<![CDATA[Casters Fly Shop: Latest News]]>

<![CDATA[Casters Fly Shop: Latest News]]> https://www.castersonlineflyshop.com Thu, 30 Jul 2026 20:44:53 +0000 <![CDATA[Articulated Helgi- Hellgrammite Larva Using Cohen's Creatures, Live 4 Fly Fishing Hare Blend, Flymen Evolution Beadhead and Deer Creek UV Flex Resin]]> https://www.castersonlineflyshop.com/blog/articulated-helgi-hellgrammite-larva-using-cohens-creatures-live-4-fly-fishing-hare-blend-flymen-evolution-beadhead-and-deer-creek-uv-flex-resin/ Thu, 25 Aug 2016 15:19:00 +0000 https://www.castersonlineflyshop.com/blog/articulated-helgi-hellgrammite-larva-using-cohens-creatures-live-4-fly-fishing-hare-blend-flymen-evolution-beadhead-and-deer-creek-uv-flex-resin/ Of all the fly patterns bouncing around the interwebs, we rarely see any aimed specifically at representing an important food source to various freshwater species found throughout the Americas, Asia and Africa, the hellgrammite or dobsonfly. These giant Megalopterans are from the Corydalidae family and are voracious, aquatic insectivores. That's correct! They are generalist predators that prey on many of the mayflies, stoneflies, caddisflies and midges that fly tyers aim to represent at their vises. You know, those little bugs that can often be difficult to see.

Photo courtesy of What's That Bug?

That is one heck of a morsel for our fishy friends. TROUT AND SMALLMOUTH LOVE THEM. Sure we can use a woolly bugger to represent the larva but why not use a better representation. Super tyer, Pat Cohen, has given us a medium to create such a pattern. Cohen's Creatures is a collection of synthetic chamois cut-outs that represent a multitude of body parts from various critters like crawfish and frogs. Enough BS'ing. Here you go.

Daiichi 1750 (sz. 10 for this sized bug)

Cut the Cohen's Creature- Hellgrammite where the thorax and abdomen meet.

Thread the abdominal portion of the Creature onto the hook.

Apply a thread base from the eye to the bend of the hook.

The colors vary dramatically but the brown olive L4FF Hare Blend is a good place to start.

Create a dubbing ball.

Apply several wraps of thread to secure the rear segment in place.

Create another dubbing ball.

Secure the next segment in place with several more thread wraps.

Create another dubbing ball to create the next segment.

Secure the next segment in place with a few wraps of thread.

Create the last dubbing ball for the abdominal section.

Secure the last segment in place with a few more wraps of thread.

Mark the abdominal section to your liking.

No need to explain.

Apply one coat of the UV Resin on top of each segment.

Add another coat of UV Resin to accentuate the segmentation.

Wire for the junction between the back and front hook.

Place the Evolution Bead and apply a thread base (never knew I was a rapper did you).

Pass the wire through the eye of the rear hook and secure in place on the front hook.

Secure a bit of lead wire on the bottom of the hook shank to ensure that the fly rides properly.

More of the same L4FF Hare Blend to help create the thorax.

Start with another dubbing ball just in front of the bend of the hook.

Secure the front section of the Helgi Creature with several wraps of thread.

Im missing a photo but create another dubbing ball and secure the next segment in place.

And again. Thank you sir may I have another.

Lets get ready to mark.

Superglue to the head to the bead.

Repeat with the UV Resin and create the front 4 segments. VIOLA!

]]> Of all the fly patterns bouncing around the interwebs, we rarely see any aimed specifically at representing an important food source to various freshwater species found throughout the Americas, Asia and Africa, the hellgrammite or dobsonfly. These giant Megalopterans are from the Corydalidae family and are voracious, aquatic insectivores. That's correct! They are generalist predators that prey on many of the mayflies, stoneflies, caddisflies and midges that fly tyers aim to represent at their vises. You know, those little bugs that can often be difficult to see.

Photo courtesy of What's That Bug?

Daiichi 1750 (sz. 10 for this sized bug)

Cut the Cohen's Creature- Hellgrammite where the thorax and abdomen meet.

Thread the abdominal portion of the Creature onto the hook.

