A Tribute to A.K. Best with Dr. Bill Young

Dr. Bill Young spent the evening doing a tribute to A.K. Best who passed away this past summer! A.K. was a master fly tyer who was very detailed in his tying. A.K. published several books. Dr. Bill spent time talking about A.K.'s advice for tools and then we went over how to construct a dry fly, specifically a parachute dry fly!

The 18 fly tyers who attended this evening then tackled a quill parachute dry fly that was a signature fly of A. K. Best.

Next week, we will be working on a fly with a Christmas theme. It will be lots of fun! See you there!

Dr. Bill Explaining dry fly construction!

A.K. Best's Parachute Quill

Hook: size 12-14 standard dry fly hool

Thread: 8/0 black or grey

Tail: Hackle fibres

Body: Peacock quill stripped (we used an eraser)

Post: Calf body hair, white

Hackle: Brown

This book is still available. It is an excellent reference!

...from Fly Fisherman Magazine

A Tribute to AK Best:

https://www.flyfisherman.com/editorial/ak-best-passes-away/531272#replay

Below is a link to an excellent POD cast that AK. Best was on. It is well worth the listen!

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKfyu-hXBAE

Dr. Bill loves bonefishing

Top of Healy Pass

The gang at work tonight!

Details About Fly Tying Monday with Dr. Bill Young on December 15th

Hi Everyone!

Dr. Bill Young is our presenter this Monday December 15th. Dr. Bill has asked everyone to bring black or grey 8/0 or 6/0 thread as well as an eraser. Sounds like an interesting tying session!

I hope to see you on Monday at 6:30 pm at Reliance Oilfield Services Learning Centre!

Bob

 

Heading Down the Rabbit Hole-Filling in the Chironomid Boxes

Rusty Nail-John Kent originator

Hook: Daiichi 1760-sizes 16-12

Bead: White, either brass or tungsten size to match hook-3/32nd-7/64ths

Thread: UTC 70, wine

Body: Mirage Flashabou or Mirage Opal Tinsel, medium

Rib: Mahogany micro tubing (you definitely can use black or red micro tubing as well)

As I get started on my winter fly tying, I take the time to see what I have used and needs to be added to fly boxes. I have chosen to start with chironomids. Karen and I have used John Kent's Rusty Nail chironomid a lot this past season. That is where I am beginning!

Bob Edens at Stream Weaver Flies (right here in Red Deer) has all you need. I also order from Canadian Llama Company because I often order bulk when it comes to hooks and beads!

Karen laughed when I started in on chironomids. There are 1000s of sub species of chironomids. I try to focus on about a dozen different chironomids that I like. You could head down the chironomid rabbit hole all winter but I try to limit myself to what I have used with success. There are definitely times when a specific chironomid is needed, then I get busy and tie that specific pattern.

I love fly fishing with chironomids. The action can be explosive. Throat samples can certainly help solve the riddle of what the trout are dining on! Once you have the depth figured out and then what the fish are feeding on, you are likely going to have a decent day on the water!