Welcome to the J. Stockard Fly Fishing Blog. We’re here to share advice, how-to’s, news and inspiration about fly tying and fly fishing.

Cycles of the Stream: Late Summer Trout

Guest Blogger: Michael Vorhis, author of ARCHANGEL suspense thriller, OPEN DISTANCE adventure thriller & more to come

It’s August 27th as I type this…but it could just as easily be September 14th…or July 10th. It’s a hot day, and as I gather my fly gear and consider the fly I’ll tie on first, I’m tempted to say, “This is still the middle of summer. It’s hot. I need sunscreen, I need an ice-cold water bottle…summertime.”

Ahhh, but it’s not, and the trout know it. Days are detectably shorter, nights are longer. Water levels have consistently dropped and water temperature has already begun to do the same. The bugs know it too, and their autumn behavior has already kicked in. Nymphs and terrestrials are far larger than they were six weeks ago, and hatches are of the late season variety. Browns get ready for their big square dance, and in anadromous water, finned behemoths return from the sea. Shadows lengthen; even the sun’s declination is lower in the sky.

The telltale signs of “end of days” are evident to anyone and anything that cares…and trout care very much. more…

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Semperfli – Always Faithful, Always Fly

Guest Blogger: Ann Kitchener, CEO, SemperFli, Semperfli.us, #semperfli

Focussed on the creation of the world’s best fly tying materials, Semperfli is possibly the world’s fastest growing tying materials company! Based in Yorkshire England, a region long associated with fly tying and fly fishing, there are four cornerstones that matter to our rapidly growing family run company: Innovation, Passion, Customer Service and Quality.

Innovative materials like the world’s strongest GSP for diameter Nano Silk and Classic Waxed Threads – the result of three year research and development effort to create a thread that lays flat, providing more grip and strength with just the right levels of wax for fly tying.

Semperfli never sits still and constantly innovates, bringing out new materials each year, each one designed to make the Tyers work more interesting, creative or easier! more…

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Fly of the Month – Bailes Modern Muddler

Fly of the Month by J. Stockard Pro Tyer: Brandon Bailes, Athens, AL. Brandon’s passion is exploring and fishing small streams. Find Brandon on Instagram.

This fly is one I’ve been using on smallmouth and trout in smaller water. The bend in the hook and head profile creates an erratic swimming action that attracts fish in all water conditions. Although the fly really shines when you are fishing low or smaller waters where fish can spook easy, as this fly lands softly but has a lot of movement once it gets subsurface unlike many small streamers that are just profile-oriented and don’t have as much swimming action.

Materials
Hook- Ahrex TP650 size 2
Thread- UTC 140 for the body and Veevus GSP 200D for the collar/head
Tail- Peacock Sword
Body- Flashabou, coated with Raid Zap UV Thin
Wing Support- Bucktail
Over Wing- Peacock Sword
Head- Deer Belly Hair, coated with RaidZap UV Thin more…

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