Firelands flyfishers

10/01/2026

FLY OF THE MONTH-The Simple Nymph

List of Materials:
Hook - Wet Nymph hook. Size 10-16. 2X-heavy, 3X-long. Shown on a size #12, Mustad # 9671.
Weight - Gold bead. Size 3.2mm. (1/8"). Adjust the size to match the hook.
Thread - Uni-Thread. 8/0. Tan.
Tail and Body - Marabou feather. Olive/Brown.

This pattern will be full of motion with the marabou tail. The body will also have motion as gills on a nymph.
This is a very quick and simple tie. This pattern only takes a few minutes to tie as is. You can add a spiral wrap of wire to the body if desired. In addition, you could add a Speckled Brown Hen Saddle Feather to the throat as a soft hackle. Tom Zmina

09/01/2026

Fly of the Month. "Bead Head Nymph"

List of Materials:
Hook - 2X long Nymph hook. Size 14 to 18. Sample tied on a Mustad , size 16.
Bead - Size 2.8mm. (7/64). Color-Black.
Thread - Danville's Flat Waxed Nylon. Size 210 Denier.
Wire - UTC Ultra Wire. Size - Small. Color - Red.

This is a pattern that was very successful as a dropper below a dry fly indicator at Rockwell Springs Trout Club. Occasionally the dry fly indicator fly would get a hit but this dropper did produce continuous results. I am sure that it would be successful in other trout streams. I am confident that this pattern would also work for bluegill. Tom Zmina

07/05/2026

Tom Zmina-The "Creepy Crawler" is a pattern that I learned from fishing guide Jeff Liskay. It is a fly that is proven to take Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Freshwater Drum, Walleye, Catfish and Whitebass. I am confident that this pattern would take Carp and also salt water species like Redfish and Black Drum.

List of Materials:
Hook - Gamakatsu B10S Size 1,2 or 4. I used a Mustad #4707. Extra Strong. Size #2.
Thread - UTC 140 denier. Red.
Weight - Medium size Lead Dumbbell Eyes. Red.
Tail - Olive Brown Marabou. Substitute Synthetic Craft Fur.
Tail - Olive Green Rubber Sparkle Legs.
Body - Brown Variegated Chenille.
Forward Wing - Olive Schlappen Feather.
Forward Wing - Burgundy Color Rubber Sparkle Legs.
Forward Wing - Olive Green Marabou Feather.

06/01/2026

Fly of the Month-Tom Zmina
List of Materials:
Hook - Gamakatsu B10S, Size 2. I used a comparable Mustad hook.
Thread - White Veevus, Size 6/0.
Lower Wing - Natural Belly, Deadly Dazzle.
Lateral Line - Midnight Blitz, Steve Farrar's Flash Blend.
Flash - Opal Flashabou Mirage.
Wing - Light Purple, Steve Farrar's Flash Blend.
Eyes - 0.25- in. 3-D holographic eyes.
Head - Clear Cure Goo, Thick.
The author recommends to fish this pattern around shallow rock piles in lakes that hold smallmouth bass. Retrieve in a series of short quick strips in warmer water. In colder weather, add a protracted pause between a few short strips. The author recommends a sink tip line or sinking leader, but use a longer than normal leader to allow the fly to hover in place. Use this pattern on trout and salmon also.

05/26/2026

Guys trip to Colorado

05/02/2026