Sceptre Glass Rod

I finished Sceptre staggered ferrule 7'10" #5/6 glass rod. The wraps are claret with tan single turn accents-depending on the light source, they turn different shades of burgundy. Unfortunately it's too cold to fish today, but I feel it will complement my Lamiglas 8' #5 perfectly. It won't be long and I will be able to test it on some spring creeks and make better comparison.

Reel Extreme

Different fly reels for different applications-extreme sizes (2.5" vs. 4.5" O.D.)

Sceptre Handle & Soft-Hackled Suspender

I have just finished the handle on my Sceptre blank. It is a Ritz style cork grip combined with Struble D3 seat with imbuya insert. I am hoping to have the rod finished by the weekend.

I must admit I haven't been in the 'tying mode' lately... Last week I tied some variations on soft-hackled olive emergers. The folded strip of packing foam will allow the fly to swim half-submerged, suspended in the surface film. Can't wait for spring hatches to give it a go...

Old Fly Reels

"The more things change, the more they remain the same," says an old French proverb. What kind of a reel a fly fisher needs for an average spring creek trout? In spite of all "modern developments" in fly reel design-LA concept is certainly not new, very little has changed in reels' functionality.

For spring creek fishing I like the simplicity of a click and pawl reel and the subtle counterpoint of a glass rod. Older reels have a special charisma, and they balance glass and cane rods perfectly.

Poodle

Poodle-a nice parachute atractor fly/terrestrial imitation.

Sceptre Glass Blank

I have just received my Hardy made Sceptre glass blank. It is a 8'6" model rated for lines #5-8. The blank is a classic Hardy with white spigot and brown patterned glass. I will probably end up shortening it somewhat, since it is little too long and powerful for my needs.

Nature's Art And The Lonely Mayfly

January was as eventful as I could ever imagine. My sister Sonja came to visit and we spent an incredible time in the Twin Cities, Chicago and Iowa with friends and family. The picture on the left titled The Global Warming (with Sonja, our friend Cheri and myself) is just one of many photos taken during past several weeks.

January has been incredibly cold. This is my third winter in MN, and it is definitely the coldest one so far. My thoughts would often wander from my piano or computer desk, to the glass of Laphroaig or Glen Garioch, to the frosty windows of our apartment. Surrounded by the art of nature- the icy window arabesques, which remind me of lavish 'rose and scroll' engravings found on fine English shotguns, I dream of mayflies. The large Ephemera drakes on the tranquil limestone stream will tempt the largest and wariest of trout.

The fly on the picture is based on the pattern known as Duncan's Mayfly, but it has some modifications.

Hook: dry fly;
Tail: 3-5 moose body hairs, the butts form the wing veins;
Body and wing: caribou hair-tips are tied by the tail and butts form the wing;
Rib: pale yellow waxed thread and fine gold wire (counter-ribbed);
Hackle: grizzly, wound through the hair butts.

Trim the wing to form the desired shape.