Apply a thread base from the eye to the bend of the hook.

The colors vary dramatically but the brown olive L4FF Hare Blend is a good place to start.

Create a dubbing ball.

Apply several wraps of thread to secure the rear segment in place.

Create another dubbing ball.

Secure the next segment in place with several more thread wraps.

Create another dubbing ball to create the next segment.

Secure the next segment in place with a few wraps of thread.

Create the last dubbing ball for the abdominal section.

Secure the last segment in place with a few more wraps of thread.

Mark the abdominal section to your liking.

No need to explain.

Apply one coat of the UV Resin on top of each segment.

Add another coat of UV Resin to accentuate the segmentation.

Wire for the junction between the back and front hook.

Place the Evolution Bead and apply a thread base (never knew I was a rapper did you).

Pass the wire through the eye of the rear hook and secure in place on the front hook.

Secure a bit of lead wire on the bottom of the hook shank to ensure that the fly rides properly.

More of the same L4FF Hare Blend to help create the thorax.

Start with another dubbing ball just in front of the bend of the hook.

Secure the front section of the Helgi Creature with several wraps of thread.

Im missing a photo but create another dubbing ball and secure the next segment in place.

And again. Thank you sir may I have another.

Lets get ready to mark.

Superglue to the head to the bead.

Repeat with the UV Resin and create the front 4 segments. VIOLA!

]]> <![CDATA[Trout Line Catgut/Flymen Fishing Company Nymph Head Evolution Beadheads Step By Step]]> https://www.castersonlineflyshop.com/blog/trout-line-catgutflymen-fishing-company-nymph-head-evolution-beadheads-step-by-step/ Tue, 21 Apr 2015 11:16:00 +0000 https://www.castersonlineflyshop.com/blog/trout-line-catgutflymen-fishing-company-nymph-head-evolution-beadheads-step-by-step/

Flymen Nymph Head Evolution Beadheads

Size 12 Daiichi 1120 Scud Hook and Nymph Head Bead

Secure 2 bobbins; one around the bend of the hook and 1 behind the bead

Secure a strand of Trout Line Catgut the length of the hook

Catgut secure

Wind the Catgut forward and secure behind the Nymph Head

Pick your dubbing of choice (I like SLF for this application)

Create a fine dubbing cord and palmer it through the spaces in the segmentation

Advance the dubbing cord to just behind the bead

Choose your Hare'e Wiggle Dub (I like the golden brown)

Pull out 3 strands of the fine rubber from the Hare'e Wiggle Dub

Double the rubber around the thread and secure in place at the throat

Create another dubbing cord with the Hare'e Dub and fill the space behind the bead

Whip finish

Complete! Just add water

]]>

Flymen Nymph Head Evolution Beadheads

Size 12 Daiichi 1120 Scud Hook and Nymph Head Bead

Secure 2 bobbins; one around the bend of the hook and 1 behind the bead

Secure a strand of Trout Line Catgut the length of the hook

Catgut secure

Wind the Catgut forward and secure behind the Nymph Head

Pick your dubbing of choice (I like SLF for this application)

Create a fine dubbing cord and palmer it through the spaces in the segmentation

Advance the dubbing cord to just behind the bead

Choose your Hare'e Wiggle Dub (I like the golden brown)

Pull out 3 strands of the fine rubber from the Hare'e Wiggle Dub

Double the rubber around the thread and secure in place at the throat

Create another dubbing cord with the Hare'e Dub and fill the space behind the bead

Whip finish

Complete! Just add water

]]> <![CDATA[The 5 Biggest Trout and the 5 Top Fly Patterns That May Have Tricked Them.]]> https://www.castersonlineflyshop.com/blog/the-5-biggest-trout-and-the-5-top-fly-patterns-that-may-have-tricked-them/ Tue, 24 Mar 2015 07:58:00 +0000 https://www.castersonlineflyshop.com/blog/the-5-biggest-trout-and-the-5-top-fly-patterns-that-may-have-tricked-them/ Orvis Endorsed Guide, Dave Hise.

Dr. Joe w/ a gator. Look at that head.


Bryan w/ a hog.

Bryan w/ another.

