Fly Fishing,    Fly Tying,    heat shrink tubing,    Review,    unsinkable dry flies

Unsinkable Dry Flies? Heat Shrink Tubing? (or, The Hell With Fly Floatant)

By Tom Chandler 5/6/2009 5 minutes

An "unsinkable" dry fly might be the Underground's holy grail (I'm the guy who can't get his soft hackles to sink or his dry flies to float). And on a daylong smallstream jag, those little trout can turn your dries into nymphs in a matter of minutes.

So when Oregon's David Cowardin sent me a copy of his Unsinkable Dry Flies book for review, I - being essentially lazy - paid attention.

Will heat shrink tubing replace floatant?

Cowardin uses heat shrink tubing to construct his flies, sealing the tubes with a soldering iron (sample assembly instructions on his blog). Essentially, he's creating flies that operate on the same principle as your float tube.

It's an interesting concept; I initially shook my head, but quickly realized that foam is now a staple material among western tyers - why not heat shrink tubing?

It seems like it would be especially useful for big dries

Sadly, the book and handful of sample flies arrived in the middle of winter, so I still can't speak to the effectiveness of the flies.

As for the method, I'm intriguided, but because I'm a lot better at a keyboard than a fly tying vise, I'm turning to the Underground's Department of Fly Tying Geeks Wizards, which includes the heavy-metal rich Singlebarbed (who frightened us yet again with another militaristic fly tying materials post) and newly obsessed Atlantic Salmon Fly Tyer Dave Roberts (who actually could kill you if you got in his way).


We've got questions. They've got answers. More as we hear it.

The Big Idea
You'd automatically assume the technique would be more useful on larger patterns (like salmonflies, the season for which is fast approaching), though Cowardin has developed a full set of patterns, including BWO emergers. He admits flies smaller than size 18 are sometimes difficult to tie, but seems to have otherwise developed a fairly complete set of techniques.

He colors tubing with markers or even by coating them with an adhesive, which is then used to anchor dubbing or other colored "dust" materials.

A Heat Shrink Emerger?

Given my love of Quigley Cripples, Cowardin's emerger/cripple pattern (see purple fly above) is an especially interesting idea (though I think the hackle's tied a little on the heavy side), though each fly tyer will have to decide if heat shrink is a better "floatant" than closed cell foams.

Prior Art
Heat shrink tubing for no-sink flies?

A quick search of the Internet didn't turn up much in the way of prior work (surprisingly), but then Cowardin's own book didn't come up on Google until the middle of page 2 (which means it's time he invested in the Underground's SEO program for unknown fly fishentrepreneurs).

In Hatches Magazine, we found an article about Euro tyer Ulf Hagstrom's use of heat shrink tubing on his frighteningly realistic flies, though that's limited to appendages like legs.

All in all, Cowardin's self-published Unsinkable Dry Flies book offers some interesting glimpses into a fly tying technique that probably isn't wholly new, but likely hasn't been fully explored either.

You can read more about his technique (and order his book) on his blogger site. If you do, the Underground would love to hear your feedback.

See you at the bookstore, Tom Chandler.
Destinations
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Nestled in the north end of the Sacramento Valley, Shasta County and its three Cities - Redding, Anderson, and Shasta Lake - are 545 miles north of Los Angeles; 162 miles north of ... moreSacramento; 433 miles south of Portland, Oregon; and 592 miles south of Seattle, Washington.

In 2004, as an effort to increase tourism in the area, the Sundial Bridge, designed by world-renowned architectural designer Santiago Calatrava, was completed. The Sundial Bridge casts its gnomon shadow upon a dial to the north of the bridge accurately once a year during the Summer Solstice. With the objective of providing pedestrian access to the north and south of Turtle Bay Exploration Park, the Sundial Bridge has not only lived up to its purpose but has also become an icon for the City of Redding in the present day.

Redding is one of the best places to launch for Trophy Rainbow Trout & Trophy Steelhead Fishing in Northern California. A number of great rivers are within an easy drive and local guides can on any given day help you figure out where the fishing is great.

