Wednesday, March 20, 2024

Fly Fishing Journeys Pod Cast
Louis DiGena – The Art of Fly Tying


Louis DiGena – The Art of Fly Tying

Podcast: https://flyfishingjourneys.com/louis-digena-the-art-of-fly-tying/ 

Lou DiGena is an accomplished fly tier from New Jersey.  He’s an extraordinary guy. We dive deep into fly tying, photography, digital media, and fine art. As I learned on this podcast, he is a professor of fine art and digital media at St John University.   

I don’t think either of us thought we were going down the art rabbit hole but that is the fun part of podcasts, learning about your guests as a person and their expertise. It clear Lou is an artist, both behind the vise, behind the lens and in various other art mediums.

He stresses the idea of observation both in art and on the water and how focused observation will make you a better fly tier and fly fisherman.  


Sunday, February 14, 2021

Killer Rock Worm with Lou DiGena

 

Hook:        Mustad S80-3906 (https://amzn.to/3qlSsIY)
Size:         10 - 16         
Thread:     UTC Ultra Wire, Black in size Brassie (https://amzn.to/37gXKhj)      
Body:        Green Yarn (https://amzn.to/2LOSw4Q)
Head:        UTC Ultra Wire, Black (https://amzn.to/37gXKhj)
 
The "Killer Rock Worm" a variation of Frank Sawyer's "Killer Bug." Using black wire and green yarn.   Change yarn and wire color to mimic the caddis larva in your waters.

The Killer Bug is famous in the U.K. and Europe and recently has this pattern gained a following in the U.S.  This fly is renowned for its catching fish and the mythological properties of Chadwick's 477 wool used in its construction.

Frank Sawyer was a river keeper on the River Avon at Lake in Wiltshire in the U.K., along with being a writer and inventor of such flies as the Pheasant Tail Nymph.  

The killer bug was developed by Mr. Sawyer to manage the grayling numbers on the River Avon.  Then Grayling considered a coarse fish and undesirable as a food or game fish.

If you're looking for an available substitute, Semperfli Chadwicks 477 Substitute (https://amzn.to/3de9ll5) is an excellent choice.

 

Fly Tying Gear:

    Regal Stainless Steel Revolution and Base (https://amzn.to/3gxmQvL)
    Regal Vise Tool Bar Attachment (https://amzn.to/2IxpKEe)
    Cohen's Sculpting Scissors

    Tiemco Ceramic Bobbin (https://amzn.to/3u7Gkxv)
    Matarelli Whip Finisher (https://amzn.to/370HxNu)
    
Solarez Bone Dry (https://amzn.to/3m3o4jn

 

Camera Gear:

    Camera: Panasonic GH4 (https://amzn.to/2ItiCsu)
    Lens: Panasonic 30mm Macro (https://amzn.to/3n0ZZe)
    Ring Light: Neewer 48 Macro LED (https://amzn.to/2VUSfii)

    Fill Light (3): Aputure H198 (https://amzn.to/39V2D1S)
    Battery: Wasabi Power Battery and charger. (https://amzn.to/2VRyo3s)

    Backdrop: Dark Grey & Light Grey (https://amzn.to/33UzUX3)
 

 

Using affiliate links helps support the channel at no cost to you, thanks.

 

© 2021 Louis DiGena All Rights Reserved. 

 

#loudigena #flytying #flyfishing

 

Tuesday, February 2, 2021

Pea-Ca-Bou Nymph with Lou DiGena

 
 
Dick Talleur calls this nymph the Pea-Ca-Bou Brown, and I can only find mention of this pattern in Hooked on Fly Tying - Classic Wet Flies & Nymphs, Bennett-Watt Entertainment, Inc. (https://amzn.to/2Mp1yFU)

It's a tremendous all-a-round nymph that uses two of the best materials out there Peacock herl and marabou. I've found smaller sizes are effective little black stone flies, and larger versions imitate Isonychia, also known as the Slate Drake.

It's simple, and once you get used to handling the marabou, a fast pattern to tie.

