How to Fish Chironomids Like a Pro: Zach’s Guide to Stillwater Strategy
Articles, Fly Tying Trent Jones Articles, Fly Tying Trent Jones

How to Fish Chironomids Like a Pro: Zach’s Guide to Stillwater Strategy

We caught up with Zach, better known online for his razor-sharp stillwater patterns and deep knowledge of lake entomology, during a stretch of calm mornings and hungry rainbows out in Kelowna, B.C. As someone who’s spent more than a few dawns watching chironomids rise and rods bend, I was stoked to sit down with a fellow lake junkie who lives and breathes fly tying. Zach broke down his process, shared his go-to tactics for consistent success on stillwaters, and offered a few tips every new fly tier should hear. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your lake game, there’s a lot to learn from this one.

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How to Tie Realistic Mayfly Wally Wings: Step-by-Step Guide
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How to Tie Realistic Mayfly Wally Wings: Step-by-Step Guide

Create ultra-realistic mayfly wings using the classic Wally Wing technique, perfect for lifelike fly patterns that improve your fishing success. This Wally Wing technique offers realistic mayfly wings with a simple process, though note it can cause slight tippet twist on long, fast casts. Ideal for slow-action rods and short casts, it’s a must-try for fly tiers aiming for lifelike mayfly imitations.

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Inside Fly Tying Europe: How a Scandinavian Passion Sparked a Continental Movement
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Inside Fly Tying Europe: How a Scandinavian Passion Sparked a Continental Movement

Every now and then, you meet folks in this world who are so dialed into the craft, it feels less like a hobby and more like a calling. That’s exactly what we found when we caught up with the crew behind Fly Tying Europe. These are the kinds of people who grew up around vise and feather, shaped by generations of passion and purpose. What started as a family tradition in a small Scandinavian home has grown into a continental force for creativity, community, and catching fish on your own ties. We sat down with one of the founders to talk shop, dig into their story, and hear why European fly tying is thriving like never before.

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Parachute Foam Ant: Step-by-Step Fly Tying Guide
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Parachute Foam Ant: Step-by-Step Fly Tying Guide

This step-by-step guide will walk you through how to tie a Parachute Foam Ant pattern, perfect for adding variety to your ant fly collection. Inspired by a fly purchased in Colorado, this pattern features a foam body and a parachute post for great visibility on the water.

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Inside the Mind of Utrera Fly Tying: Lucas Utrera on Art, Innovation, and the Perfect Dry Fly
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Inside the Mind of Utrera Fly Tying: Lucas Utrera on Art, Innovation, and the Perfect Dry Fly

We caught up with Lucas Utrera, the mind and hands behind Utrera Fly Tying, during a quiet afternoon after the hatch had settled. Over the years, Lucas has carved out a name for himself in the fly tying world—where art meets angling. As someone who’s walked miles of riverbank in search of that perfect drift, I was drawn to Lucas' thoughtful approach to tying and his deep respect for the craft’s tradition. In our chat, he opened up about how a childhood spark turned into a lifelong pursuit of artistry, precision, and innovation at the vise.

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How to Tie a Zug Bug Nymph Fly Pattern
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How to Tie a Zug Bug Nymph Fly Pattern

The Zug Bug is a classic nymph pattern that features peacock curl as the primary material, giving it a unique, lifelike appeal in the water. Perfect for both beginners and experienced fly tiers, this pattern is versatile and effective. Follow these steps to create your own Zug Bug nymph fly!

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From Coast to Craft: How This B.C. Fly Tyer Designs Patterns That Catch Everything
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From Coast to Craft: How This B.C. Fly Tyer Designs Patterns That Catch Everything

We caught up with Conor, a fishy character out of Victoria, B.C., whose passion for fly design runs as deep as the waters he fishes. From chasing coho on the Sunshine Coast as a kid to crafting lifelike baitfish patterns inspired by Baja’s big blue, Conor’s story is one of salt, sand, and serious creativity at the vise. Whether you’re a seasoned fly slinger or just getting into tying, his perspective on building better flies and understanding forage species is one you won’t want to miss.

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