Tips and Techniques Archives - Park City Fly Fishing Guides

LaFontaine’s Buzzball

March 22, 2022 by Park City Fly Fishing Guides Leave a Comment

A creative use of hackle, originally designed and tied to emulate the schucks of dead midges.

The Buzzball was created by legendary fly tier Gary Lafontaine to imitate midge clusters on the Missouri River. We have found it to be just as effective fly fishing here in the Park City area. It’s clearly a variation on the classic Griffith’s Gnat, but adds a second color and a different profile. Featuring just a hook, thread, and two hackle feathers, it’s a simple and proven pattern.

In this great video from Tim Flagler of Tightline Productions, he shows you his method for tying a size 20 version of the Buzzball. Tying these in smaller sizes is a productive choice, especially when fishing the Middle Provo River, early season. As usual, Tim focuses on the preparation of materials, so when you tie them in, everything is in it’s right place. After a little trimming, the Buzzball is ready to fish.

Buzzball
Hook: Straight-eye, wide-gap dry-fly hook, sizes 14-20.
Thread: Black Veevus, 16/0.
Hackle #1: Grizzly hackle.
Hackle #2: Orange grizzly hackle.
Tools: Sharp scissors, hackle pliers, whip-finisher

How to Double Haul

January 12, 2017 by Park City Fly Fishing Guides Leave a Comment

The snow here in Park City has us thinking of the beach. And, if you’re serious about the salt you must have game with the double haul. Short of an expensive casting lesson this is the best instruction we’ve been able to track down. Thank you Rio! for crafting such a great edit. Many of us are going to be watching this over and over again.

Two Minute Drill

September 27, 2016 by Park City Fly Fishing Guides Leave a Comment

Tips and Techniques.

It’s that time of year. A month or two, in which we are all looking to find that last great fish to put a storied bookend to our season. Big fish are hungry and they’re presently looking for any and all opportunities to pack on some pounds before the snow flies. It can be intoxicating and many of us will find success in this quest.

Today, we’d like to remind ourselves and you, our fly fishing friends, that despite their rugged and brutish demeanor these trout are still fragile and ultimately very easy to damage and kill. Our friends at FlyTalk have some great tactical advice on how to stay in control and land the trout of your dreams. All the while, preserving that moment of a successful release.

http://www.fieldandstream.com/node/1005510613