Throwback to the first season of the Fly Fusion Series with Al Ritt on the vise. Filmed on location at Island Lake Lodge, nestled in the heart of the Rockies in the Kootenay region of British Columbia.
Turning Challenge Into Success: Deaf Guide’s Fly Design Goes Global
In today’s world, the news is often hard to look at. But every so often, a story comes along that feels like sunlight breaking through the clouds. The Silent Spotter, a new film making waves on the outdoor film festival circuit, is one of those.
The Silent Spotter, a new film making waves on the outdoor film festival circuit, tells one of those stories.
Tommy Batun, a young deaf fly-fishing guide from southern Mexico, has spent his life on the flats chasing permit—one of the most notoriously difficult fish in the world to catch. Working alongside his father Alejandro, Tommy has turned what some might see as a limitation into a superpower: his uncanny ability to spot fish where others can’t.
The Trout System
By Jeremy Davies
All Photos © Frank Brassard
If you look at the first trout system and compare it with the new collection of flies featured in the Summer 2025 issue, you’ll see an evolution and an improvement in the patterns. Every year, Jeremy Davies goes on the hunt for new materials — testing new hooks, beads, dubbing, and other products that will enhance our time and success on the water. Below are 6 bonus patterns for your tying. Pick up the Summer issue to see 20 more innovative flies you will want to add to your fly box.
The Birth of an Obsession | Dana Harrison
Identity crisis: What is this pattern supposed to be?
I don’t know if a fly can have an existential crisis, but if it could, it might begin with the question What am I supposed to be?
Iconic fly-fishing brand joins Mayfly Outdoors
You can consider yourself truly blessed when providence favors you with the extreme good fortune to turn your life’s passion into your lifetime vocation. This has certainly been the case with Andy Renzetti. He loves to fly fish, work with his hands and create beautiful things for others to enjoy, a natural progression to building a company that is renowned for offering the best in fly tying vises, fly-tying hand tools, accessories, rod building equipment and manufacturing solutions to business.
The Humpy | Dana Harrison
The Humpy, an absolute true classic when it comes to dry flies and yet it strikes fear into our hearts when we think about tying it. The original method of tying the Humpy was unforgiving, as the same portion of Elk hair was used for both the hump and the wings. If you were off, even by a small amount, the proportion would be out of whack and you were left with another fly to give to a friend. I personally still tie it this way as I think it looks cleaner in the end, but I cut away some of the Elk hair for the hump. I find I want a lot of hair for the big wings, but then the hump ends up being too large.
There are other ways to tie this pattern as well which can be seen in the photo. The wings are actually Mallard flank and not Elk hair at all. This can be a great way to get some nicely coloured split wings while not having to battle the Elk hair. The hump and tail still remain true to the original though.
The Humpy should not be overlooked as it is one of the great Trout flies that exist today. The fly may not be as popular as some of the fancy patterns springing up these days and it certainly isn’t matching any hatches. All in all, it does have fish catching power and that is something some flies will never have.
Recipe: Humpy
Hook: TMC 100SP-BL
Thread: UTC 70
Tail: Nature’s Spirit Select Cow Elk
Body: Floss
Hump: Nature’s Spirit Select Cow Elk
Wings: Mallard Flank
Hackle: Whiting Farms Furnace Brown
Svend Diesel Bonus Flies
Erik Svendsen started tying flies a few years ago and has enjoyed it so much it’s become a lifelong hobby. As a stress relief from his day job, he loves to try new patterns, materials, and techniques. He is a busy father of three young children and owns his own company; he tries to fish every chance he gets but usually finds himself at the vise almost every night. He is known for his fun approach to fly tying on social media and loves to teach people any chance he can get. @svenddiesel
Check out all of Svend Diesel’s Fall patterns, as seen in the Fall 2020 issue of Fly Fusion…
Fusion Weevil
A highly-effective and custom nymph pattern developed by Jeremy Davies for Fly Fusion subscribers. Order yours today HERE!
Hook: Scud Hook sz 10-18
Thread: 8/0 Uni-Thread Black
Head: Black bead
Body: Ice Dub Fl Yellow
Thorax: Arizona Dubbing black
Shellback: Uni-Mylar Pearl
Legs: Black goose biots
Tail: Black schlappen fibres
Rib: Black wire
The Evil Weevil
Every year, resident Fly Fusion tying innovator, Jeremy Davies, creates five or ten new fly patterns that he test on several of his favourite waters throughout the year. Some yield amazing success which prompts the tying and perfecting of several dozen to load his fly boxes. Jeremy recently narrowed down his top flies to 50 go-to patterns which he swears by. Up first is his immensely popular signature pattern, The Evil Weevil!
Hook: Scud Hook sz 10-18
Thread: Olive or black Uni-Thread 8/0
Bead: Gold reg or tungsten
Body: Arizona Dubbing Light Peacock
Thorax: Arizona Dubbing Natural Peacock
Wingcase: Uni-Mylar Pearl
Tail: Female Ringneck pheasant Fibers
Legs: Brown goose biots
Rib: Fine Gold wire
Check out the full 50 flies in the in the Fall 22 and Spring 23 issues of Fly Fusion Magazine!
What’s New in the Tying Game?
If you’re like me, you spend an unhealthy amount of time looking at fly fishing gear. Though you may not need that new seal disc drag fly reel or the matching blue backing, you still look, nonetheless. Those of us who tie tend to fall into the same routine, clicking that “What’s New” category in fly tying, to see the latest and greatest in the fly tying world. We do this knowing we probably won’t deviate far from the pheasant tails, hares ears, caddis, and simulators that overflow our boxes. Yet, these days, it seems like there are new products to be excited about; and unlike rods, reels, waders, and boots, fly tying materials often don’t break the bank.
In the Spring 2021 issue, Dana Harrison reviewed some newly released fly tying products to see if they live up to the hype. Following are a few patterns he tied up in the process.
Subscribe to Fly Fusion to experience the Soul of Fly Fishing, PLUS save up to 40% AND we'll even send you some FREE swag for the next season!
