Rusty Ol’ Flybox

I found a rusty old fly box of my dad’s Rogue River flies today. Mostly double hook down eye patterns with cool names like Juicy Bug, Gold Demon, Zach’s Special, Red Ant and there was even a double hook version of a Green Butt Skunk! There are clearly a few in here that dad just made up!

The double hook flies remained balanced upright while fishing traditionally out of a back-rowed drift boat on the Rogue. These flies were often tied with double upright wings for extra balance and attraction. A lot of the patterns used squirrel tail for wings and golden pheasant for the tails, but it seems nothing was off-limits. It is rumored that the best white double-wing material back in the day was polar bear hair!

It was interesting to see the progression of dad’s fly-tying. It seems like he started with these utilitarian versions (pictured) and then got really technical and neat with the later versions. I like the ones in the photo that he tied the best because they were probably fished more than 50 years ago.

My dad was a fly-tyer, rod-builder, husband, father and an amazing fisherman. He taught me how to fish, boat, tie flies and love the outdoors.

All of this is the reason that I am not a doctor, lawyer or any other productive member of society! Ha!

I became a river guide instead, and I wouldn’t have it any other way…

Love you dad,

Tim