Month: January 2021

Fly Tying January 2021: Silvernator

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The Silvernator by local expert guide Brian Silvey is a relatively quick fly to tie and has great movement in the water. It’s also fun to go a little wild with the color combinations. So get your materials, get creative, and see what color combinations you can come up with!

Originator: Brian Silvey

Tier and Photo Credit: Mike Brown is the owner of Mossy’s Fly Shop in Anchorage, AK.  He’s a lifelong Alaskan with a passion for family, fly fishing, and fly tying

Material List:

  • Tube: Pro Tube Nano Tube
  • Hook Guide/Junction Tube: Pro Tube Hook Guide Medium or Large
  • Thread: Veevus 140 pictured; any strong thread works.
  • Tail: Straight Cut Rabbit Strip
  • Wings: Ostrich Feathers
  • Flash: Holographic Flash or Angle Hair
  • Collar: Schlappen
  • Beadhead: Pro Tube Pro Flexi Bead pictured.

Step 1.  Place your tube with hook guide or junction tubing on to your mandrel, this will give you an idea of how long you want to make your tail.  Start your thread at the base of your junction tube.

Step 2.  Tie in your rabbit strip.  Cut the strip a little bit longer than the end of your junction tube.

Step 3.  Using 5-10 ostrich feathers, tie in on each side of the rabbit strip, I rotated the fly in the picture to show them on each side.  You want the wings to be even with the end of the junction tube or just a little longer.

Step 4.  Tie in your flash, 2-4 strands, and place them along each side of the fly.  Trim the flash with a feather cut to the end of your rabbit tail.

Step 5.  Tie in your schlappen and the base end.

Step 6.  Wrap the schlappen 2-3 turns and tie off.  Whip finish, but don’t build to big of a head.

Step 7.  Slide your bead head on, it should cover up your head and sit firmly again the schlappen collar.

Step 8.  Cut your tube and melt back to secure the bead head.

Presidents Message January 2021

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Happy New Year! I hope everyone was able to enjoy some festivities. If you’re like me you breathed a sigh of relief as 2020 slid into the rearview mirror.

I’m looking forward to the New Year and have a couple “fishing resolutions” to share. First, I want to put in a better effort for winter steelhead this year than I did last year. Since my casting is pretty good, the waders are patched and my flies are tied all that’s left is to get out on the water and make it happen.  The  goal is to get at least 10 days on the water between now and April 15th. The second resolution is for spring and summer fishing: Beginning in June get out chase the Northwest’s warm water trifecta of carp, bass and shad. Naturally the Columbia River is the best place to do this but the Willamette is much closer so it may get the nod this year. My trusty 6 weight rod is up to this task but the fly inventory is woefully inadequate. It will be fun to tie new patterns and fill up a new fly box. It will be fun project that I’m looking forward to.

I have been asked a few times if the club is still viable. Here’s my answer: YES! Our club has a dedicated group of core members along with solid financials. With these two things we can go on for years. It’s understood with COVID not everyone is able to participate the way they used to. No worries, whenever the world gets back to normal we will be here when you are ready.

As we all know we are not able to have meetings and who knows how long this will last, it will be at least a few months but probably longer. Because of this club is planning to focus on fish a longs for the first half of 2021. We have some good stuff lined up. For January and February we will be going to the lower Sandy River as it has excellent bank fishing opportunities for steelhead fly fishing. In March we have a special opportunity to fish a new private Lake out by Dundee called Wilder Lake. I was able to test fish this lake can assure that you will like it! Then in March and maybe April too we will head over to the Crooked River. You’ve probably noticed we’re doubling up on some locations. We are trying this because learning the water is the best way to be more successful, and it’s very difficult to learn one place when are always jumping around to new spots.

For several years now we have been posting monthly fishing reports. Looking back on them is a good way to get ideas for local fly fishing opportunities currently happening or coming up. I’ve tested it out; type the word January or February in the search box and you’ll get all the past reports for that month.

January is a great month to get good deals after Christmas so get out to your local fly shop buy all the stuff that Santa forgot. Please remember our sponsors this, they are the lifeblood of the club. Stop by their shops and let them know your appreciate their support. Better yet buy something or book a trip.

Dave Kilhefner