Okay yall... I'm going to take up some mad fly tying while I'm over here, and I need your help. I haven't flyfished in two years, due to being away for the Army, and I was a beginner even when I was still flyfishing. I plan on coming home and enjoying at least 30 days of pure fishing, relaxation, and starbucks (it's amazing what you miss over here haha).

So here's where I need your help everyone:
I need you guys to hook me up with some good patterns that you like using around wet side of WA for rainbows, cutthroat, and summer run steelies. I have a buddy here who is going to help me accumlate the necessary gear and tools to tie them, and since he's an experienced tier, he's going to teach me a thing or two as well. All I need to know really is what I need to start tying.

Let me know guys, an I appreciate all your help in advance!

Curtis

As far as summer steelhead, cutties and rainbows go there is a very wide variety of flies that can be tied. Rivers, lakes, salt...ect also play a big roll in their food source, which is most important when it comes fly fishing. Wooly buggers is a very basic fly that can work for most all types of trout. Colors such as black, brown, olive and even white have produced fish for me.

Trout in rivers (stream resident rainbows and cutties) tie wooly buggers, elk hair caddises, san juan worms(very productive/easiest fly tie tie in the book), midges and spiders. All flies can be found how to tie with a quick google search.

Summer steelhead are fun to target but require much skill for a flyfisherman, to present the pefect swing or perfect drag free drift with a strike indicator. For flies and egg pattern (glo bugs, yarnies...ect), ESLs (egg sucking leeches in purple, black, red, blue are all productive). Summer steelhead flies are usually tied on #4 and #6 steelhead hooks or if your tying egg patterns Id recommend #4 gami octopus hooks. Once again can be found with basic materials and tying instruction with google. Make sure your flies are tied with a good amount of movement, Ive heard that is a main attraction.

I hope that my info has given you a slight idea of how to prep for what sounds to be like a great 30 days insearch of what western washington has to offer to a fly fisherman. Any help I can give to a US troop that is serving our country is a small way of me saying a big thanks you, have a safe trip and make it back safe.


Jake

Hey I appreciate it! Like I said, I'm definitely at beginner level for this, so I'll be relying pretty heavily on the guys here to teach me, but they're just as excited to teach me as I am to learn.

I appreciate the kind words! I'm looking to be home by next April unless we get extended or something, so I should have a good full summer of fishing to work out the back pain I've picked up along the way here.

Well, off to google/online shopping from here! Thanks again, I'm really excited to start doing this!

Curtis

BBVD- let me know when you get back and we'll get out and chase some cutthroats and salmon in the salt. Jake gave you a good list. I would reccomend starting simple and remember that it doesnt take much to fool a fish.

D3, expect me to take you up on that!

Hey guys, I again appreciate your help. I'll post some pics when I start getting my fly production line going

Curtis

Curtis, you still have the fur blender??