rivers

Fly of the Month – CDC Shuck Biot Body Sparkle Dun

Late fall/early winter is a great time to start tying up some patterns to restock the fly boxes depleted by another year on the water, lets not abandon the fishing quite yet.  I have had several great days on the river this past month.  It does get a bit hit and miss as the weather and the water temps cool but when you hit it right the fishing can be outstanding.  I have still been running into some great baetis hatches around here and so with that in mind I thought I would share my favorite pattern when fish are sipping the Blue Winged Olive Duns off the rivers surface.  This pattern is basically a Sparkle Dun with a biot body, and I use a CDC feather for the trailing shuck instead of Z-lon. I like the Sparkle dun because it is so versatile.  I think fish feeding on emergers, duns, and spinners could all find a reason to take a well placed Sparkle Dun.  This version is quite simple to tie, it floats well, and is fairly easy to see even in the small sizes that will often be required.

Lets get started with the materials:
• Hook: #18 or smaller Tiemco 100 or equivalent dry fly hook
• Thread: Olive 8/0
• Wing: Olive Deer Hair
• Tail/Shuck: One Natural Brown CDC feather
• Body: Gray Olive Turkey Biot
• Thorax: Medium Olive Fine Dry Fly Dubbing

1) In the winter months the bugs that do hatch tend to be small.  For our rivers in Southeast Idaho I usually tie this pattern in sizes from #18-#24.  You can definitely go larger or smaller if needed.

2) Tie in a clump of deer hair about 2/3 down the shank of the hook.  I make about 3 good turns while holding the back of the hair so it stays on top of the hook while the tips flare out.  Then clip the backs as close as you can at a 45 degree angle.

3) Next I pull up about 1/3 of the hair and make a wrap in front of it, then proceed to pull up another third, again making a wrap in front of that, then finally pull the remaining hairs straight up and wrap in front so that all the hair is standing up on the fly.  Then be sure to build up a good thread dam in front of the wing as if you don’t, when the fly gets wet the wing will lean forward on you.  Then wrap the thread back to behind the wing and tie down the loose ends on that side.

4) Now tie in the CDC feather on top of the hook shank.  I don’t worry about how long the tail sticks out as I cut it later.

5) Continue securing the CDC feather wraping back to where the shank meets the bend.

6) Now I trim the tail to about 3/4 hook shank length.

7) Next tie in a Goose or Turkey Biot Quill with the notch facing left.  Advance the thread to just behind the wing.

Wrap the biot using nice even wraps toward where you stopped the thread, then tie it off and clip the excess.

9) Next I simply dub a nice football shaped thorax using 2-3 wraps behind the wing and 3-4 in the front of it.

10) Finally make a nice even thread head and tie off the fly.  Dab some head cement on there and you are ready to fish.

Play with the color scheme to match other mayfly hatches in your area as well.  I like this pattern tied in appropriate colors for the summertime PMD hatches too.  Most of all have fun and catch some fish!

This article by: BaseCampLegends.com

See the original article at TeamHuntress.com

rivers

No horsing around, Epona Rivers offers equine facilitated learning workshops

Guest Talk: No horsing around, Epona Rivers offers equine facilitated learning workshops

It’s difficult to say “equine facilitated learning” three times fast, but after Holly Pollock, proprietor of Epona Rivers, explains the reasons for equine facilitated learning, it’s not too hard to understand why a workshop at the Kingswood Stables in Malabar, Fla., would be a great way to learn coping skills and to recharge life’s batteries. Here, Holly answers questions about her newly launched business that involves humans, horses and a bit of yoga thrown in for good measure.

The WON: What is equine facilitated learning all about? I mean, why would you want to practice coping skills with a 1,000-pound animal?

Holly Pollock: To start off, horses are hyper-aware of their environment and the energy around them, and they are very sensitive. This enables them to be reflective for you, a “mirror” to develop self-awareness. The brain only processes about 20 percent of what it takes in. We lose some very valuable information there, about yourself and your surroundings, and how you really are with other people. A horse can show you in a second if you are being “heard”, (whether that be in a company, serving on a board, with hunting friends, or in any relationship) or if you allow people to walk all over you.  When you develop the ability and feel for to stopping a 1000-pound animal from getting in your space, it makes it easier to bring to your relationships with people. Also, if you can “see” things as you really are, you can then be more congruent. And when you’re congruent, meaning your feelings are in harmony and you are not wearing a “mask” for others, you have much more energy and more authentic happiness. People always want to be, and feel positive, but without the tools needed it can be very difficult when life gets messy.

