Zoom, Fly Tying, Charter, Limestone

Some say we’re a little off, others say we’re obsessed, but those that fly fish know there is more to it than just catching a fish.  It is a way to wash away or suppress the challenge faced in daily life using the roar of the brook, the water rushing by your legs, and the wind in your face. Couple this with a relaxed cast, and you are there.

BTW, did you ever notice every time a fish is lost, it gains weight?

 Another call and more great conversation.  18 on the call this week, and best of all, we met our newest vet, Bruce K, a friend of Jim I, but don’t hold that against him.  Bruce will be joining us for Fly tying this week at the American Legion. 

Captain Bob will be back from his trip to Spain where he landed a number of zebra trout in the Pyrenees Mountains. The larger trout was caught by Mary, smaller by Bob.  There is an old adage, “Teach a woman to fish, and she will out fish you for all the days of your life”.

Antoine was back on the river with a couple of vets, one a vet from out of state and John L from our program.

Check out the pics below great donations received supporting our program.  Thank You Oscan and Antoine.

We are always looking for donations of any type, cash or equipment. They will be used by our vets or to raise funds to keep our program going. We are a self-funded 501[c]3.

Buzzards Bay Charters

Well, we bat .500.  The Sunday charter went off without a Hitch with Mike, Marcos, Cameron, John, and Tim spent 5 hours with Captain Casey on a trip provided by Fishing for the Mission “22”.  7 species of fish were brought to the net, and no one was skunked.  I wish I could say the second charter did as well but, the wild card is always weather.  It was the tail end of the storm and as the rain subsided, the fog rolled in.  Boaters were advised not to leave the dock on Friday morning.  We are trying to reschedule; we’ll have to see.  Additionally, Fishing for the Mission provided Vets healing on the Fly with a very

generous donation.  Thanks Harold!!

ET Mop Fly

The Mop Fly is another one of those flies filed under the “junk fly” category. Fly anglers either love them or despise them. This pattern was conceived under conscious frustration. As I have never caught anything on the traditional version, I felt maybe some low level dressing up might lure the stupidest trout. Give the ET Mop a try.

Material List:

Hook: Jig style Size 12-14

Bead: 1/8”

Weight: Non-lead wire .020

Tail: Jelly Ball Tentacle

Legs: Silicon medium size

Collar: Estaz

Mop Tentacle: Automotive wash cloth

Thread: Color to match mop material- yellow, chartreuse, grey, or black.

Body: Mop chenille segment from automotive wash cloth.  Colors various.

Tying Steps:

1.  IMPORTANT-De-barb the hook using your vice or pliers. Slide the bead on to the hook, and up to the eye, be sure the small hole is facing forward. Do not put the hook in the vise yet.

2.    Position a silicone tentacle at the point of the hook. Slide the tentacle on the hook and push it around the bend until it is above the point. Slide the tentacle back to the start of the bend and place a small drop of Super Glue, or quick drying head cement on the shank, Slide the tentacle forward in line with the hook point. Note: The tentacle may require some twisting and re-adjusting so it extends straight out.

3.    Wind the non-lead wire around the shank 4-5 times and push the wire tightly against the bead.  Attach thread behind the wire and wind the thread up and over the wire up to the bead. Wind the thread back and forth to cover the wire.

4.    Take one of the silicone legs and fold it in half forming a tight loop at one end. Pinch the legs together and place the legs on top of the wire so the loop extends out over the bead about ½”. Take one loose thread wrap and pull up tight. Check to be sure the legs do not twist. Re-set if necessary. Continue to pinch the legs on the wire and wrap forward to the bead. Wrap back over the legs to the edge of the wire.   Hold the loose ends away from the shank and wrap them to the edge of the silicone tentacle. Wrap forward around the legs to the just behind the bead.

5.    Take the second stand of silicone legs, and Repeat Section 4, except the loop must face the rear of the fly extending approximately ½” beyond the bend. Wind the thread forward over the back leg segments and forward to the bead.

6.    Strip off some of the chenille on mop segment exposing the inner core threads. Place the moppet on the hook shank with core threads on the shank in front of the bead. Leave approximately 1/16” space between the moppet and the bead. Wrap the thread catching the core threads behind the bead and cover with wraps up to the bead.  Test the wraps by pulling on the moppet tail to be sure it is secure.

7.    Take the piece of Estaz and expose the inner core threads as with the chenille. Tie in the Estaz just behind the bead on top of where the chenille was anchored. Take one to two wraps of the Estaz around the hook shank and secure with two to three wraps of tying thread.  Whip finish with 3-4 turns.  Cut the leg loops at the front and rear of the fly evenly in half. Trim all segments as evenly as possible.

Limestone Outing is coming up on 10/9/25 

Limestone is a private trout club located in North Cannan, CT.  The quarries and ponds provide challenges for the most avid angler with areas that allow novices to learn and improve their skills. Leave your waders home and those with limited mobility have easy access to great fishing. Trails around the property provide access to more challenging areas.  A note on wildlife. Canaan is a rural community, and wild animals are in the area and on the property. These may be owls, herons, eagles, deer, skunk, fox etc., including bears. The population of bears in CT has grown over time and you may encounter them at Limestone. See Living with Black Bears .