WFS 059 – Tying and Fishing Small Flies with Ed Engle – Midges, BWO’s, John Gierach, Frying Pan River
Grab all of the Show Notes Links: wetflyswing.com/59
I sat down with Ed Engle to chat about fishing small flies on tailwaters throughout the year. We talk about euro nymphing, weighted flies, fishing in Colorado and his experience going to Woodstock.
Ed shares his tips on presenting the fly, the casts you need to know for dry flies, how to avoid spooking fish and why blue is a great color for winter fishing. Ed Engle brings 20 years guiding, a perspective on Woodstock and how a 1 weight rod actually has a use for small flies and large trout.
Show Sponsors
The Portland Fly Shop:
The Grey Drake:
Show Notes with Ed Engle
(Get the links with updated time here: wetflyswing.com/59)
John Gierach was on the podcast in episode 47 and is one of Ed’s close friends and fly fishing buddies.
Andy Baird is an expert on tying tiny flies, those 26 and smaller. Here is a link to an article he wrote online.
The Pheasant tail is the best fly to imitate the swimming blue wing olive nymph.
The Suskwa Poacher fly pattern I noted that has some kingfisher blue in it.
Hank Patterson was on the show in episode 58 where he talked about nymph fishing. He is the self proclaimed greatest fly fishing guide in the world.
The Book Seasonal covered Ed’s life working for the Forest Service and has a cult following now as it’s out of print.
Rick Takahashi wrote Modern Midges: Tying and Fishing the World’s most effective patterns.
Andy Baird – Small Fly Funk is a great website and resource for small flies.
Darryl Martin wrote the book Micro Patterns.
Fly Fishing the Tailwaters is the first book that talked exclusively about fishing tailwaters.
Ak Best had a big influence on Ed’s fly fishing life. Here’s AK tying one of his patterns.
Steve Duda was on to talk about the Fly Fish Journal in episode 38.
The Lara Bar is Ed’s goto snack while on the river.
Ed made it to Woodstock and watched Jimi Hendrix and the other amazing artists. He noted that it was the end of an era and the beginning of something new. Here’s a link to Jimi playing the Star Spangled banner on the guitar.
Crosby Stills, Nash and Young and the Grateful Dead were two of Ed’s other favorites at the show.
You can reach Ed at EdEngleflyfishing.com.
Resources Noted in this Episode (click here for the full Resources Page):
Seasonal by Ed Engle
Modern Midges by Rick Takahashi
Micro Patterns by Darrel Martin
(Click here to view the full Resources page for the Podcast):
Conclusion with Ed Engle
We touched on Woodstock, blue colored flies, his Forest Service background and a bunch of tips on fishing and tying small flies. Ed has been a mentor to many in fly fishing especially in the Colorado area and around topics on tailwaters. Thanks again Ed!
Grab all of the Show Notes Links: wetflyswing.com/59