Pea-Ca-Bou Nymph

Hook: 2X Long Wet Fly (Tiemco – TMC2302) (https://amzn.to/36wY0bM)
Thread: UNI 6/0 Brown (https://amzn.to/3ahRCWY)
Hackle: Brown Marabou (https://amzn.to/3r8bYbN)
Tail: Brown Marabou (https://amzn.to/3r8bYbN)
Body: Peacock Herl (https://amzn.to/3re0u6N)
Head: UNI 6/0 Brown (https://amzn.to/3ahRCWY)

Wednesday, December 30, 2020

Takayama Sakasa Kebari with Lou DiGena


Takayama Sakasa Kebari with Lou DiGena

The Takayama Sakasa Kebari is a legendary Sakasa Kebari thought to originate in Japan's Takayama region. What makes this pattern different than a standard Kebari is the Peacock herl collar and Hen Pheasant hackle. What fly doesn't benefit either Peacock herl or Pheasant feathers?  If you don't have Hen Pheasant, substitute any molded brown hen wet fly hackle or Hungary Partridge.

These flies are more impressionistic fly, and it roughly mimics a large variety of insects, so change thread color to match the bugs hatching on your waters. It's a great searching pattern and emerger. 

Materials:

    Hook:  Mustad C49S Curved Caddis Hook  (https://amzn.to/3rzSUEr)
    Thread: UTC 140 Red (https://amzn.to/3hnCSsH)
    Head: UTC 140 Red (https://amzn.to/3hnCSsH)

    Thorax: Peacock Herl (https://amzn.to/37VvS31)
    Abdomen: UTC 140 Red (https://amzn.to/3hnCSsH)

Fly Tying Gear:

    Regal Stainless Steel Revolution and Base (https://amzn.to/3gxmQvL)
    Regal Vise Tool Bar Attachment (https://amzn.to/2IxpKEe)   
    Cohen's Sculpting Scissors

    Matarelli Whip Finisher (https://amzn.to/370HxNu)

Camera Gear:

    Camera: Panasonic GH4 (https://amzn.to/2ItiCsu)
    Lens: Panasonic 30mm Macro (https://amzn.to/3n0ZZe)
    Ring Light: Neewer 48 Macro LED (https://amzn.to/2VUSfii)

    Fill Light (3): Aputure H198 (https://amzn.to/39V2D1S)
    Battery: Wasabi Power Battery and charger. (https://amzn.to/2VRyo3s)

    Backdrop: Dark Grey & Light Grey (https://amzn.to/33UzUX3)

Using affiliate links helps support the channel at no cost to you, thanks.

© 2020 Louis DiGena All Rights Reserved. 

#loudigena #flytying #flyfishing

Wednesday, December 23, 2020

Sawyer's Pheasant Tail Nymph with Lou DiGena

 

I think everyone knows the Pheasant Tail Nymph, but I'm not sure how many know Sawyer's Pheasant tail nymph. The pattern is dead simple, and like most patterns I tie, it follows the K.I.S.S. rule. 

For those who don't know the pattern, it's a killer. Frank Sawyers designed it to "Baetis" nymph, or "olives." I've found it's also a good imitation of the "Ephemerella" nymphs, including the Hendricksons and Sulphurs nymphs. For the "Baetis," tie the nymph in sizes 16 - 20, and for the "Ephemerella," tie it in 14 - 16. If you have a long Pheasant tail, then a size 12 is possible.

  

Materials: Hook: 

Hook: Mustad S80-3906 (https://amzn.to/2K9RWO8)
Thread: X-Small Brown Copper Wire (
https://amzn.to/37NvJ09)

Body: Center Tail from a Cock Pheasant (https://amzn.to/2KOzD15)

Fly Tying Gear:

   Regal Stainless Steel Revolution and Base (https://amzn.to/3gxmQvL)

   Regal Vise Tool Bar Attachment (https://amzn.to/2IxpKEe)

   Cohen's Sculpting Scissors

   Matarelli Whip Finisher (https://amzn.to/370HxNu)

Camera Gear:

   Camera: Panasonic GH4 (https://amzn.to/2ItiCsu)

   Lens: Panasonic 30mm Macro (https://amzn.to/3n0ZZe)

   Ring Light: Neewer 48 Macro LED (https://amzn.to/2VUSfii)

   Fill Light (3): Aputure H198 (https://amzn.to/39V2D1S)

   Battery: Wasabi Power Battery and charger. (https://amzn.to/2VRyo3s)

   Backdrop: Dark Grey & Light Grey (https://amzn.to/33UzUX3)

 

Using affiliate links helps support the channel at no cost to you thanks.

© 2020 Louis DiGena All Rights Reserved.

