Chicago Trout Bum -- Fly Selections

Year of the Lefty

2012-01-13T06:36:00.001-08:00

My favorite fishery the Driftless is well known for meandering, narrow streams often shrouded in canopy and high grasses. Fish abound, but so do obstacles. The cast you need to make is seldom the most straight forward one.

For years, I've thought about casting lefty. Having fished the same streams for nearly a decade now, I often know what casts I can make just as I step up to the pool. But left handed casting opens up a whole new world. I first noticed this in earnest when my good friend Joe McGinley, who writes for us here at CTB came to fish the Driftless with me. Joe is a born lefty and approached waters I had fished for years with creativity and skill. But he was after all a natural lefty. Every year since that time, I've thought about forcing myself out of my comfort zone.

What water could you open up if you cast with your other hand?

Rubber Leg Steelhead Streamer Pattern

2009-11-17T08:12:00.000-08:00

Jeremy caught this fish on a streamer he picked up from me. I use a combination of materials on these flies to ensure that they look lifelike whether swung or dead-drofted and in slow or heavy currents.

Skamania Steelhead Fly Patterns

2009-11-11T18:21:00.000-08:00

Spring Creek Blue Wing Olive Parachute Fly Pattern

2009-11-11T18:20:00.000-08:00

Spring Creek Glass Bead Midge Fly Pattern

2009-11-11T18:19:00.001-08:00

Spring Creek Wired Caddis Emerger

2009-11-11T18:18:00.001-08:00

Spring Creek Caddis Emerger Fly Pattern

2009-11-11T18:17:00.001-08:00

Spring Creek Beetle Fly Pattern

2009-11-11T18:16:00.001-08:00

Wedding Fly Pattern - Example of My Custom Work

2009-11-11T18:15:00.001-08:00

Spring Creek Super Pupa Caddis Fly Pattern

2009-11-11T18:14:00.001-08:00

L-Train Caddis Pupa Fly Pattern

2009-11-11T18:13:00.000-08:00

Wire San Juan Worm Fly Pattern

2009-11-11T18:11:00.003-08:00

Spring Creek Hexagenia Fly Pattern

2009-11-11T18:11:00.001-08:00

Barr's Slumpbuster Fly Pattern

2009-11-11T18:10:00.003-08:00

Spring Creek Leech Fly Pattern

2009-11-11T18:10:00.001-08:00