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of times on a single hook, but you will likely have it down after 10 minutes of practice. When you have mastered it, cut the thread from the hook and reuse the hook for your first fly. Flies to Tie The woolly bugger is perhaps the most versatile fly ever invented. It imitates nothing specifically, but can resemble large nymphs, baitfish, leeches, crayfish, worms, or anything else that might interest a fish. Simply put, the woolly bugger looks like a meal to a fish, and because of this, it can catch anything swimming in your local water. I have personally caught bluegill, crappie, bass, trout, pike, catfish and even carp on a woolly bugger. Woolly buggers can be tied in any size or color you choose, but my personal favorite is black because of the distinct silhouette it gives in the water. White, chartreuse and yellow are also very effective colors. Many regard the Clouser minnow as the best baitfish imitation ever created, and it is one of the only flies that rivals the woolly bugger in versatility. The fly's flat, narrow profile gives it an erratic dip and dart action as it moves through the water. Furthermore, the location of the dumbbell eyes on top of the hook shank makes it ride hook point up, avoiding snags as it comes through cover or is jigged along the bottom. Like the woolly bugger, the Clouser minnow can be tied in any combination of colors and sizes to imitate specific baitfish. However, it is most productive when tied sparsely. Variations sold at retailers often have too much bucktail, limiting the action of the fly. Keeping the fly sparse improves the action, makes it easier to cast and gives it a translucent effect just like a real baitfish. Generally, the top of the fly, or the part that rides facing down, is tied in white, but there are no hard rules in fly-tying. Feel free to experiment until you discover what works best. Once you have learned these two flies, you will have developed a set of skills that are applicable to thousands of other fly patterns. In the past, fly tyers relied on learning new patterns and techniques from other anglers or by carefully studying books and manuals. Thankfully, modern tyers have a wealth of resources at their fingertips. A quick internet search will yield thousands of videos, articles, and blogs about fly-tying. Due to this flood of information, fly tyers are pushing the boundaries of what was once thought possible. From flies that imitate the smallest insect life, to 18-inch streamers that target large predatory fish, fly tyers are revolutionizing the world of fly-fishing. There is something magical about catching a fish on a fly you tied yourself. Moreover, there is something fulfilling about linking your hunting and fishing by using items like deer hair and pheasant feathers to catch fish. Fly-tying is an endless cycle of invention, testing and tweaking. Some flies are an instant success, while others take years of honing before they achieve the desired result. Transforming a pile of feathers and fur into something lifelike requires an understanding of the water you are fishing, the species of fish you are pursuing and the process of creating a successful fly. From a small minnow to a top-water frog, fly tyers can imitate anything in a fish's diet. The only limitation is your imagination. ■ A combination of natural and synthetic materials, this fly will catch anything from aggressive brown trout to largemouth bass. Opposite: Tying flies allows you to imitate anything a fish might eat. The hard part is figuring out what the fish (trout in this case) are feeding on. Transforming a pile of feathers and fur into something lifelike requires an understanding of the water you are fishing, the species of fish you are pursuing and the process of creating a successful fly. 48 NEBRASKAland • OCTOBER 2017