The Klamath river, Sacaramento river, Trinity River and the Feather river are all being frequented by local guides and fly fisher.
Fishing Waters
The Sacramento River is the principal river of Northern California in the United States, and is the largest river in California. Rising in the Klamath Mountains, near Mount Shasta ... more(in Siskiyou county), the river flows south for 445 miles, through the northern section (Sacramento Valley) of the Central Valley, before reaching the Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta and San Francisco Bay. It forms a common delta with the San Joaquin River before entering Suisun Bay, the northern arm of San Francisco Bay. The river drains about 27,500 square miles, with an average annual runoff of 22 million acre-feet, in 19 California counties, mostly within a region bounded by the Coast Ranges and Sierra Nevada known as the Sacramento Valley, but also extending as far as the volcanic plateaus of Northeastern California.
From over 13,000 feet on the south side of Mt. Lyell, the Merced River gets off to an icy, cold start. Winding through ancient canyons, carved by glaciers from another age, the river ... moreflows through Yosemite National Park down to the Lake McClure Reservoir. Its journey includes snow-covered peaks, alpine and subalpine meadows and clear, fresh water lakes. Pristine and largely unaffected by outside influences, the South Fork of the river still boasts one of the few self-sustaining populations of rainbow, eastern brook and brown trout.
Game Fish Opportunities:
Flowing for over 300 miles from its headwaters at Alturas, California, to the Sacramento River at Shasta Lake, the Pit River is one of the longest rivers in northern California. Full ... moreof fish, the river is home to rainbow trout, sculpin, hardhead, Sacramento suckers, speckled dace and Sacramento pikeminnow.
Game Fish Opportunities:
Trips
$
275
-
$
615
/ Boat
Capacity:
1 - 4 anglers
Days:
Daily
Duration:
4 hours - 1 day
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Fishing Waters:
The Merced River originates in the Southeastern corner of Yosemite National Park. Its headwaters begin at 7900 feet at the Clarke Range. It flows over Nevada and Vernal Falls, and ... morelastly, Illilouette Creek before she flows through the main Yosemite Valley. Then the Merced, picks up water from Tenaya, Yosemite, Bridalveil, and Pigeon Creeks near the end of the valley, and meeting up the water from Cascade Creek before the river flows through the Merced River Canyon and then outside the park. Its South and North Forks join it a few miles outside the park.

The Lower Merced is another river that can be drifted, water flow permitting, or walk & waded January through May.
$
425
-
$
550
/ Boat
Capacity:
1 - 2 anglers
Days:
Daily
Duration:
4 hours - 8 hours
Fly Fishing the American River in Northern Califronia will leave even the most advanced fly fisherman wanting more. That is why a knowledgable American River Fly Fishing Guide will ... morenot only educate you on the river sytem and its species, but show you the ins and outs, when, where, why, how and with what. Whether you are swinging for steelhead on the Lower American River or dry fly fishing the South Fork American River, you will be pleasantly pleased with the results.

The American River system is where you can start out fishing the Lower American River for shad, striper or steelhead while wet wading on a summer morning, then go eat lunch, get back on the road shoot up hwy 50 and within 45 minutes, have 30 fish on the South Fork American River fishing drys. Fishing the American River is one that can satisfy any fly fishing crave. The Lower American River is known for its shad, striper, steelhead and salmon runs. Shad start to enter the river in late spring, with some entering as early as April, the fishing starts to pick up in late May and early June, with July being the best. Even though the migration has ended the fishing can be great on those late July summer nights. If you have never fought a shad on a fly rod, I highly suggest it, they don’t call it the poor man’s tarpon for nothing. There are two methods used when shad fishing, one is swinging flys specifically tied for shad, the other is drifting flies under an indicator. Either technique is productive when used properly.

As far as stripers go, there are some resident fish in the river system year round, but can be extremely hard to catch due to the lack of numbers. When the weather warms so does the water as well as the Striper migration. The stripers start entering the river in early April and they are in the river system through September. Your best numbers in the lower part of the river is between April and May. June is a little slower due to the amount of shad that are in the river system and the stripers actively feeding on them, but once the shad are gone the fishing really heats up from late July through August, September and sometimes even October depending on the weather and water conditions. The best technique used for stripers is by stripping or swinging clousers with sink tips, full sinks and shoot head lines.