Thursday, December 17, 2020

Thread Control and Fly Tying Knots Tutorial



Thread Control and Fly Tying Knots

 

Materials:

   Hook:  Tiemco Umpqua TMC 103Bl Fly Tying (https://amzn.to/37obeIu)

   Thread: Danville 6/0 Flymaster Thread Waxed (https://amzn.to/3oWCQug) 

Fly Tying Gear:

   Regal Stainless Steel Revolution and Base (https://amzn.to/3gxmQvL)

   Regal Vise Tool Bar Attachment (https://amzn.to/2IxpKEe)

   Cohen's Sculpting Scissors

   Matarelli Whip Finisher (https://amzn.to/370HxNu)

Camera Gear:

   Camera: Panasonic GH4 (https://amzn.to/2ItiCsu)

   Lens: Panasonic 30mm Macro (https://amzn.to/3n0ZZe)

   Ring Light: Neewer 48 Macro LED (https://amzn.to/2VUSfii)

   Fill Light (3): Aputure H198 (https://amzn.to/39V2D1S)

   Battery: Wasabi Power Battery and charger. (https://amzn.to/2VRyo3s)

   Backdrop: Dark Grey & Light Grey (https://amzn.to/33UzUX3)

 

Using affiliate links helps support the channel at no cost to you thanks.

© 2020 Louis DiGena All Rights Reserved.

 

#loudigena #flytying #flyfishing

Saturday, December 12, 2020

Tiger Baetis Nymph is a simple and effective Baetis (BWO) nymph pattern, which you can use on any stream or river. 
 
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Materials: 
 
Hook: Mustad S80-3906 (https://amzn.to/2K9RWO8)
Thread: UTC 140 Denier Watery Olive (https://amzn.to/3mYYOwj)
Tails: Coq de Leon Fibers (https://amzn.to/3a6UF5V)
Rib: X-Small Brown Copper Wire (https://amzn.to/37NvJ09)
Body: UTC Watery Olive (https://amzn.to/3mYYOwj)
Tiger Stripes: Brown Marker (https://amzn.to/37K2V8Z)
Wing Case: Black Marker (https://amzn.to/39V1s2s)
Coating: Solarez Bone Dry (https://amzn.to/3m3o4jn
 
Fly Tying Gear: 
 
Regal Stainless Steel Revolution and Base (https://amzn.to/3gxmQvL
Regal Vise Tool Bar Attachment (https://amzn.to/2IxpKEe
Cohen's Sculpting Scissors 
Matarelli whip finisher (https://amzn.to/370HxNu) 
 
Camera Gear: Camera: 
 
Panasonic GH4 (https://amzn.to/2ItiCsu
Lens: Panasonic 30mm Macro (https://amzn.to/3n0ZZe
Ring Light: Neewer 48 Macro LED (https://amzn.to/2VUSfii
Fill Light (2): Aputure H198 (https://amzn.to/39V2D1S
Battery: Wasabi Power Battery and charger. (https://amzn.to/2VRyo3s
Backdrop: Dark Grey & Light Grey (https://amzn.to/33UzUX3
 
Using affiliate links helps support the channel at no cost to you thanks. 
 
© 2020 Louis DiGena All Rights Reserved. #loudigena #flytying #flyfishing

Wednesday, December 9, 2020

Tiger Baetis Nymph - A Short preview.

Tiger Baetis

 

Materials:

 

   Hook:  Mustad S80-3906 (https://amzn.to/2K9RWO8)

   Thread: UTC 140 Denier Watery Olive  (https://amzn.to/3mYYOwj)

   Tails:  Coq de Leon Fibers (https://amzn.to/3a6UF5V)

   Rib:  X-Small Brown Copper Wire (https://amzn.to/37NvJ09)

   Body:  UTC Watery Olive (https://amzn.to/3mYYOwj)

   Tiger Stripes: Brown Marker (https://amzn.to/37K2V8Z)

   Wing Case: Black Marker (https://amzn.to/39V1s2s)

   Coating: Solarez Bone Dry (https://amzn.to/3m3o4jn)

 

Fly Tying Gear:

 

   Regal Stainless Steel Revolution and Base (https://amzn.to/3gxmQvL)

   Regal Vise Tool Bar Attachment (https://amzn.to/2IxpKEe)

   Cohen's Sculpting Scissors

   Matarelli whip finisher (https://amzn.to/370HxNu)

Sunday, March 12, 2017

Compton's Cinnamon Toast Baetis Nymph

A while back Kevin Compton owner of Performance Flies and I got together to film him tying up some of the patterns he is best known for and popularizing.  These patterns are staples in the competition scene.  Kevin is always refining these patterns and making them simpler to tie.

At Performance Flies, you will find materials and patterns from the competitive fly fishing scene.  Also, Kevin has Jack Mickievicz's original materials such as Honeybug Cotton Chenille, Jack's original dubbing blends and DuPont Antron yarn.