Yours truly w/ an arse whooper.

Matt w/ a beaut.


I know, I said 5 but couldn't pick so here's a 6th. Glenn looking stoic.

Enough with the fish. Below are the flies that have produced the most fish; day in and day out, year in and year out. Why change it if its not broken? Tying is a great past time and I love to create at the bench but when it comes to the stream, simplicity is often best.

http://www.castersonlineflyshop.com/squirmito-the-original-squirmie-wormy-fly-pattern/

Squirmito- the Original Squirmy Wormie

Mopchu Picchu

http://www.castersonlineflyshop.com/hises-gettin-jiggy-wit-it/

Gettin' Jiggy Wit' It. The number 1 big fish producer in any condition.

http://www.castersonlineflyshop.com/hises-hetero-genius-nymph-orange/

Circa 1991. The Hetero-genius Nymph.

http://www.castersonlineflyshop.com/hises-epeorus-stoneclinger-nymph/

Epeorus Stoneclinger Nympf.

Squirmito Cluster.

Mopchu doing work.

]]> Orvis Endorsed Guide, Dave Hise.

Dr. Joe w/ a gator. Look at that head.


Bryan w/ a hog.

Bryan w/ another.

Yours truly w/ an arse whooper.

Matt w/ a beaut.


I know, I said 5 but couldn't pick so here's a 6th. Glenn looking stoic.

Squirmito- the Original Squirmy Wormie

Mopchu Picchu

Gettin' Jiggy Wit' It. The number 1 big fish producer in any condition.

Circa 1991. The Hetero-genius Nymph.

Epeorus Stoneclinger Nympf.

Squirmito Cluster.

Mopchu doing work.

]]> <![CDATA[Step By Step Wiggler Variant Fly Pattern]]> https://www.castersonlineflyshop.com/blog/step-by-step-wiggler-variant-fly-pattern/ Tue, 03 Mar 2015 14:31:00 +0000 https://www.castersonlineflyshop.com/blog/step-by-step-wiggler-variant-fly-pattern/

A perfect hook for the biggest, strongest fish- Daiichi 1530

Create a thread base and end up at the bend of the hook

Select 2 or 3 Grizzly Marabou feathers for the tail and back

Secure the Grizzly Marabou Feathers in place at the bend with tight pinch wraps

Secured in place and make a funny face

http://www.castersonlineflyshop.com/hareline-ice-dub-dubbing/

Ice Dub (UV lt. yellow is a favorite) rules for certain applications and nymphs are one of these

Create an Ice Dub thread cord

OOPS! Forgot to tie in Bead Chain Eyes

Advance your dubbing cord to behind the eyes

Lay down the butt ends of the Grizzly Marabou to behind the Bead Chain Eyes

http://www.castersonlineflyshop.com/hareline-haree-ice-dub-dubbing/

Mix a clump of Hare'e Ice Dub (golden brown) and Krystal Dub (hare's ear)

Create dubbing cord and wrap behind, criss-cross between and in front of the eyes

Whip finish

http://www.castersonlineflyshop.com/wasatch-cocobolo-dubbing-brush/

Brush out head and underbody with a dubing brush or pick

http://www.castersonlineflyshop.com/hareline-changeable-tip-and-battery-fly-tying-cautery/

Clean around the eye with one of the coolest fly tying tools around, the Cautery

http://www.castersonlineflyshop.com/deer-creek-diamond-fine-uv-resin-thin-version/

Coat the head with Deer Creek UV Resin (its actually tack free)

http://www.castersonlineflyshop.com/deer-creek-pro-torch/

Cure the Deer Creek UV Resin with the Deer Creek Pro Torch

Complete!

