Coal Speck

One of the earliest hatches in the Czech season are a kind of tiny black dipterans that I have so far failed to scientifically place. They are tiny indeed, almost impossible to imitate due to their diminutive size. They are however one of the first hatches to appear, allowing for one of the first opportunities for surface action. I will be expecting them to appear in about a two weeks time.

Here is a fly pattern designed to imitate this insect, tied on the smallest hook I consider practical for actual use - #20 Hanák dry fly. Anything smaller than that is just showing off (unless your name spells Andy Baird; then it would be just normal).

The tie:
#20 Hanák H130BL hook
14/0 Sheer thread, color grey
#16 UNI tinsel, pearl
2 tips of CDC feather
homemade Muskrat dubbing, dyed black
a light touch of black CD marker to darken the head

Black Buzzer

I can hardly wait for the moment when the icky white stuff finally melts and I can go fishing again. I still have to wait a while, but The Moment is getting nearer each passing hour!

It is very likely the first cast of the 2013 season will be at a still water. The rivers will be flooded with snowmelt, supressing any fish activity. I should do better on some sheltered still water.

In order to prepare for the occasion I am stocking up on my buzzer box. These are about perfect for what I have in mind for early season stillwater fishing - a team of simple buzzers drifting slowly on a floating line. Not the most active of fishing styles, but effective in the early season when the fish are feeling lazy after the winter.

An added bonus is that tying buzzers is a simple task, using only a very limited number of materials. The "clean" style stresses function over form, appealing to my estetic feelings.

The tie:
#10 Kamasan B110 grubber hook
black UNI Stretch thread
red flexi floss
a drop of thin lacquer