.
Fish early and late on the hot sunny days and take advantage of a cool, cloudy or drizzly day which will become rare soon.
At this time of year have Elk Hair Caddis in sizes 14/16/18 in black, green, olive, cream or tan will cover the bases.
As for mayflies you'll likely see some Sulfurs in the evenings a few Light Cahills and Gray Fox and a mix of others can be seen.
Haven't seen any Green Drakes but we saw more March Browns this year than in the last 15 years or so.
Midges are still a big food source not always on the surface as in the cooler months. Midge larva fished deep in those select times will still take trout regularly as they see the larva all year round.
San Juan Worms , Egg Patterns and various nymphs are good too. Hares Ears, caddis larva patterns and Copper Brassies are good too.
With warmer weather and lower flows the trout are getting harder to catch but much of it also is they are getting smarter. Occasionally we catch a trout that has obviously been caught before but we also catch trout with clean, unscarred mouths.
There are many smart trout in the section that have been there for some time now and the hope is the summer and flows will be kind to them and keep them through the heat and the swimmers of summer.
Thanks for everyones support on the Moorman's Special Regs! We've had a great season of fishing and permit sales have been great as well and we'll resume stocking again in early October!
STOCKED STREAMS
May 23, 2019 FLY TYING DEMO
CHUBBY'S 2 EASY EGG PATTERNS
USING POM-POM BALLS AND YARN
Bring your vise and tools to tie along, there will be materials to share.
Fish Eggs are a important part of a trout's diet 2 times during the year such as in our Brook Trout streams where trout spawn in the fall and then in spring when other species of fish will spawn.
Being a high source of protein they are well recognized and eaten by trout when they are available and in spring when Suckers are on their spawning runs trout will have a feast available to them.
CHUBBY’S EASY EGG PATTERN’S
POM- POM EGGS
HOOK- SIZE 14 CURVED SCUD HEAVY OR STANDARD WEIGHT
THREAD- UNI-THREAD 6/0 OLIVE /ANY
EGG MATERIAL- POM-POM BALLS -1/4 inch /3/8 inch
COLORS- PINK/PINK COLORED BROWN/YELLOW/ORANGE/RED
SUPER GLUE/CRAZY GLUE-
1) Push a Pom-Pom Ball of your size and choice on the hook eye so that you only go into the material about 3/16 inch deep. This way when set in place the egg will not interfere with the hook gape.
2) Start the thread wraps behind the eye of the hook and use several to form a block to keep the egg body from crowding the hook eye.
3) Push the egg up to the block of thread behind the hook eye and skip the thread wrap back behind the egg and use several wraps like behind the hook eye to block the egg from sliding back.
4) Skip the thread wrap back top in front of the egg behind the hook eye and use 3 half hitches or whip finish to tie off. Cut thread off close to shank.
5) Use a dab of Super Glue in front and back to bond the egg body to the thread and hook shank and hold it all in place.
YARN EGG PATTERNS
HOOK –SIZE 14 CURVED SCUD HEAVY OR STANDARD WEIGHT
THREAD –UNI-THREAD 6/0 WHITE
EGG BODY –SYNTHETIC EGG YARN CUT 1 INCH SECTIONS
1) Place hook in vise and start the thread wraps behind the eye and wrap down the hook shank to cover about half way to the start of the hook curve, back up and stop with thread hanging about 3/16 inch behind the eye.
2) Cut a 1 inch long piece of yarn. It usually comes as 3 or 5 strands making up the yarn rope so separate the strands so you have separate pieces of material.
3) Take a 1 inch section of the yarn, lay it across the top of the hook shank opposite the hook direction in the vise and attach it with a few thread wraps about 3/16 inch behind the hook eye. Use a couple of X wraps to secure it.
4) Take another 1 inch section of yarn and place across the top of the hook shank at an angle to the previous piece and secure it with a few wraps x’ing the wraps around it.
5) Take another 1 inch section of yarn and place it on top of the hook shank at an angle to form an X with the previous tied in pieces. Secure with a few X wraps and finish the wraps with the thread ending up behind the eye
6) Hold the yarn pieces up above the hook shank and use a few thread wraps around the base of the egg body to hold the material up and tie off with 3 half hitches or whip finish.
7) Use your bodkin to pick the yarn up wards and out to form the egg body.
8) Using sharp scissors trim the material to shape the egg so that it’s 1/4 to 3/8 in size.
Perfectly round is not necessary!
I like to tie my eggs without any weight so they’ll drift and settle as naturally as possible. Use a split shot or two about a foot ahead when needed or trail behind a tungsten bead nymph about 12 inches.
Allow it to tumble down a riffle and sink into a deep pool below and watch for light takes as the trout know it can’t get away and just suck it in as it goes by. Sometimes it’s only a slight stop in the drift to signal a hook set, so be ready.
MARCH PROGRAM:
NATIVE BROOK TROUT FISHING IN MOUNTAIN STREAMS
CHUBBY DAMRON WILL TALK ABOUT SPRING BROOK TROUT FISHING - APPROACH, POSITIONING AND PRESENTATION /FISHING HIGH WATER , HE'LL ALSO HAVE EXAMPLES OF FLY PATTERNS TO TRY AND TALK ABOUT HIS TOP 5 NATIVE BROOK TROUT STREAMS AND FINDING THE LARGEST NATIVES IN VA
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