WFS 317 – Fly Tying Patterns for Stillwater with Brandon Molzahn – Togens Fly Shop

Show Notes: wetflyswing.com/317

Presented By: Togens Fly Shop

Sponsors: wetflyswing.com/sponsors

Brandon Molzahn is here to knock this one out of the stillwater park. We go deep into stillwater tactics, get his top fly tying patterns for stillwater, and find out which tools for tying he loves. We explore British Columbia fly fishing a little more – find out how Brandon prepares for a new lake, what he looks for to get dialed in a certain spot, and his go-to flies to match the hatch. Brandon also talks about his experience with Togens Fly Shop the first time he made a purchase and how he got into the Togens Pro Team.

We get a little insight into his dream home purchase he recently made that got me fired up. Plus, we hear Brandon play the Banjo and get a bit of a country music feel. You’re going to love this one!

Show Notes with Brandon Molzahn

04:05 – Brandon lives in Vernon, an hour and 15 mins Southeast of Kamloops – he was born in Kelowna, CA.

06:00 – Brian Chan was on the podcast at WFS 243 where we covered Kamloops fishing – Phil Rowley has been on the podcast a number of times

06:50 – About 200 lakes are within a 2-hour drive of Brandon that he’s yet to fish

07:30 – Brandon plans to venture over into New Zealand

08:15 – Where Brandon lives, they have lower elevation ice off that hits around mid-April – then in early May to mid-May, it’s Chironomid heaven around there

10:00 – Brandon tells us how he prepares for a new lake and what he looks for to match the hatch and get dialed in

13:00 – The Ruby Eyed Leech by Brian Chan is one of Brandon’s go-to patterns – watch Brandon tie that pattern below

16:25 – Watch a video below to learn the Hand-Twist Retrieve below

18:35 – Brandon’s got a 14ft Princecraft Yukon Boat

20:30 – Brandon uses a Scientific Angler Camo Line

22:09 – Brandon talks about the first time he reached out to Togens Fly Shop and how he got into the Togens pro team

28:40 – Brandon’s been tying some Wally Wing Mayfly Spinner patterns

30:50 – With the chironomids, a super effective pattern to start the early season is Bloodworm

36:39 – BC Fisheries Stocking Report is where you can search any bodies of water that the BC is going to supply

40:00 – Brandon’s Damselfly Nymphs

43:00 – Brandon talks about fishing Scuds

45:10 – Brandon follows and recommends some channels on YouTube – Sport Fishing on a Fly, BC Fly Guys, and Brian Chan videos

59:05 – Brandon plays the Banjo! Super awesome

1:03:05 – Brandon learned to play the Banjo from Jim Pankey and Banjo Ben Clerk on YouTube

1:09:45 – Brandon talks about the acreage they bought recently and it’s pretty sweet what they have going there

Fly Tying Patterns Conclusion with Brandon Molzahn

Brandon Molzahn and I talked about fly fishing in British Columbia. We found out how Brandon prepares for a stillwater trip, the insect activity he looks for, and how he matches the hatch with his fly patterns. We got deep into his stillwater tactics, got his top fly tying patterns for stillwater, and found out the tools he uses for fly tying. Brandon talked about their new home in BC and how his family is loving it. We heard Brandon play the Banjo which is pretty sweet! This is probably my new favorite episode.

Show Notes: wetflyswing.com/317