Bob Mitchell used to say that the reason you tied your ownflies was because that way you got exactly what you want. If you don't tie, the flies offered here are the closest you'll find to that standard. The fly tiers profiled here are dedicated to the craft and test their flies on our local spring creeks.

We're an old-fashioned fly shop. We tie our own flies and believe that all business is personal business. We like to know our customers, help answer their angling questions and we like to conduct business over a handshake and a cup of coffee.

Summer Flies

Here are some good choices for the summer season.

Click photos for larger image

Bob's Jolly Green Giant

Yes, this is a big fly. It's also the fly in our logo, Bob's signature creation and dedicated to the proposition that not all hoppers are yellow.

Size 4

Rob's Welfare Hopper

This baby can't sink and makes a big plop when it hits the water, just like the real thing.

Size 10

Bob's Trico Spinner

Bob had to change his pattern when he moved out west in ’94. We’re happy to report that he solved the problem and his new pattern works even better now.

Size 20
Size 22

Jay Trike

This is a dandy little Trico pattern that you can actually see on the water.

Size 22

Bob's Secret Dun & Spinner

For fishing the most miserable hatch and spinner fall of the season, the Tiny Olives, these patterns just might make your day.

Dun Size 24

Spinner Size 24

Gabe's Yellow Sally

Look at that egg sac. If you were a trout you couldn’t resist this morsel.

Size 14

Lon's Favorite Frog

This fly is almost completely weedless and orients itself in the water just like a real frog. Pitch it into the lily pads, move it an inch and dare the bass to ignore it.

Black
Chartreuse

The Seagull

This foam diver is murder on smallmouth. From the creative brain of Curt Nordrum.

Size 2

Bead Head Silver Bugger

Avery big minnow imitation for bass in deep or stained water.

Size 6

Bead Head Woolly Bugger

This is an effective and ridiculously simple fly that can be fished a variety of ways.

Size 6

Jon's Crayfish

Actually a variation of Jon's much praised pattern, designed to look like a fleeing crayfish.

Size 6 - Olive
Size 6 - Orange

Puss Bug

This thing is a great bluegill pattern, but I’ve caught bass on it as well.

Size 10 - Pink
Size 10 - Chartreuse

Ellen's Atomic Ant

The advantage of this fly is that only bass and very big bluegills can eat it.

Size 8

Burnet County Black Widow

Ron's singular bluegill fly has everything: size, shape, color, movement. Why do you think it's called the black widow?

Size 12
Size 14

Spring Flies

Here are some good choices for the spring season.

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TP's Soft Hackle Emerger

This is an excellent representation of an emerging mayfly. Fish it upstream.

Size 16

Size 18

Size 20

BH Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail

This is Murry's version of the One Fly winner from a few years ago.

Size 12

Size 14

Size 16

Blue Dun Emerger

Tracy improved my pattern several years ago and I won’t be without it. The BDE can be fished up as a dry or down like a wet.

Size 18

Skip Wet

An elegant creation, this little wet fly can be fished as a caddis or a mayfly. One of Thumper’s best efforts.

Size 14

Rusty Wet Spinner

Imitates a submerged Baetis spinner and it’s very effective when fished across and awash in the drift.

Size 18

Busch's Marabou Muddler

Originally designed for Brookies on the North Shore, but it works anywhere. Fish it with split shot.

Size 10

The Duck Series

This is an effective and ridiculously simple fly that can be fished wet or dry.

Size 16

Kinni Sulphur, female

Originally designed for the Kinnickinnic but effective where ever E. needhami is found.

Size 16

Rob's Struggling Dun

When the trout refuse the Blue Dun Emerger I switch to this very effective emerger.

Size 18

Bread & Butter Caddis

Rob really nailed this one. Carry it instead of the Elk Hair caddis because it’s better.

Size 18

TP's Little Caddis Thing

Usually the only other caddis in my box. Extremely versatile, always upright, great silhouette and it dries easily.

Size 16
Size 18

Jon's Humpy From Hell

This one was designed as a strike indicator but it works on the point, too.

Size 12

Winter Flies

Here are some good choices for the winter season, January through March. We lean heavily toward weighted nymphs and streamers at this time of year.

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Hi-Vis Prince, Tung Head

This version of the popular pattern is improved by sinking deeper and reflecting more light.

Size 12
Size 14

Improved Harry’s Havoc

Dutch’s Soft Hackle Hare’s Ear Nymph sinks deeper because of the tungsten bead and the soft hackle adds motion.

Size 12
Size 14

Tung Head Pheasant Tail

Our most popular pheasant tail nymph because it’s the right size and very heavy.

Size 18

RK’s Stonefly Nymph

This is an excellent imitation of the small brown stoneflies that proliferate in our area.

Size 10

Bob’s Bead Head Flashback Strip Nymph

Tracy’s version of Bob’s most effective nymph – a fusion of motion, color & size.

Size 8

Jon’s Catchpenny Leech

A very tasty and effective pattern. Use it in place of a woolly bugger. Select brown, black, olive or grey.

Size 8

Tung Head Winter Stone

The right size, the right color, just the right amount of flash and enough weight to get it right into the feeding zone.

Size 10

Squirrel Tail Clouser

A shallow water baitfish imitation built on a long shank hook to foil short strikers.

Size 6