Now for the Steelhead, half pounders can be year round, but are mostly caught from late summer to spring. They can be caught using many techniques, from swinging to nymphing and even throwing drys. The best months to be on the water for half pounders are August through October along with March April and May. Don’t be discouraged by the word half pounder, this was the original run before the Eel and Mad river strain (winter run steelhead) was introduced in the 70's. These guys can put up a real fight for their size and most half pounders are wild fish ranging from 16-22" some even pushing 5 pounds and they are always full of spunk. The winter run doesn’t start showing up until the beginning of October, this is also peak time for the salmon run. The winter run steelhead that are on the American came from the Eel and Mad River systems, that was introduce by DFG to protect the steelhead population after the dams where e rected. These fish can be caught throughout the length of river from mid October all the way through March, sometimes even April. These fish range anywhere from 5 to 15 pounds. As far as fishing techniques goes, these big boys can be caught with the same techniques used on their half brothers, just scaled up a bit. If you want to get into steelhead and don't want to travel severals hours and possibly get a big goose egg, the American River is where its at. Not only is it our back yard, but we have 30+ years fishing this river system and we know where these fish hold throughout the year. Come enjoy some backyard fishing on a great river like the American river.

-Brian-
$
465
-
$
600
/ Boat
Capacity:
1 - 2 anglers
Days:
Daily
Duration:
4 hours - 8 hours
If you have ever driven over the Lower Sacramento River or even fished it, you know that due to its shear size and abundance of water, this makes it extremely intimidating. That's ... morewhy having a knowledgable Lower Sacramento River Fly Fishing Guide is so important. A great guide will not only put you on the fish, but will also show you the fishy spots accessable by land, the put ins and pull outs for boats, as well as the bug life, the flies to use and when you go on your own, how to put all that t ogether to be successful. The Lower Sacramento River is a big tailwater fishery and California's biggest trout river, and its rainbows are just as big and powerful as the river they live in. If you want big fish and year-round fishing, this is the river for you. With more food than your local all you can eat buffets (2,500 insects per square foot of river), the average fish grows to a healthy and hard-fighting 16-18", and pigs pushing two feet are not out of the question, so bring some big guns. The fishing season is year-round, and water temperatures remain fairly constant too, as the river comes out of the bottom of Shasta Lake.

This river consists of long, indescribable, spring creek like stretches that are broken up by islands, deep pools, long riffles, gravel bars and undulating shelf’s, many of which are more pronounced during lower flows.

If having one of the best trout fisheries in the state isn’t enough, the Lower Sac also hosts some great runs of Steelhead and Chinook salmon too. It also hosts a variety of other fish, such as, shad, squawfish, stripers, largemouth and smallmouth bass, these populations of fish become higher the farther you get away from Shasta Lake. The highest flows are during the summer months, when snow melt is at its greatest, so a drift boat is highly recommended.

You can walk and wade during the higher flows if you so desire, but staying near the bank will be your safest bet. The best time to walk and wade the Lower Sac is going to be during fall, winter and early spring, there is very little snow melt, and the rain that falls goes to filling up the lake, so the river is low and great for walk and wading. This is the time to get out there and really learn the river's bottom and fish those slots that only come out in lower flows, either way “PLEASE WADE WITH CAUTION”. But due to the river’s size and the amount of private property along its banks, those that prefer to wade have two options. One is to fish from public parks and access points along the 16 miles or river between Redding and Anderson, or, from your boat, getting out at the riffles and fishy slots to make some casts.

Public access is fairly easy though on the Lower Sac, there are 6 boat launches, and many public parks and access points along the river that flows almost parallel with interstate 5.

-Brian
Outfitters
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We are a team of friendly and knowledgeable fly fishing guides, with a combined 40 years of fly fishing experience, dedicated to making your adventure on the water with us as enjoyable ... moreand informative as possible. We want you to succeed in all of your fishy endeavors, and we will take the time with you to make sure that you have all the techniques and skills necessary to catch fish wherever you go. Float or Walk and wade with us on one of Northern California's finest rivers and streams and we will accommodate our guiding style to meet your needs and abilities. With our extensive fly fishing knowledge and experience on waters all over Northern California, we will guide you on a fly fishing trip you will not soon forget.

NCFG practices catch and release on all boats. We respect the sport of fishing and wish to give all anglers the opportunity to experience the gratification we strive to give each of our clients.
Type:
Fishing

AuthorPicture

Tom Chandler

As the author of the decade leading fly fishing blog Trout Underground, Tom believes that fishing is not about measuring the experience but instead of about having fun. As a staunch environmentalist, he brings to the Yobi Community thought leadership on environmental and access issues facing us today.

