Bruce’s DDP Stone | Justin Bruce @justinbruceflies

As seen in the Winter 2019 issue of Fly Fusion Magazine

Sitting at the vise, I thought, I want a heavy, buggy, leggy, stonefly that uses my Houdini-weave and lays the smack down like Diamond Dallas Page. Blame it on the Dark Side of the Moon soundtrack playing in the background, but what came off the vise was a DDP stone. Some people swear by natural imitations, but I’ve always been a sucker for wild colours and flash. Green legs have been the ticket on North Georgia’s Toccoa River tailwater lately.

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“I’m the first to admit that I’m not very skilled or experienced at European-style nymphing, but I am fascinated by the techniques, the flies and the people who are obsessed with it.  When they get into fishing this way they often don’t want to do anything else,”

Jig Sassi Solution

Hook: Jig hook, #12-16

Bead: Gold or copper tungsten slotted bead

Thread: Uni-Thread, black, 8/0

Body: Pheasant tail

Thorax: Bright orange or pink dubbing

Tail: Pheasant tail

Rib: Copper wire

Catch all of Jeremy’s Flies for Euro Nymphing in the Spring 2020 issue of Fly Fusion!  Pick up your copy or subscribe today!

Hook – Firehole Sticks 315 #14-16

Bead – 3MM Round Tungsten

Thread – UTC 70D Black

Body – UTC Ultra Wire Chartreuse & Green

Thorax – Natural Rabbit Dubbing / Ice Dub Black Peacock

Fly Tied by Jake Vanderweyden

Check out all 6 patterns of Jake’s Spring Arsenal in Volume 17, Issue 2 – grab a copy of this back issue here today!

Purple Wet Fly recipe:

Tag: Silver Tinsel
Tail: Golden Pheasant Tippet, Dyed Purple
Body: Charcoal Floss
Rib: Silver Tinsel
Collar: Purple Hackle
Wing: Black Fox, with 2 strands of flash
Collar: Black Hen Hackle
Cheeks: Jungle Cock over Starling

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Hook: TMC 100, 16
Thread: Veevus 14/0, B14, Olive
Body: Hareline Turkey Biot Quills, Olive
Thorax: Spirit River Fine & Dry UV2, Dark Olive Baetis
Tail: Fibetts/Mayfly Tails Olive, Olive
Hackle: Whiting Dry Fly Cape, Medium Dun

Tied by Torbjorn Tiltnes @torbjorn.tiltnes

Written and tied by Justin Bruce (@justinbruceflies)

I fish for fun. If we are fortunate, we might experience a rare moment, a “spot in time” as the poet, Wordsworth calls it, outside where we want to pause the clock and just sit in that moment. For me, such moments have resonated more and more on the water. An afternoon on the river seems to create a better version of myself because I drive home and open the door a more focused and intentional husband and father.

This past year, I’ve become obsessed with tying and testing my creations. Since I usually have multiple flies in my “I wonder if they work” box, I have a huge incentive to invite my friends to join me in the ripples to do a little “research.”  When I get the chance to take a first timer with me, he will almost always say “there’s too much to consider” or declare that he’s overwhelmed with “too many options.” Fly fishing certainly opens up a rabbit hole. The decision of what to toss and how to fish can seem endless. But in all honesty, for me, finding the right fit is only as complicated as we want to make it. Read More

Hook: Stealth Hook C Series sizes 8-14

Thread: Semperfli Waxed Thread 8/0 Red

Body: Semperfli waxed thread ribbed with tan ostrich barbules

Bead: Tungsten beads (4) X 3/32 oz and (2) X 1/8 oz

Resin: Semperfli No Tack UV Resin

Tied by Erik Svendsen @SvendDiesel

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Fly tying, like many arts, has entered a phase of modernization. New space-age materials have led to unbelievably realistic designs that have captivated the fly-tying community. Thus, certain flies are beginning to disappear, as their popularity declines alongside their aging tiers.

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As the winter snows of the Rocky Mountains begin to thaw, a change is set in motion. The landscape breaks loose and emerges from a crisp exoskeleton of winter. For many fly fishers the pinnacle of this yearly change is the transformation of Pteronarcys californica – the stonefly known as the salmonfly – into its adult form. Most fly fishers have some familiarity with spring salmonfly hatches that proclaim the beginning of the new season on many of western North America’s freestone rivers and streams. While the salmonfly hatch is one of fly fishing’s most compelling events, success during this time is not guaranteed and often depends on the design of your flies.
When creating the Beefcake Stone, I spent extensive time observing the naturals from both above and below the water. This provided me with an accurate picture of the insect’s visual and behavioural traits. The exoskeletons of adult salmon flies display a subtle sheen so I selected a tying material that was capable of producing the same effect in my imitations. With a combination of buoyancy and reflectivity, Wapsi’s Loco Foam is the perfect material. In addition to its gloss, its laminated coating reduces flexibility. This allows for more realistic body segmentation.

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