Beginner’s Fly Tying Class: May 20, 2019

By Don Fine

This month’s Beginner’s Fly Tying session will be held on the evening of Monday, May 20th at 7:00 PM. As summer approaches many of us tend to be thinking about fly fishing for ‘warm water’ species; Crappie, Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, Bluegills and Sunfish. Perhaps it’s time to take off the insulated waders and wet wade, canoe, or kayak local rivers or just fish a pond edge.

The May Beginners Fly Tying session will feature two versions of what I commonly refer to as a ‘Crystal Bugger’. One of the two patterns is weighted with ‘dumbbell eyes’ allowing it to be fished as a jig. Some years back I fished this jig pattern for Crappie and Smallmouth on a private lake near Chesapeake Beach, MD. What a day my partner and I had, catching one Crappie after another. While I am not sure who the first fly tier was to create this pattern, I will personally give credit to our PVFF member, friend and acclaimed fly tier Tommy Marks who first acquainted me with the fly.

As has been customary in past months the PVFF will provide all tying materials to tie this fly and if you do not have your own fly tying equipment, a set will be provided for use that evening.

We will again meet in Room 207 at Trinity United Methodist Church, 703 West Patrick Street, Frederick.