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One thing I like about rolling my own is that I am able to customize a pattern the way I want. I did these Borski sliders in a few different color patterns, colors in combinations that have worked in other saltwater patterns I tie.

I’m out of the hooks, the Gamakatsu SL 45 bonefish, or would have done more combinations. It’s amazing how strong that hook is for a light wire hook and I really like the black finish.

For me, the fly tying recipes are just a starting point. I think it’s pretty tough to find good saltwater patterns from the big retailers. So many use hook point down ties which are pretty useless, at least in my experience where I fish. If you find something you like, it’s the wrong size or not available in a color that’s appropriate. Or the commercial ties are on hooks that aren’t great, or the size and shape you want.

I think a Borski slider could be a goby, a blenny, a killifish, a shrimp, a small crab. I think that’s where color comes into play. Some day, color does seem to matter at least that’s what I’ve seen with other saltwater (and freshwater) patterns.


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Nice ties!

Darn good ties. I also believe that down tied flies are not the way to go in our shallow, grass and shell bottomed redfish waters.

Great sliders, Karst! The pink ones looks extra tasty. Here are some #14 variation of Harrison Steeves’s firefly. Should tempt sunfish, bass, and maybe some trout up north.



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What you do when waiting for your deer hair dye job to dry.

Roger, I have tied a number of these "Salmon" flies for fun. I purchased a dozen wooden picture frames at 'Michaels' and placed the flies in the frames, behind glass, and with a black background. Makes an excellent gift item to your sportsman friends....,or anyone else.

Yeah KK, I do it for fun too. Would like to keep some but with the cost of the hooks now going for 5 to 25 bucks each I'm starting to put the razor blade to them so I can use the hooks over again. Besides that there's not a single one that I tie that can't be vastly improved upon.

More mice! Mr. Hankey and Morrish variety.



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Like the staging with the trap.

Question, ever throw those for LMB? They look like they have all the right ingredients to catch em.

I gots me a plan to do just that. With the summer sun making an entrance, I’ll be switching over to morning and evening bass hunting , and these guys will be earning their cheese.


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More flies for Baetis-crazed trout. Both patterns in #18.




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CJ-- Don't forget Spinney on your way north. Got this brown and a dozen more last week.

Nice, flydoc! Not Colorado this time around. The beehive state for me. But I’ll be doing some lake fishing there.


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Final couple of flies before I take off for some northern parts. Hoping to tempt some big brown trout.



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Cuervo, top water rat or mouse flies on a moon lit night. Giant browns.....,really big. Will make you cry with excitement.

Is that one of those Galloup style streamers? One of the ones with a PG-13 name?

I haven’t dived into articulated ties mainly because they look so intimidating to tie...and cast. Some appear to be a series of woolly buggers or muddler minnows hard wired together. I need to buy a few good ones just to get a sense of what they are supposed to be like. It’s one thing to see photos or recipes, but I feel like some patterns must be held and cast to get a sense of what they are really like.

[quote="karstopo"

I haven’t dived into articulated ties mainly because they look so intimidating to tie...and cast. Some appear to be a series of woolly buggers or muddler minnows hard wired together. I need to buy a few good ones just to get a sense of what they are supposed to be like. It’s one thing to see photos or recipes, but I feel like some patterns must be held and cast to get a sense of what they are really like.[/quote]

Karst, Like you said, it's just a couple of flies that you join together. It's really nothing different than a single fly. The best part, They work!

Had to make eyes before tying some shrimp. Do all you get looks while looking at fingernail polish at Walmart or where ever?

A truly weedless diver. Tied on a TMC 9395 bend back so it rides hook point up.

Piscator wrote:Had to make eyes before tying some shrimp. Do all you get looks while looking at fingernail polish at Walmart or where ever?

I always find myself explaining it to the cashier, "I make fish flies, you know, fish lures..."
Sometimes I do jack with them, and ask them if the colors are good for me.

Some more #18 beadhead, flashback pheasant tails for future trout-chasing adventures.



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I learned to tie 28's when I was fishing the San Juan now and then. The Santa Fe relative I was visiting and fishing with has since moved to California. I don't plan to fish the area again as I always found it a bit too touristy.

I was never big on drift fishing for trout so I really have no need to tie more tiny weeny flies. Yet, I do enjoy tying them. So,, Curevo, if you ever need any, and don't feel like tying them, just give me a heads up and I'll tie some for you.

Not to worry about my eyesight, as I'm set up with magnifying lens to tie them. I've been insane for years, so that's no problem either.

I tied #4 craft for minnows
https://youtu.be/HIjZzhDT2Hk

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That’s mighty kind of you Kayak Kid! I’ll give a shout if I find myself needing any micro-flies! The problem is have is actually tying them onto the tippet!


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Just about restocked for next week’s trip back to Oo-tah.



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