Vets Healing on the Fly Planning Update and upcoming events

The only Reported Catch This Week

  Jeff on the Upper Madison 

There was no call and no tying session this past week.  In its place, we held two focus groups on Thursday to discuss what we could do better as we move forward.  Six Vets and Vols made up each group and a ton of great ideas were exchanged.  The following are just some of the ideas that were discussed…

·       Outings ~ schedule more on flowing water with time on the water extending into the fall.  Develop a “Fishing Board” where vets and vols could post when they are going and where to meet.  Find some new water to explore.  Schedule some outings on Saturdays so those that work could also attend. 

·       Fly Tying ~ We need to have a variety of kits available to match the skill levels and interest of the vets that attend e.g., beginner, and intermediate skill sets and saltwater interests.  Start each tying session with a demo of new or different tying techniques before we get into the actual tying.  Utilize a camera and flat screen to either have leader tie the fly or demonstrate these new techniques.

·       Fly Fishing Skills ~ Spend more time on teaching and practicing casting, especially before an outing.  Have a couple of rods and the rod training tool available at tying sessions.  Spend more time teaching and learning knots, especially before an outing.  Run some casting for accuracy drills.  A second casting clinic should be added off season.

·       Other ~ Possibly running an exchange program with other independent vet groups. Vet apparel is a priority and tees have been ordered.

What’s coming up Next? 

Fly Tying at the American Legion Hall, Thursday, 8/7/25 10:00 AM

               American Legion Hall

               294 Willard Avenue

               Newington, CT 06111

               10:00 AM until Noon

Hornberg Streamer Style

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCq71udWfKg 

The original Hornberg fly pattern was designed by Frank Hornberg in Wisconsin sometime in the 1920’s. The versatile fly can be tied, and fished as a dry, wet or streamer.  The streamer style is used to imitate a baitfish and is a good pattern in rivers and still waters. Note: The above link is for the dry fly pattern, the recipe below are my instructions for the streamer.

Materials

Hook: Streamer Size 8

Thread: Black or Brown

Body: Silver Mylar medium

Underwing: Yellow Saddle Hackles

Overwing: Mallard Flank Feather

Hackle: Grizzly and Brown

Tying Instructions:

1.     Crush the barb and secure the hook in your vice. Start the thread approximately two eye-lengths back from the eye. This spacing is important for later when winding the hackle. Snip off the tag end. Take even wraps with your thread rearward on the on the shank to the start of the bend, then reverse with even tight wraps back to the start. Wrap as smoothly as possible.

2.     Cut an angle on one end of the mylar. Orient the Mylar so the silver side faces out.  Place the angled tip against the side of the shank and secure the Mylar with a couple of tight wraps. Place a light coat of head cement on the thread wraps back to the end of the thread wraps.

3.     Wrap the Mylar rearward with touching wraps. At the bend reverse direction, wrapping back to the tie-in point. Be sure to keep tight pressure on the wraps to ensure the Mylar lays smooth and the wraps do not unravel.

4.     Take the yellow saddle hackle and strip off a dozen or so fibers. Do your best to keep the fibers aligned. Tie in the fibers to the top of the shank to create an underwing about a hook shank in length. The fibers should extend slightly past the hook bend.

5.     Take one of the Mallard flank feathers and strip off the fuzzy material leaving the bare stem. Measure against the side of the shank so that the tips of the feathers extend slightly beyond the yellow fibers at the rear of the fly. Keeping the measurement, take two light wraps of thread around the shank and fibers to hold the feather in place. Be sure the natural curl of the feather bows outward. Repeat on the opposite side. Adjust the feathers so they are equally the same length. Secure the feathers by lifting the butts up and take a full wrap of thread around the hook shank, and then a couple of wraps around the fibers. This helps to keep them from rotating around the hook. Add a drop of head cement to the wraps and snip off the stems.

6.     Move your thread slightly forward toward the eye. Take the jungle cock and using your fingers strip off a small section of fibers at the base of the feather leaving a small stem. Take one of the feathers and rub dubbing wax along the dull side. Lay the feather along the shank with the tip extending half-way down the shank. Take one or two wraps and repeat with the other feather on the opposite side of the shank. Use the stems to slide the feather to align properly. Take a few tight wraps to secure. Snip off the stems.

7.     Next take the grizzly and brown hackles. Pull off the fuzzy material at the base of the feathers off and snip off the lower end of the stem at the point where the stem begins to narrow leaving a small section to tie to the shank.  Tie in the stem of one hackle on a 90* angle just forward of the Mallard feathers. Repeat with the second hackle. Note: It does not matter which color hackle is first. Also, you will only need to wrap the hackle 2 at the most 3 turns around the shank.  Move your thread just in from of the forward hackle and using your hackle pliers begin winding the hackle forward to just in front of the eye. The hackle will move the thread forward helping to secure the hackle.  Take a wrap to secure the hackle behind the eye. Secure the second hackle in your pliers and begin wrapping forward. End in front of the first hackle. Take a couple of wraps to secure. Whip finish and apply some head cement.          

Docs Pond Saturday 8/23/25

This is just a gentle reminder, Saturday, 8/23/25, we will be holding an outing to Doc Shildgen’s Bass Pond in Litchfield, CT for our Vets Healing on the Fly participating in our program.  Any vet interested in bringing a family member to this year’s event, please let me know so we can plan accordingly.  If you are interested, please let me know so I can get you on the list.  Float tubes and kayaks work well at this event.  We look forward to seeing you there.

Doc's Pond 2024