What are you trying that’s new and different at the vise lately? New materials? New patterns? Different styles? Let’s hear it!
Well, I am going to see if pintail CDC is any different than mallard CDC. Does that count?
Otherwise, I keep tying these same tired old flies, that keep catching fish.
After my nap.
DG
Just picked up some Montana Fly Company “Widow’s Web”, which is a polypro yarn, to experiment with for furled extended bodies. Comes in a bunch of neat colors, and you get a pretty good hunk of material for the price.
It does seem finer and lighter than the antron yarns I have been using, but when furled it doesn’t seem to ride any higher or provide more floatation than antron on the hopper / stonefly pattern I’ve been playing with. I think it might prove better than antron for furled extended bodies on smaller, higher riding dry flies. Probably won’t be experimenting with that style of fly for a couple months, or more.
Also, I haven’t tried it yet, but it might be good for homebrew indicators, or as the parasol on a parasol emerger. Probably will be experimenting for those uses on the fairly short term.
John
I found some very thin (probably >1mm) white packing foam in some of the containers at work. Been experimenting with different flies to see what I can do with it. So far, I have used it on some crayfish patterns (to make them keep their “claws” up), and on some emerger patterns.
Mike 
Haven’t done it yet, but plan to tie some with the CDC “oiler puffs” as posts for parachutes and indicators on non-parachutes. I think you tie them in upside down and they really float well.
I have been trying to tie some of the classic salmon flies. Just about everything is different than what I have used in the past including techniques. I really enjoy it but am not sure I will be able to afford it even using subs. It’s almost like starting over material wise.
Switching to calf body hair instead of calf tail hair for Wulff style wings. So far, I’m liking it. Definitely not the “curly” stuff to deal with 
John
I’ve been messing with variations of the Clouser deep minnow lately in preparation for the white bass run. Trying out circle hooks and rabbit strips for a “bunny Clouser” that Bluegill222 showed me. I’ve tied the standard chartreuse/white, all black with UV flash, all black with glow in the dark flash and body, and will try all yellow or yellow/white yet too.
I tied a few of the same pattern using calftail and pine squirrel on a size 10 circle hook and can’t wait to try them on green sunfish! Yellow calftail/olive pine squirrel… Should be killer. Just picked up orange and chartreuse pine squirrel this afternoon for other options.
Tying for a March saltwater trip. I’ve never tied with Mylar body braid before, which I’m using for Pompano Rockets. I also bought Craft Fur for the first time and am tying some Clousers and Merkins with it. I’ve never caught anything in the saltwater, but I do like tying for it.
Here you go!
Mark
Still working on building the ultimate bluegill fly. It has been an on going project of mine. Quivira kid as soon as the water starts to warm we are going to have to get together and try them out, maybe this time the wind will lay down so we can fish a few other spots.
CDC is CDC. I have used teal, widgeon, mallard, spoonie, specklebelly goose, honker, etc, etc. and they all work the same. colors seem to be a nice dun color too. Let me know if you ever try to dye them…I am interested in that as well.
Steve,
I will be up there mid-May for my bro-in-law’s graduation. I’ll let ya know when we get details nailed down, but it’s lookin like an overnight weekend trip.
Next up: bead chain hares ears!
Found a pattern called a “Cole Bugger”. I modified it so that I could use what materials I had on hand. Think it should do for both warm water & trout.
Hook:#8 w/10 wraps .020 lead free wire, Tail: Marabou, krystal flash & one saddle hackle, Body: 4 or 5 stands peacock Hurl. Hackle: Olive saddle. Thread: Black 6/0.
Tim
Like the looks of the cole bugger, I will have to give it a try myself!!
Turvy: Thanks.
The orginal recipe called for a longer shanked hook & soft hackle instead of Rooster saddle.
Tim
Here is my new and different… at least for me it is.
Articulated streamers:
Beadhead nymphs:
I also have some other flies I have been playing with but I need to find the pictures.
Here are the others I have been messing with:
The tail material is something I picked up from a fabric shop when I was there with my wife. I caught some LM bass last summer on a woolly bugger style fly using the tail material but I didn’t have the flash at the end. The ones below should stay close to the surface and have the flash tails.
I recently bought some stuff to tie tube flies. Warm water tube flies specifically. I like both tying them and the advantages of tubes in general. Been concentrating on minnow type patterns that should work well for spring runs/spawning of everything. After the frenzy is over I plan on giving the smallies a shot at them this year also.
Here is a foam size 18 black stonefly adult.