]]>

A perfect hook for the biggest, strongest fish- Daiichi 1530

Create a thread base and end up at the bend of the hook

Select 2 or 3 Grizzly Marabou feathers for the tail and back

Secure the Grizzly Marabou Feathers in place at the bend with tight pinch wraps

Secured in place and make a funny face

Ice Dub (UV lt. yellow is a favorite) rules for certain applications and nymphs are one of these

Create an Ice Dub thread cord

OOPS! Forgot to tie in Bead Chain Eyes

Advance your dubbing cord to behind the eyes

Lay down the butt ends of the Grizzly Marabou to behind the Bead Chain Eyes

Mix a clump of Hare'e Ice Dub (golden brown) and Krystal Dub (hare's ear)

Create dubbing cord and wrap behind, criss-cross between and in front of the eyes

Whip finish

Brush out head and underbody with a dubing brush or pick

Clean around the eye with one of the coolest fly tying tools around, the Cautery

Coat the head with Deer Creek UV Resin (its actually tack free)

Cure the Deer Creek UV Resin with the Deer Creek Pro Torch

Complete!

]]> <![CDATA[Best Trout Flies for Late Winter in the Mid-Atlantic/Southeast US]]> https://www.castersonlineflyshop.com/blog/best-trout-flies-for-late-winter-in-the-mid-atlanticsoutheast-us/ Mon, 02 Mar 2015 08:54:00 +0000 https://www.castersonlineflyshop.com/blog/best-trout-flies-for-late-winter-in-the-mid-atlanticsoutheast-us/ There is a plethora of patterns that can be used for trout during the late winter/early spring in the mid-Atlantic/southeast US. It is the time of the year that many different aquatic insects are scurrying about along our freestone river/spring creek bottoms while few are fluttering about. BWO's, midges and little winter black stones are the primary insects we see on a day to day basis but we're about to transition into a period of a multitude of insects, like early black stones, larger BWO's, March browns, crane flies and grey caddis, to name a few. Water temps are still on the marginal side so most of our productive flies will be subsurface. With the exception of tailwaters, the hatches on most of our freestone streams are sporadic at best; therefore, surface action is usually minimal. I said usually for those skeptics.

That being said, we only need to have less than a dozen patterns of varying sizes in our boxes at any given time. Below are a few productive patterns that will help bring more fish in the net.

Hise's Hetero-genius Nymph has proven to be productive since 1991 and it covers the attractor/imitator realm (sz. 14-18)

http://www.castersonlineflyshop.com/oliver-edwards-little-black-stonefly/

Edward's Little Winter Black Stonefly covers the smaller late winter/early spring stonefly nymphs realm (sz. 12-18)

http://www.castersonlineflyshop.com/bead-head-hares-ear/

BH Hare's Ear is a great imitation of the lighter bodied spring insects that are soon to come; hendrickson's, March browns, caddis and crane flies (sz. 8-16)

http://www.castersonlineflyshop.com/squirmito-the-original-squirmie-wormy/

Squirmito- the Original Squirmy Wormie is a great imitation of the Tubifex tubifex worms that are found in the silty waterways of the southeast

Quasimoto Pheasant Tail covers the multitude of baetis and darker bodied mayflies that are so prevalent in the spring (sz. 12-18)

http://www.castersonlineflyshop.com/tunghead-zebra-midge/

Tunghead Zebra Midge works all year but is particularly productive in the winter and spring when the midge s are so prevalent (sz. 20-24)

Y2K Egg Fly is productive throughout the year because plain and simple we like eggs and trout like eggs (sz. 12-14)

Camden's Baetis is a great little pattern that covers the realm of tiny baetis, midge larva and even little winter stones (sz. 18-20)

Hise's Ooey Gooey Grub is a great pattern for imitating caddis larva, bee larva, wasp larva and cranefly larva (sz. 8-14)

http://www.castersonlineflyshop.com/hises-gettin-jiggy-wit-it-fly/

Gettin' Jiggy Wit' It catches a lot of big fish in any water condition

]]> There is a plethora of patterns that can be used for trout during the late winter/early spring in the mid-Atlantic/southeast US. It is the time of the year that many different aquatic insects are scurrying about along our freestone river/spring creek bottoms while few are fluttering about. BWO's, midges and little winter black stones are the primary insects we see on a day to day basis but we're about to transition into a period of a multitude of insects, like early black stones, larger BWO's, March browns, crane flies and grey caddis, to name a few. Water temps are still on the marginal side so most of our productive flies will be subsurface. With the exception of tailwaters, the hatches on most of our freestone streams are sporadic at best; therefore, surface action is usually minimal. I said usually for those skeptics.