November is almost here. The days are getting shorter, the mountains are topped with snow, and more often than not the mornings are rather frosty here in town. Hell, it even snowed in Bozeman yesterday. Just flurries, but still it was enough to get folks talking in the shop. Winter is coming.
There is still a lot of fishing to be had before winter really sets in, and general hunting season just opened up last weekend. There’s always lots of reasons to be outside this time of year. But we’re getting to that point of the year where you could potentially wake up to a foot of snow on the ground.
For many, winter means ski season. For others it is a time to lay low, hunker down and binge watch Netflix. For fly fishermen, it is tying season.
If you’re like me, you make a list (even a mental list works) throughout the year of all the patterns you would like to fill your box with. You dream of diligently sitting down at your vise every night and tying at least a dozen flies every night. That way you can get through everything you want to.
Pffft.
For me at least, it never quite works out that way. I start the season full of motivation, but that seems to fade as the winter wears on. This year is going to be different though. I’ve got a pile of new materials to try, a long list of flies I need, and a dedicated area to tie in. It’s not a bad setup.
To kick things off, here are a couple modified Hoh Bo Speys I tied for swinging on the Spey. I’ve currently got a pile of them in all kinds of different color combos. Now to just put them to the test…
Who else has been tying lately?
