Joe Brooks’ Original Blonde Bucktail

Joe Brooks Original Blonde Bucktail

Joe Brooks’ Blonde Bucktail is the earliest fly to gain widespread popularity in saltwater fly-fishing. By early, I mean back when saltwater fly-fishing was still in diapers – in the 50’s, 60’s, 70’s, and even the 80s.

Now it may come as a surprise, but the Blonde was not Joe Brooks’ creation. Joe himself gave that credit to Homer Rhode, Jr., who designed the fly to fish for tarpon back in the 1940s. Homer Rhodes Jr is perhaps the most intriguing and mysterious figure in the entire history of saltwater fly-fishing. If you would like to know more about him, on my site’s magazine page, is an article I wrote on this extremely gifted man. By the way, the Seaducer is his fly as well. Still, there is no doubt that it was Brooks that brought this fly to the public’s attention.

Joe Brooks Original Blonde Bucktail

In the photo is one of Joe Brooks’ original Blonde Bucktails. Joe had his flies tied for him by the famous Bill Upperman of Atlantic City, New Jersey. If you want to see another such fly view this link. This particular Blonde rides a 3/0 hook. The tail and wing are all-white bucktail. The shank is wrapped in silver embossed Mylar, that has corroded over the years. I bet the original thread was white as well, but the head cement has yellowed it. And unlike today’s commercially tied Blondes, it is dressed very full. Overall length is 4.5″.

Joe called the all-white Blonde the Platinum Blonde. He also recommended a Strawberry Blonde (orange tail, red wing), a Honey Blonde (yellow tail, yellow wing), a Black Blonde (black tail, black wing), a Pink Blonde 1# (pink tail, pink wing), a Pink Blonde 2# (white tail, pink wing) and an Argentine Blonde (white tail, medium blue wing).

Today, this fly is rarely seen in any angler’s fly box, having been completely replaced by Lefty’s Deceiver and Bob Clouser’s Deep Minnow. Both of which are excellent flies.  Regardless, the Blonde was and still is effective and an important part of our sport’s history.

 

Posted in Flies and Fly Tying, Fly Fishing in Salt Water | Leave a comment

Stillwater Trout?

Stillwater Trout?

Have you ever wondered why stillwater fly-fishing for trout never took off in our country? It’s really a shame. Its been huge in the UK since the planet cooled. Yes, across the pond they lack the abundance of public rivers we have. So stillwater was more of a necessity. But it provides a great deal of exciting fly-fishing, often over very large trout. And with the increasingly over- crowded nature of American rivers, stillwater could provide a whole new fly-fishing frontier for us as well.

Granted out in the Rockies, stillwater fly-fishing for trout does exist. And it is extremely popular and even famous for action in Kamloops, British Columbia, where trout between 10 and even 20 pounds are not unheard of! Imagine that beast on the end of your line? Wowzer!

Why on earth don’t we have more public trophy trout fly-fishing lakes across America? It’s challenging fishing with all the trimming – hatches, wet flies, streamers and of course nymphs – especially damsel flies and chironomides. Yes, the nymph fishing is often done deep, but the availability of release strike indicators that release on the bite and slide down the line makes things easy.

And no, you wouldn’t need a large boat,  a small cartop is fine. Float tubes, canoes and kayaks work as well. Stillwater fly-fishing richly deserves more attention.

Posted in Fly Fishing in Freshwater | Leave a comment

Scott Radian 10 foot 4 weight Revisited

Scott Radian 10 foot 4 weight Revisited

In 2017 I did a post on why I purchased a Scott Radian 10 foot for 4 weight line. Back at that tine, my central interest was learning more about euro-nymphing. And since my longest rod was 9 foot, that meant I was in the market for a rod with more reach. In those years, euro nymphing rods were typically 11 to 12 feet for a 3 weight line.  But the thought of dropping a chunk of cash on a fly rod of such limited versatility was a difficult pill to swallow. So I begin looking for a compromise, a rod capable of euro nymphing, but still effective for dries, wets, even streamers.

I found that rod in the Radian 10 foot for 4 weight line. It has proven itself to be an exceptionally versatile rod. I’m proud of my purchase and proud to own this beautifully made rod. It has been a win win. Yes in recent times the Radian has been discontinued, but if your looking for a great casting, highly accurate, used fly rod with reach, this could be your baby.

PS  The butt cap on my rod came loose. Be sure to check yours from time to time,

Posted in Fly Fishing in Freshwater, Fly Rods | Leave a comment

Here Fishy… Fishy.. Fishy

Here Fishy… Fishy.. Fishy

Not sure this works, but its worth a try

Posted in Fly Fishing on a Boat | Leave a comment

A Kayak in a Pickup Needs a Flag

A Kayak in a Pickup Needs a Flag

Does your kayak extend out the back of your pickup truck? Man, put a bright colored flag on the far end. Or the knucklehead behind you is going to slam right into it at the next stoplight. It happens all too often.

Posted in Kayak / SUP Fishing | Leave a comment