In February of 2019 eleven fly tyers from the Appalachian Tenkara Anglers Facebook group participated in a “Winter Fly Swap.”
There were no strict rules. Simply tie up a few flies and drop them in the mail to be consolidated and re-distributed. The resulting flies were incredible! As a participant, I have fished all of them at this point… and am happy to report they catch fish exceptionally as well.
Photos (and in most cases names & ingredient lists) are featured below just in case you’d like to give a few of these patterns a spin on your vise.
Jim Carey: Owner #3 Hook, Teal Yarn, Emu Feather
Kevin P. Etherson, “MADAM X”: #12 2XL Hook, Yellow 140D UTC Thread, Deer Hair, Yellow Craft Foam, Yellow/Gold Crazy Legs
Michael Schram, “Killer Squirrel”: TMC 2457 #12 Hook, Black Tungsten 2.88mm Bead, Pink 6/0 Thread, Shetland Spindrift Oyster Yarn, Copper Wire, Hot Pink UV Ice Dub
Dayne Trout, “MOC Peridon Nymph”: #12 Hook, Tungsten Bead, Fine Copper Wire, Hot Pink Thread Underbody, E130 Metallic DMC Floss, Hot Pink Fur Tail/Spine, Mono Thread, Mylar Hot Spot, UV Resin
Dan Pierce: TMC 113BLH #10 Hook, Wild Maine Turkey Feather, Uni 6/0 Thread, Black Shetland Spindrift Yarn (mainetenkara.com)
Will Groves, “Black Magic Soft Hackle”: Daiichi 1530 #12 Hook
Paul Vertrees, “Killer Kebari”Daiichi 1190 #14 Hook, 6/0 Uni Thread, Shetland Spindrift Yarn, Uni SM Copper Wire, Hen Pheasant Hackle. (tenkaratracks.com)
Luis Alberto Gomez, “Sangre de Toro”: Red Silk Thread, Brown Coq de Leon Feather
Michael Agneta, “Whiz Wit”: Firehole 320 #12 Hook, Yellow 8/0 Ultra Thread, Whiting #12 White Hackle, Peacock Herl (troutrageous.com)
Jason Sparks: #6 Firehole Hook, Dusk/Mist Shetland Spindrift Yarn, Natural Hen Hackle (Founder, Appalachian Tenkara Anglers)
Jason Sparks: #6 Firehole Hook, Red/Eesit Shetland Spindrift Yarn, Black & White Hen Hackle (Founder, Appalachian Tenkara Anglers)
If you’re interested in tying some of your own flies, Tenkara Angler highly recommends checking out the hook, thread, feather, and yarn selection at Dragontail Tenkara. It’s surprisingly extensive.
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