The Cinnamon Toast Baetis nymph is a BWO (Blue-Winged Olives) nymph.  BWO’s are staples in most if not all rivers.  These nymphs are an important food source for trout because of their high number, and multi-broods.  The fact that many BWO’s are multi-brood means they are available to trout year round.  Baetis are streamlined swimmers, and the nymph pattern should be slender.

Here Kevin ties his Cinnamon Toast Baetis Nymph, which is a deadly BWO nymph.

 

Compton's Cinnamon Toast Baetis Nymph

Materials:

Hook:  Hanak H230BL #14-16
Head:  3/32 Gold Tungsten Bead
Thread: FLY DK 80 Brown
Tails:  Golden Olive Coq de Leon Fibers
Rib:  XFine Copper Wire
Body:  Brown-Olive Condor Substitute
Thorax: Jan Siman Peacock Dubbing, Peacock Bronze

For materials visit http://www.performanceflies.com/
For more fly fishing content visit: http://flyandfin.blogspot.com/

© 2017 Louis DiGena All Rights Reserved.

Wednesday, March 1, 2017

Sawyer’s Killer Bug


Hook:            TMC 2302 or Mustad S80-3906 in  #14-18
                      (Tied here with a 3906

Thread:         Copper wire in size Brassie or Small
                     (Size 16-18 tie better using small wire)

Body:          
Chadwick’s 477 wool substitute


The Sawyer’s Killer Bug is famous in the U.K. and Europe but only recently has this pattern gained a following in the U.S.  This fly is famous for its catching fish and mythological properties of Chadwick’s 477 yarn used in its construction.

I became aware of the Killer Bug through English fly tier and author Oliver Edwards who featured Sawyer’s patterns in his DVD Essential Skills: Search and Sight Fishing released in 2001.

Frank Sawyer was a river keeper on the River Avon at Lake in Wiltshire in the U.K. along with being a writer, and inventor of such flies as the Pheasant Tail Nymph. 

Sawyer’s pattern is simple and effective, using in many cases only two materials.  In the Killer Bug and Pheasant Tail nymph, he used copper wire the thread and weight.  Both patterns are brilliant in their simplicity and effectiveness.

The killer bug was developed by Sawyer’s to manage the grayling numbers on the River Avon.  Back then Grayling were considered vermin, and gentleman would only angle for trout, never grayling.

In alkaline chalk stream, one of the main food sources is freshwater shrimp and the Killer Bug was designed to imitate shrimp and scuds.  Today in the U.S. it’s an effective imitation for larva (crane and caddis), scuds, cress bugs and shrimp.

The originally the Killer Bug was tied Chadwick's 477 darning wool and reddish brown copper wire.  For some, the original Chadwick's 477 wool has mythical fish-catching properties with lengths of the wool selling for hundreds of dollars.  Production of Chadwick’s wool ceased in 1965, which only added to its value.

The Killer Bug was named by Sawyer's friend Lee Wulff, but its popularity never quite took in the U.S.

By the time I found out about the “Bug” there was no wool to purchase.  I was on a mission find a suitable substitute.

Veniard’s sells their version wool (Veniard 477) but without a sample of the genuine article, it was nearly impossible to know if it was a good match.

My first substitute took the form of a cutting up an old rag wool sweater that now too small, which worked well.   Next, I found some old craft yarn “Fun with Fibers” that had a viable candidate but was as rare as the Chadwick’s.  Then I started to use Patons Classic Wool Natural Mix (00229), which I found at Michael’s.  Then I struck gold, one blogger from the U.K. sent me a yard of Chadwick’s 477, now I had the yarn to use as a reference.

Many other bloggers and friends pointed me in the direction of finding a suitable substitute. Chris Swart (TenkaraBum), Juan Ramirez (The Hopper Juan), and Jason Klass (Tenkara Talk).

The link below is great reference page on the different yarns and how they look wet and dry.


Here is a list of yarns you can use to tie your killer bug.

Jamieson's Shetland Spindrift: Oyster (Color #290)
Patons Classic Wool Yarn (00229) Natural Mix
Regia Darning Yarn: Light Camel Marl
Veniard Chadwick Wool - 477 (Killer Bug Yarn)

Places to purchase these yarns and your local craft or yarn shop.


Good luck and tie some Killer Bugs for your next fishing adventure.

Lou DiGena
Fly and Fin
© 2017 Louis DiGena All Rights Reserved.