This was given to me by my father and my first fly tying/reference book. This was before fly tying had tell off on social media. It was when you either had to find a blog or message boards. Maybe even find some like minded folks in groups such as on Geocities.
Warmwater fly fishing groups could be found but were rare. You could find a few generic fly groups out there too but what I specifically wanted was definitely niche at the time.
To find warmwater fly fishing and fly tying books, you had to find them at a fly shops, outdoor stores, magazine advertisements, or publisher adverts in the back of books.
There were even a few VHS tapes and DVD’s but they were specially for bass bugs or largemouth bass. Which is good but folks were catching all sorts of warmwater variety of spices. Myself included.
These photos are from Flies for Bass & Panfish. Out of respect of the authors, I’m not sharing too much else other than photos or maybe a “mention”.
I do prefer warmwater species. They are not numerous where I live them coo poop of water fish. And what cold water species you can find here, the more crowded the location. The patterns I’m sharing from this book are those which I’ve used in the past with success.
This is the Cajun Coachman. It’s a good pattern for panfish. I didn’t use this pattern until a few years after I was given the book. It wasn’t until I learned more about its creator Tom Nixon and bought his book (Fly Fishing and Fly Tying fort Bass and Panfish) and participated in a few memorial fly swaps named after him.
You can drift or strip this pattern. It’s a nymph or attractor pattern. I utilized this pattern mostly on creeks specifically targeting bluegills but catching all sorts of species of fish. I mostly wade fish but also use a kayak on lakes and ponds. It won’t hurt to have this pattern in your fly box.
This is the Holschlag Hackle Fly. Sadly its creator passed a year or two ago. Tim wrote a good book or two about fly fishing for Smallmouth bass. It’s tied on a jig head or even weighted eyes. I used it on a 1/16 oz jig. I even use 1/8 but only when using at least a 6 wgt rod. I mainly drift this pattern in deep or swift riffles. I haven’t used it in a lake or pii I no but think it will produce for multiple species of fish. It’s this color. Brown with red or orange jig or eyes. I’ve made this a mainstay in my fly box for Smallies.
This is the Calcasieu Pigboat which was created by Tom Nixon. Calcasieu is the parish where he lived and fished. Pigboat is slang for U-boats or German submarines. It was made to imitate the Hawaiian Wiggler which is the predecessor to spinner baits or even jig baits. I’ve caught largemouth bass with this pattern. My father too. You can even attach a spinner blade. I’ve done it. You can tie these in many different colors.
This is the White Serpent. I guess this could imitate a pig-and-jig? There are some imitations or evolutions of these 2 Tom Nixon patterns. Some utilize microsuede or action tails. I’ve tied my PigBoats with rubber legs for tails or rabbit strip. Many variations can be made of these two patterns.
These patterns I’ve shared with you are just a few of the many flies which I’ve utilized from this book - Flies for Bass & Panfish by Dick Stewart and Farrow Allen. Hope this title may one day help you catch fish or fulfill your fly tying hobby.
Feel free to ask any question in the Comments.
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