Over the last 55 years plus of tying I have tried to simplify flies to the point of almost non-existence to determine what characteristics of the flies seem to be essential to the fish’s take. This has led me to a whole series of imitations that I call the Down & Dirty Flies. They are […]
Jason reshot Ulf Hagstrom’s “Still Got the Blues for You” at a different angle to better show the tail configuration. It’s well worth seeing. Thanks Jas!
Our new book, Long Flies, is getting closer. Watch for announcements about its release date and any special offers. Long Flies is a solid look at the developmental history of bucktails, streamers, leeches, buggers, muddlers, divers, collard flies, tube flies, and more, with special attention to design parameters. In addition, it contains an in-depth look […]
One of the things I love about attending the shows and symposia around the nation is the wealth of information that can be found there. At the 2011 International Fly Tying Symposium (held in Somerset, New Jersey, on November 19 and 20), my friend, Theo Bakelaar, showed me a really slick knot that he ties […]
I had a great note from my friend, Ed Mueller, a.k.a. the Otter. He’s the “Otter” of Otter’s Eggs. Very interesting, indeed: Gary: Got back a week ago from the Clearwater. Conditions were tough- very low water, and super clear. Our guide for 2 days told us the clearest he has seen it in 18 […]
I recently received a very kind note from Tony Watson, who lives in Africa. In it he makes reference to fishing for tiger fish in the Okavango Delta, So I’ve included a couple of photos of fish from that area. He says, Dear Mr. Borger, Just a short note to say how much I enjoy […]
After the International Fly Tying Symposium, Chuck and Ben Furinsky, and our friend from Holland, Theo Bakelaar, went searching for blues and stripers. They fished all day and finally found three large flocks of birds diving over bait. The fish were there and all of them were into both blues a stripers for they couple […]
The International Fly Tying Symposium was outstanding this year. Chuck Furimsky, founder and manager of the Symposium, invited a group of tyers from Sweden to attend and demonstrate their designs and tying skills. They received a great deal of attention from those in attendance. In addition, the crowd was large and most excited, filling the […]
The steelhead and browns of the Salmon River in New York were tuned into two fly designs during the time I was fishing there. One was the Steelhead Flea. Amazing simple in design, it was amazingly effective, too. The other was the Roe Bug—basically an easy egg with a veil. On the first day, we […]
Sunday, November 13, saw me driving north and east to Pulaski New York to meet with my long-time friend, Gary Edwards, his son Jason, and their friend Mike Ringer, a well-known artist specializing in outdoor scenes in water colors. for a two-day excursion on the lower Salmon River. The Salmon is noted for its great […]