17 comments
Flykuni: Nearly Shakespearean — Avaunt! Arbogaster, dastardly one! Spawn of hell.Yeah, that's right - Arbogaster was a character in Romeo & Juliet. I almost forgot.
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Arbogast. Just sounds hairy. Strong and ancient. Like Eppinger. Of Daredevl fame. Nearly Shakespearean -- Avaunt! Arbogaster, dastardly one! Spawn of hell.
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Flykuni: I puke downwind to these flies — Arbogast! Arbogast! Wait. Is "Arbogast" now some kind of urban slang swear word? (The same way "sick" is now good?)
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Hell, the unsinkable fly ranks up there with those dang knotless leaders as another catalog hoax. Ever brand I've tried gets plenty.
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Well. I say again, Well. My cultural upbringing disallows me further, further -- argh. I puke downwind to these flies -- Arbogast! Arbogast!
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I remember sometime near the end of Bronze Age one of the famous tyers came out with a quill bodied hopper based on a similar concept. The biggest problem I see is that when the wall fails, you have a catastrophic sinking. I also wonder about the fly twisting. But I do like the glimmering effect the tubing creates. Anyway, the best way to catch a fish is to stop waving your arms around for a bit, ... more put on some some floatant, tie on new tippet, maybe root around in your boxes for a while, then cast. Works for me.
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Just a couple of years ago I would not even look at the book. I was pretty closed mind about what went on a fly. Now I really want to see it and even trying it. I have seen at so many shows that folks are branching out and trying new things and coming up with some cool results. Watching Karen Rorer turn out supper realistic fly's using UV Knot Sence for body and wings of dryed fish fins to get the ... more veins, of course this is art not fishing fly's. I will admit I will probably stay with Catskill style drys, and good old tryed and trues stone fly patterns for my old fishing, and yes there is foam in them so I do use some modern materials. I have gone off on a tangent of tying the Classic Atlantic Salmon Fly's. In this discipline you would not see any of this stuff, (the true Classic), but now they have a free style that you will have special beads and all kinds of things. (look at Ron Lucas web site) Its an art form that I can't call wrong just some really fantastic looking fly's. All this to say, I haven't read the book yet (TC if you haven't sent it off to singlebarb yet I will be down there this weekend to get it) I am looking forward to reading it and give them a shot. David
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I vote no on this concept. I don't like hardbodied flies. Marinaro writes about a porcupine quill body "coffin Fly" in his book the "Modern Dry Fly code", and I didn't like those either.
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Those flies look so natural!
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More likely it would blend in with all the litter and be very difficult to see.
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the roughfisher: the eccentric tactics of materials utility is strangely Barton-esque. Yeah, but wouldn't heat shrink tubing dissolve in the waters he fishes?
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the eccentric tactics of materials utility is strangely Barton-esque. Intriguing to say the least.
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Unsinkable Molly March Brown â„¢
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40Rivers, I've used tubing before as well, thinking it would float forever and look realistic to boot, but this heat shrink at least "looks" to be more effective than what I used. I'd be willing to try it out. Of course I'm not sure what kind of tubing you used. I tried the stuff commonly available from fly shops that makes nice segmented bodies when wrapped. Nathan
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May 6th - the day of heat shrink! Popped open my RSS Reader today and not only saw this post, but Merwin over on F&S.com blogging about heat shrink as well (for boat trailers). May the heat shrink industry rejoice - at long last, their day has come!
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I don't know if I'd buy into it being unsinkable. Last Winter I came up with a pattern that used two pieces of tubing, one on each side of the shank, sealed shut to get a more realistic profile for March Brown emergers. It floated alright, but still needed something extra to make it float for any length of time when current was involved. This Winter I improved it by getting rid of the tubing completely, ... more and wrapping hackle around a strip of foam and folding it forward over the thorax- paraloop style- and adding a deer hair wing. This one floats way better, almost forever, even with oversized hooks meant for nymphs. Not sure if I can post pics in your comments, but here goes- a link to the image location in case that doesn't work http://hatchesmagazine.com/blogs/40rivers/?attachment_id=1114
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Simple solution to a common problem... Funnily enough it's often DIY solutions like this that makes things work the way they are supposed to. Is it good marketing of proprietary products that makes us less experimental, and simply buy the stuff on the market, or is it the other way around? Anyway I love this kind of creativity, the logic thinking behind the rationale, it always leads me to think; ... more Why didn't I think of that? Looking forward to hear if it works...
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