The WON: What is the appeal of this type of workshop to women who love the outdoors?

Holly Pollock: It seems to me that women who are attracted to being outdoors are “hands on” type of women. They like to take in life by putting their hands, eyes, ears and heart into things.  That is what Epona Rivers is all about. You get an opportunity to connect not only to yourself, but also to nature, and to be outside with horses.

The WON:  You correlate yoga moves and shooting skills. How do they relate? What can we learn from yoga to take to shooting and vice versa?

Holly Pollock: In yoga we practice standing still, using your breath, and quieting your mind. All of this applies to shooting, whether you shoot a bow, pistol, rifle or shotgun. Going within your “heartspace” with a still body, and a quiet mind, you will make your best shot. In the EFL work, we distinguish some of the negative patterns we play on our head that can sabotage our calm and “feeling good” state.  We work on suspending judgment of yourself, and others for that matter, so you can let tension go and reach for calm and equanimity, feeling out what works best for you in whatever situation your hunting trip takes you.

The WON: What have you learned from equine facilitated learning workshops?

Holly Pollock: This is hard for me to sum up in just a few words!  It has had such a profound effect in my life and in those around me, but very simply put, life stopped being so hard. Your emotions are there to serve a purpose to help and guide you, not to overwhelm or stuff, so now I can more fluidly “process” what goes on in, and around me, and with others.  I learned to stop being my own worst enemy – for real this time!  When I first started with this work I talked the talk, but did not walk the walk, now I can say truly there is joy with myself and all the relationships in my life are better tenfold!

I believe we are here to have a happy fulfilling life, pursuing hobbies and things that make us buzz with delight. It is so refreshing to not buy into the ebb and flow of the drama in life, to practice staying in a feel good state even when the world is throwing me fast pitch after fast pitch and all I have is a fly swatter!  I have learned that this is a skill and discipline we all need in life, and the people who attend my workshops want to learn the skills to do this effectively.

The WON: What are your plans for future workshops?

Holly Pollock: Starting a business in this economy has been interesting!  I believe this work helps everyone, and it’s a big world out there to spread the news!  So I am concentrating on doing my “core” Epona Rivers methods which focuses mainly on teaches participants to recognize negative thought patterns, use breathing techniques to tap into their calm and learn the messages behind their authentic emotions.  Educating people that this is another vehicle out there to help you grow, and learn about yourself. I want to develop more yoga into the workshops, to show people it’s all about the practice of staying calm and letting go of tension. There is no goal in the yoga I teach, it’s all about the inner work of relaxation and tension release, it’s about the practice of staying clam while you’re in the challenges of a pose. I’m also working on bringing some archery into the program with Kimberly Pezzeminti from DoeVille, as well as a farewell fireside dinner. I can go on and on with the things I would like to do, and I hope people out there will share with me what it is they want!

The next Heart of Epona Workshop will take place on Nov. 13-15, 2009. This Epona workshop is at Kingswood Stables in Malabar, including horse work, snacks, beverages, lunch and instructional materials. All horse work is done from the ground, please wear whole shoes when out with the horses.  We will be working in the air-conditioned workshop room, where slippers or sandals are fine to wear.  Please bring items to protect yourself when we do horse work outside, such as sunscreen, hats, sunglasses.  The cost of this workshop is $495. Once your payment has been received through PAYPAL we will contact you within 1 business day. See http://www.eponarivers.com/retreatsandworkshops.htm.

© 2009, womensoutdoornews.com. All rights reserved. Please provide a link to The Women’s Outdoor News if you republish this post.

See the original article at TeamHuntress.com

rivers

RISE Flyfishing Film in Boise

RISE Flyfishing Film-Nov. 17th in Boise.

This is for all those who love fly fishing & rafting Idaho’s rivers, traveling, or have a passion for the outdoors. Portions of the proceeds will go to Trout Unlimited and Idaho Rivers United. The better the turnout the more support can be given to preserve our Idaho Rivers and Fish!!!!   Read more …