Beautiful. I grew up in the tri state area of Orange County, NY fly fishing the Delaware, Neversink, Mongaup and Lackawaxen Rivers. The Hendrickson hatch always begins around the third week in April and lasts as late as the last week of May. The hatches around 3pm are huge at times and you’ll find scores of targets on the water. I was very blessed to have had my grandfather figure taught me everything I know about tying Catskill style dry flies when I was a kid. He passed all of his materials on to me when he passed back in 2007. Hoffman signature saddle and neck hackles, gallon sized ziplock bags full of woodduck flank feathers (with a $1.99 price tag on each bag!). It’s tough to find woodduck flank nowadays and if you do, you’re paying an enormous amount of money for them. For Hendrickson dubbing I’ve always used the pink stained fur of the female red vixen fox and I blend a little bit of grey and tan fox fur to make the classic Hendrickson pink dubbing. I tie my Hendrickson emerger and use snowshoe for the wing and some Z-Lon for a trailing shuck. I’ve found this emerger pattern to be especially good when fish are feeding in flatter water.
Absolutely beautiful. Kinda crazy that 45 years after I took up fly tying, I just now learned how to do those wings. Living out west, I just rarely ever tied catskill-style dries. The few times I did, the wings looked pretty shoddy. Thanks!
Rather than one particular pattern, Catskill generally refers to a style of tying dry flies that dates back a couple hundred years. The style comes from the Catskill Mountains region of lower New York state which many consider to be the birthplace of North American fly fishing.
We were so enamored with the Hendrickson hatch on Kettle Creek, Potter county, PA. we produced a movie narrative for our fly tying club at Butler County Community College back in 1976. All the principle players are dead now, except for me.
Hi Folks - The narration indicates that I used Australian Opossum for the dubbing. I actually used my own blend of rabbit - 1 part gray, 1 part tan, and 1 part pink. Matt
May I ask if Coq de Leon might be an acceptable alternative for the tailing on Catskill dries? I love the barring and they seem adequately stiff for the job. Thanks so much.. this video in addition to Mr. Valla’s book are a great primer.
Matthew Horvitz I guess you can, but the wood duck, because the fibers are a good bit stiffer makes for more robust wings. Hungarian Partridge is really much better suited to soft hackle collars.
Beautiful fly. The music to me is lame and unnecessary...like at the gas station. These Catskill flies have worked for me so well for 30 years all over Pennsylvania and beyond.
Beautiful. I grew up in the tri state area of Orange County, NY fly fishing the Delaware, Neversink, Mongaup and Lackawaxen Rivers. The Hendrickson hatch always begins around the third week in April and lasts as late as the last week of May. The hatches around 3pm are huge at times and you’ll find scores of targets on the water. I was very blessed to have had my grandfather figure taught me everything I know about tying Catskill style dry flies when I was a kid. He passed all of his materials on to me when he passed back in 2007. Hoffman signature saddle and neck hackles, gallon sized ziplock bags full of woodduck flank feathers (with a $1.99 price tag on each bag!). It’s tough to find woodduck flank nowadays and if you do, you’re paying an enormous amount of money for them. For Hendrickson dubbing I’ve always used the pink stained fur of the female red vixen fox and I blend a little bit of grey and tan fox fur to make the classic Hendrickson pink dubbing. I tie my Hendrickson emerger and use snowshoe for the wing and some Z-Lon for a trailing shuck. I’ve found this emerger pattern to be especially good when fish are feeding in flatter water.
Absolutely beautiful. Kinda crazy that 45 years after I took up fly tying, I just now learned how to do those wings. Living out west, I just rarely ever tied catskill-style dries. The few times I did, the wings looked pretty shoddy. Thanks!
Rather than one particular pattern, Catskill generally refers to a style of tying dry flies that dates back a couple hundred years. The style comes from the Catskill Mountains region of lower New York state which many consider to be the birthplace of North American fly fishing.
Great videos. Music is a nice touch for me. Also the small snippets of the bugs which are in some videos. Quite nice.
excellent tying. 😀😀😀😀
We were so enamored with the Hendrickson hatch on Kettle Creek, Potter county, PA. we produced a movie narrative for our fly tying club at Butler County Community College back in 1976. All the principle players are dead now, except for me.
Hi Folks - The narration indicates that I used Australian Opossum for the dubbing. I actually used my own blend of rabbit - 1 part gray, 1 part tan, and 1 part pink. Matt
Sounds A bit like a “tups ” blend sans urine stains?
The background music is a nice touch, I think.
May I ask if Coq de Leon might be an acceptable alternative for the tailing on Catskill dries? I love the barring and they seem adequately stiff for the job. Thanks so much.. this video in addition to Mr. Valla’s book are a great primer.
Thanks for having music that isn't irritating, and cool video. Equipment question - who makes your bobbin?
Rite Bobbin
Sweet. Many Thanks!
👍🏻👍🏻
Great video. I don't understand the need for the background music.
Matt's a great tyer
Where do you buy Hendrickson colored possum dubbing?
Thank you for the reply. What is the style?
Can I use a hungarian partridge feather for the wing instead of duck for this and the Cahill dry?
Matthew Horvitz I guess you can, but the wood duck, because the fibers are a good bit stiffer makes for more robust wings. Hungarian Partridge is really much better suited to soft hackle collars.
Thank you, I only ask because I dont have wood duck, looks like I need to make another run to the fly shop.
What is a Catskill fly? Is it a special pattern?
👍
Too back the wings?
The
Beautiful fly. The music to me is lame and unnecessary...like at the gas station. These Catskill flies have worked for me so well for 30 years all over Pennsylvania and beyond.