Uunderstanding Reel Drag

Fly Reel Drags: Which Reel is Right For You?

Selecting the right fly reel drag system is essential for maximizing your time on the water. Whether targeting trout on a quiet stream or battling powerful saltwater species, the drag system you choose can significantly impact your success and enjoyment. In this blog, we’ll compare the three main types of fly reel drag systems: disc drag, cork drag, and click-and-pawl. Continue reading…

Top 12 Trout Flys

Here is a “You Tube” video that I found very interesting and thought it might be of interest to some our NBFF club members, especially anyone who is relatively new to fly fishing. The author discusses why he thinks that they are worth having and what they represent. We have tied a number of these flies in our club fly-tying sessions and hopefully they have been useful in catching some fish on the Guadalupe and other streams. You can click on the image below to find the video.

Good Luck and Tight Lines,

Gary

Top 12 Trout Flys

GRTU Youth Camp Gift Bags

New Braunfels Fly Fishers – GRTU Youth Trout Camp Gift Bags

The New Braunfels Fly Fishers provided gift bags to the participants of GRTU’s Youth Trout Camp this year as the club has done for a number of past years. The bags consist of flies, fly box, leader, tippet, nippers, forceps and zingers.

Pat McQuinn and Ron DeMeyer delivered the bags Friday, January 17 prior to the kick-off of the camp.

Satkowski’s Flank Steak fly

John Satkowski, Toledo, OH, fly tying demonstrator and instructor, https://www.instagram.com/johnsatkowski/

Link to this blog

Hook selection and shank placement are the secret weapons behind every great articulated streamer.

Satkowski’s Flank Steak fly brings them together in a design that’s as beautiful as it is effective. Whether you’re chasing trophy trout or building your tying skills, our blog breaks it all down in easy-to-follow steps.

Hook selection and shank placement are the secret weapons behind every great articulated streamer.

Materials List for this Articulated Streamer:

Gamakatsu B10S

Thread: Uni thread 6/0

Back Hook- Gamakatsu B10S, size to match prey imitation

Tail: Marabou

Body: Cascade Crest Mirror Wrap or Hackle Flash

Flash: Mirage Flashabou

Articulation: Your favorite bead wire and 2 3D beads

Front Hook Gamakatsu B10S one size larger than back hook

Tail: Marabou

Body: Cascade Crest Mirror Wrap or Hackle Flash

Rubber Legs: Multi-color Silicon Legs

Head: Senyo’s Laser Dub darker color

Throat: Senyo’s Laser Dub lighter color

Topping: Mallard Flank Feather

Flash: Mirage Flashabou

Accents: Ripple Ice fibers

Eyes: Any 3d eyes to match the fly

Weight: several wraps of 0.025 lead wire

Adhesive: Gulff UV Resin

Tying Steps:

Attach thread and tie one marabou plume as long as the hook shank, be sure to remove the tip of the marabou feather to create a properly shaped tail.
Tie in 3-4 strands of Mirage Flashabou on each side of the marabou and trim them just slightly longer than the tail.
Tie in a strand of mirror wrap and palmer tightly up the shank to near the eye of the hook, sweeping the fibers back after each wrap.
Tie down and clip the excess mirror wrap and create a neat head and whip finish.
Apply a light coat of UV resin on the thread and cure it with a UV light.
Put the front hook in the vise and attach a thread base.
Wrap five to six wraps (or more for faster water) of lead wire on the hook and cover with thread to secure.
Tie down the articulation wire and slide on two beads, put the wire through the back hook eye and slide it through the beads again and tie down leaving a little space for the back hook to swing freely.
Prepare another marabou plume by removing the fluff at the base and the tip and tie in making the end of the tail line up to the first third of the back hook.
Grab another 3-4 strands of mirage flashabou and tie in on each side of the marabou clipping them slightly longer than the marabou tail.
Tie in a length of mirror wrap and palmer tightly while sweeping the fibers back after each turn up the hook leaving enough space to tie in the head.
Grab a small pinch of ripple ice fibers and tie in so they act as a lateral line on each side of the fly.
Tie in three rubber legs on each side of the fly and clip them even with the marabou tail.
Take a small clump of the darker laser dub and tie in the middle of the clump on the top of the hook. Do the same with the lighter color on the bottom of the hook.
Pull both the clumps of laser dub over themselves and tie in a neat little bullet head, we want a wider profile so the tighter the better and then brush thoroughly to remove the loose fibers.
Pick a mallard flank feather and tie it over the top of the fly making sure it is even and straight on the back, clip the excess stem and create a neat, little head of thread and whip finish.
Glue eyes on both sides directly over the bullet head and once dry coat the eyes and thread with a thin layer of uv resin and cure.

Fishing and Color Scheme Notes

I usually fish this with a floating line when the water is lower in the late summer months, they are especially effective when you want to imitate a wide-bodied prey item such as shad or sunfish. I cast out and erratically retrieve the fly in short three or four inch strips and then let the fly pause for a bit. The tail will really sway and wag in the current, and the flash and legs really gets the fish to target the fly aggressively. In the late summer shad will move into my local river and the bite is on. I have included my favorite colors for the Flank Steak, tie some and go whack some fish.

Suggested Colors:

Orange and brown (crayfish)
White and gray (shad)
Olive and orange (sunfish)
Tan/Gold and white (baitfish)
Blurple (clear water applications)
Link to this Blog

San Antonio Meet & Greet – New Angler Ed Training Specialist

When: 12/18/2024 6:00 PM, CST
Where: Food Hall, 312 Pearl Pkwy, San Antonio, TX 78215

San Antonio Meet & Greet
the New Angler Ed Training Specialist
December 18, 2024

FOOD HALL at BOTTLING DEPT in San Antonio
312 Pearl Pkwy, San Antonio, TX 78215
Get Directions Here

Connect with fellow angler education volunteers at our informal meet-and-greet at the Food Hall at Bottling Department in San Antonio!

Meet the new Angler Ed Central Texas Training Specialist!

Natalia Gonzalez
Communications | Angler Education Training Specialist
Texas Parks and Wildlife
4200 Smith School Road
Austin, Texas 78744

512-389-4472 | natalia.gonzalez@tpwd.texas.gov

This gathering is a chance to meet the new Central Texas Angler Ed training specialist and fellow angler education volunteers in a relaxed and welcoming environment. Located in The Historic Pearl, the venue offers a variety of food options with indoor seating and an expansive outdoor lawn, providing plenty of space to mingle and enjoy the community. Whether you’re a long-time volunteer or new to the program, we can’t wait to meet you and celebrate our shared passion for angling and education.

Please let us know you are coming. RSVP Here…

Best regards,
Texas Hill Country Fly Fishers