Sitting on a large freestone boulder I looked out over the pool in front of me and worked my left hand in hopes of a bit of control returning to it. The tremor was worse today, and although it wasn't keeping me off the water, it was certainly hampering me in my efforts. I needed to tie on a #18 Blue-winged Olive emerger, and the effort had become fruitless after about 15 minutes of frustrating attempts. SO, rather than ruin my entire morning in a rage of stubbornness that I was obviously born predisposed to, I chose instead to take a seat.

I went back to the same pond that I fished a short time ago. I rarely do this, but wanted to see if the fish were hitting on the drop again. I had tied up some patterns using heavier brass beads that I had on hand. I was curious to see if this would make them work better than letting the lightly weighted flies drop. The only test is on the water.

On my fishing trips across the county I can't help but develop a special fondness for certain rivers, and they aren't always the rivers that produce the most fish. Sometimes it's just a special feeling I get a oneness with the beauty, the quiet solitude, or the challenge of the fly and the fish. Some rivers just naturally draw me back, if not in person, than in dreams and desires. Some of my favorites are the Big Hole, the Au Sable, the Mad, the Mohawk and the Beaverkill.

When I started seriously fly fishing spring was mayfly time, with the Hendrickson hatch being the first real hatch of the season. In fact, caddis flies never even registered on my fly fishing radar screen on the rivers that I fished in the Michigan. We were aware of caddis flies but they were never the main attraction. We used large Griffith Gnat type patterns to imitate the fluttering, egg laying caddis and occasionally we used a down-winged pattern, but caddis hatches were never high on our list. All that changed when I moved to Montana

Over the years I have written about a lot of different topics concerning the various methods of fly fishing and/or fly tying for a variety of different species. Seldom are the ideas on which I expound truly original or unique. Many of the ideas come from reading the older books of anglers of yesteryear, or perhaps the idea was planted after scanning an article in a magazine; or maybe it took root when I was exchanging information with another angler at the side of the river or across the deck of a boat.

As a young boy I hunted many rabbits and squirrels. Although I do not hunt any more I still occasionally walk the woods with a camera. Some of my fondest memories are those of surprising 'mom' with two or three rabbits for dinner. Every so often a friend will bring me a couple of rabbits. I don't know where this recipe came from but I've been using it for over 50 years.

It actually gave me some fits when I tried to conjure up the title for this series. What had been in my thought were: trout acting strangely (strange behavior of trout) when rare hatches of peculiar insects occur; but also they can act strangely during the hatch of expected/known insects; in either case it's THE Special flies, developed for special situation that become the solution. Then what's new and peculiar in the world's first and foremost fly-fishing destination, Yellowstone Country? The area has been fished and studied for many years, hasn't it?

This volume is a spiral bound hardcover which easily stands open on the tying bench and is full of patterns and tying tips from some of the finest fly tiers around the world.