Bucktail Kebari

The Bucktail Kebari

It's been a while between posts and fly tying experiments so I decided it was time to rectify both at the same time.  A few weeks ago I came across an article in the June/July issue of Fly Fisherman that utilized bucktail       in the construction of fly bodies.  I have always liked using bucktail hair in flies and look for any chance to do so.  The article instructs the tier to make a "rope" with about 6 bucktail fibers and the tying thread and then use this to wrap the body.  The great thing about this technique is that bucktail is fairly easy to work with and  comes in a great variety of colors, allowing you to mix and match fibers to create whatever color body you desire.  The fly above was my first attempt at incorporating this kind of body into a sakasa kebari.  I like the way it looks with it's segmented appearance.  It reminds me of a fly tied by Jason Klass of "Tenkaratalk".  Jason's fly utilized camel hair and is twisted to give a similar look.

A closer look at the body

In this case I used a mixture of brown and white bucktail fibers. In the future I plan to play with color combinations to see what kind of unique looks can be created.  For anyone interested the recipe is below.

Bucktail Kebari

Hook: Mustad C49S, size 10

Thread: Pearsall's gossamer silk thread, color olive

Hackle: Hungarian partridge

Collar: peacock herl

Body: bucktail fibers, 6 fibers, a mixture of brown and white

Hitting the Salt

My trusty kayak

If you spend any time reading through this blog it will be readily apparent that my preferred rod to fish with is a tenkara rod and I use it in traditional as well as non-traditional manner.  If I could choose only one type of fish and location to fish, it would definitely be for brook trout on a small mountain stream.  That being said, I still fish in all sorts of locations and with all types of equipment.  Lately, with trout fishing being a little slow I have broken out the saltwater spin rod and have been going down to the harbor to catch some fluke, bluefish and striped bass.  However, today I also broke out the kayak to add some mobility and fish several locations.  My kayak is not exactly outfitted like some anglers....but it gets the job done.  The morning started at 5am and got off to a good start with a number of fluke and sea robins (usually they are a pain but they put up a decent fight) caught on bucktails.  After a few hours....and no keepers....I began to head back to the harbor entrance.  I pulled the kayak out for a stretch and decided to cast a little when I noticed another angler nailing a number of striped bass....good size ones too!  I happen to ask him what he was using  and his reply was sandworms.  These are like candy for stripers.  After a little chit-chat he insisted that I try some, which I politely refused at first.  I'm glad I changed my mind because on my first cast I fought this guy.......

33" Striped bass

It turned out to be my first of the year and a keeper to boot.  I love brookies but there is something to be said for hauling in one of these guys. Where ever you went Brian (the generous angler with the sandworms) thanks again...you made my morning. For all of those reading this I hope your days of angling end with keepers that put a smile on your face (and maybe some filet's in your freezer).

An Early Summer Morning

Sunrise in the woods

My wife, kids and I went home (my home....upstate) to visit family this weekend.  And like any trip home I usually take a quick trip to the woods to do a little hiking or fishing (or both).  This weekend was no different. I woke up at around 5 am and headed out to find some wild brookies.  It was one of those typical early summer mornings.  It was quiet, a little humid, and with warm breeze...nothing uncomfortable though.  Insects could could be seen flitting from here to there.  A squirrel could be seen going about it's business and black-throated green warblers could be heard singing in the hemlocks.  It didn't take long to find what I was looking for, some peace and quiet......and some brook trout.

First brookie of the day

None of these brook trout or any of the others I caught this morning are going to wind up on the cover of a fly fishing magazine or mounted over a fireplace but that does not matter.  Each and every one is a remarkable work of Nature and a trophy to me.  The opportunity to be out in the woods and stream side on a beautiful summer morning like this is what matters most. I, for one, do not take these moments for granted.