International Sportsman's Exposition

Deep Blue Poison Tung (Craven)
Hook: Tiemco 2488H #18-#22
Bead: 2mm silver tungsten

Thread: Ultrathread Blue Dun 70

Rib: Gunmetal Blue Ultrawire

Body: Tying thread

Head: Ice Dub, UV Gray

SPlatte Baetis

Email sgunkel@ggclub.com for material list and tying instructions.

Growing up in Colorado has given me the opportunity to enjoy all of its' outdoor beauty and I feel very fortunate to live the golf course life, it's a good one. Beyond the time it takes maintaining Kissing Camels, I enjoy the tranquil vibe of fishing for trout in moving waters. With less fishing pressure and stable flows, winter fly fishing can provide some of the best conditions of the year. Once the irrigation system is blown out and the golf course is covered with snow, my nights are largely consumed with tying flies to match the aquatic life of the local watersheds. This last Friday I had the opportunity to represent Anglers Covey at the ISE in the Fly Tying Theater. My presentation was about an hour long, in which time, I tied up a few local patterns such as the Black Beauty and Deep Blue Poison Tung to get warmed up. While these patterns are ridiculously easy to tie, they do an incredible job mimicking small aquatic midges found in the South Platte and the fish are very receptive to eating them. I finished the presentation demonstrating my own pattern tied to represent mayfly nymphs that have caught fish in our local rivers 12 months out of the year, Gunkel's SPlatte Baetis. I mainly tie this pattern to represent the spring and fall Blue Winged Olives, but have recently changed a few things and have an awesome Pale Morning Dun imitation that will slay this summer before and during the hatch. Like being on the golf course, fly fishing gives me a connection to nature that can't be duplicated. Fly tying, however, fills the void until the next time on the water. I'd like to personally thank Steve Gossage, and all the guys at Anglers Covey for the opportunity to show off my talents.