In 1947, Catskills fly tyer Art Flick published his book “Art Flick’s Streamside Guide to Natural and Their Imitations,” which introduced a number of his own personal recipes for tying flies to imitate the foods trout eat. Many of these patterns have become the gold standard in fly fishing, including the venerable bucktail streamer, the […]
Blacknose Dace: The Minnow and the Streamer Read More »
My first cast with a Mickey Finn almost caught a 20-pound Atlantic salmon. I use the term “almost” very loosely here. What really happened was that the fish turned toward the fly, inspected it, and quickly deemed it unworthy. According to my friend, an Atlantic salmon fanatic, no matter what else happened from there on
The Mickey Finn: An Effective Streamer with a Unique History Read More »
The following interview with Evan Brant of Sideling Hill Hackle first appeared in the February/March 2025 issue of Dark Skies Fly Fishing Magazine. DSFF: How did you get into raising chickens and roosters for fly tying? Evan Brant: My family has owned a farm since 1866. I started tying flies when I was 12, and
Choosing and Using the Right Hackle for Fly Tying Read More »
Looking for a full frame fly reel that won’t break the bank? Give the Series-1 from Taylor Fly Fishing a serious look. The clean and sleek design of this reel is truly magnificent, and it functions as well, if not better, than reels that are twice as expensive. Taylor Fly Fishing is a true “homegrown”
Taylor Fly Fishing: Series-1 Full Frame Reel Read More »
Dark Skies Fly Fishing is teaming up with Mountain Laurel Guide Service and Captain Kurt’s Charters to host another fully guided group trip for steelhead November 12-15, 2025. This is prime time for fishing in the Erie tributaries! (For a recap of the March 2025 and November 2024 trip, and to see pics of the
Fall Steelhead Trip 2025 – Don’t Miss It! Read More »
One of the most common questions I hear is “what flies do I need for fly fishing?” Answers vary greatly depending on the species you intend to target, the waters you plan to fish, and the insects and baitfish available in those waters. The first two aspects – species and location – can help you
Top 12 Guide Flies and Confidence Flies for Subsurface Trout Read More »
The Little Black Stonefly is one of the first insects to hatch every late winter/early spring. Sometimes it occurs when there’s still snow on the ground, earning the nickname “the snowflake hatch,” and can provide some of the first surface fishing opportunities here in the Eastern United States. But don’t get too excited yet. There
Fishing and Tying the Little Black Stonefly Read More »
Perdigons are Spanish nymphs, and their name loosely translate to mean “pellet,” like the pellets found in shotgun shells. Indeed, these slim, dense flies drop as quickly as lead balls through the water column, which contributes to their effectiveness on all water types, but especially high and fast water. Although they were originally developed by
Fishing and Tying Perdigons Read More »
I started tying flies about 30 years ago, but I still remember the first handful of patterns I learned to tie and fish. Maybe that’s more proof that I’m getting old – things that happened decades again are crystal clear in my memory, but I can’t quite recall what I had for breakfast this morning!
Fishing and Tying the Picket Pin: A Classic Fly for Trout and Panfish Read More »
Winter fly fishing has changed since I was a teenager. Thirty years ago, when you fished during the winter months, you could expect to have streams all to yourself. Long sessions on the water might end without ever seeing another soul. These winter experiences were special and provided long hours of solitude and reflection, and
Winter Fly Fishing Tactics for Trout Read More »
