Fly Tying- Andros Island Gotcha

Andros Island Gotcha

This is the only fly I use on our Andros Island trips.....period. Been the case for many years now. We have also been tying and selling this fly for a dozen or more years and have now heard from bonefishers around the world and I'm convinced it's one of the best there is for large bonefish.

This "variation" was shown to me about 15 years ago or so by friend Cole McVay while on one of our annual trips to the Andros Island Bonefish Club. His dad is actually credited with the original Gotcha fly so Cole was pretty familiar with the fly to say the least. Over the years I have tweaked it a bit by adding the Arctic Fox wing and also adding the UV resin for a bit of weight and a ton of versatility.

It is a BIG fly. Too big according to some guides in the Bahamas, but they are also most likely not putting their clients on double digit fish like we do regularly. Maybe they should try it?

If you are headed to Andros, or anywhere that big fish are found, make sure this fly is in your box!

Brian Flechsig- July 2018

Andros Island Gotcha Recipe:

Hook: Gamakatsu B10S #2- Click Here

Thread: Flat Waxed Nylon- Shell Pink- Click Here

Tail: Pearl Mylar Cord- Large- Click Here

Body: Pearl or Peach Sparkle Braid- Click Here

Eyes: Spirit River I-Balz 5/32- Click Here or Medium Gold Bead Chain- Click Here

Wing: White or Tan Arctic Fox- Click Here

Overwing: Pearl Krystal Flash- Click Here

Body and Head Coating: Loon UV Thin- Click Here

Glue: Zap-a-Gap- Click Here

1. Start your thread just behind the eye and wrap a thread base to about halfway down the bend. Then wrap your thread forward again to 1/4" or so behind the eye.

2. Take your section of Mylar Cord and double it over and tie it in where your thread is hanging, a bit behind the eye. Closed end behind the eye and the loose ends extending back off the hook shank, making the tail. Wrap back down the bend then back up to the tie in point. Cole taught me to double this up like this to create a bulkier body and also a fuller tail. Wrapping down the bend a bit creates a curved or "shrimpy" profile.

3. Tie in the I-Balz at the tie in point using the "figure 8" method. I also wrap around the base of the eye as well for added security. Then, Zap-a-Gap it and repeat the process. You don't want these to rotate! Also be sure that you leave plenty of room for the fox wing, krystal flash and a pretty pink head.

4. Tie in a long strand of the Sparkle Braid right behind the eye and then wrap the thread over it, back to the tail. Wrap the thread forward now and take it in front of the eye. I lay a base of the Sparkle Braid along the body to again create a more bulky body. Nobody likes a skinny shrimp. Now you wrap the body all the way up the hook, figure 8 around the eyes and tie off in front of the eyes.

5. I now take my scissor points and fray out the Mylar Cord of the tail. Make sure to get it all "pulled out".

6. Now you will coat the body with the UV Resin and cure it. This has greatly increased the durability of these flies and also adds a little weight so that they sink a bit faster. Large bonefish are usually found in 3-4' of water and most "store bought" bonefish flies are not heavy enough.

If I am tying these production and a bunch at a time, I will whip finish here and set aside. If you are tying 1 fly at a time, go ahead and turn it upside down in the jaws now.

7. Tie in a clump of the Arctic Fox for the wing, just in front of the eye and wrap over the butts, creating the head of the fly. You want this to be pretty healthy and also extend back a bit further than the tail.

8. Add some Krystal Flash for the overwing. I usually tie in about 4 strands and then use the "foldover" method which ultimately gives me 8. You will have to trim the 2nd bunch that you fold over to match the 1st bunch. Watch the video on how we do this.

9. Finish the head! I usually just coat the thread with some Zap-A-Gap and make a few turns in front of the wing letting some soak into the wing and eyes. There is no real need for a knot at this point but do whatever you are comfortable with. I then of course coat the entire head with the UV Resin and cure it.

That's it! Those who have fished Andros with us know this fly. I hope that you get to know it as well.

Watch the Video:

Join Brian Flechsig on Andros Island

February 16th- 23rd, 2019

Click Here for the details

Mad River Outfitters/Midwest Fly Fishing Schools

Fly Shop, Fly Fishing Guides, Hosted Fly Fishing Travel, Schools, Classes and more!

813 Bethel Rd.

Columbus, Ohio 43214

614-451-0363

admin@madriveroutfitters.com

www.madriveroutfitters.com

Fishing Reports- 7/5/18

* Please remember to call us for more up-to-date or detailed information! These reports are not meant to be your one and only, daily source of information. They are typically general, even seasonal type reports and we currently don't have a set schedule as to when we update. Please, just because we don't update as often as we like, it doesn't mean that we don't care.

There are many different approaches you should take in order to get a good game plan for a trip or a day of fishing. Also remember that things change and these reports are what we know at the time of posting only. Keep in mind that we do express opinions and personal preferences from time-to-time which may be different from yours or what you may read elsewhere. Thanks for checking and don't forget to call us if you need any further information or a more up-to-date report. 614-451-0363

Thanks as always for reading our reports friends. As the weather gets more conducive we should be reporting more regularly....but we need your HELP!

Send any and all reports to admin@madriveroutfitters and we'll do our best to get them up.

Upcoming Trips

Mad River Travel kicks-back into high gear here next week! Should be getting reports as we go so be sure to follow along on Social Media and such


July 13th- July 20th- Three Rivers Lodge in Labrador- Brian Flechsig is hosting 9 lucky anglers for trophy brook trout and pike. We already have reservations to do this trip again in July of 2020.

July 21st- 28th- Katmai Trophy Lodge- Naknek River in Alaska. "Alaska Sampler" trip. 14 guests along with hosts Ryan Ratliff and Jerry Darkes. Always a great trip at a great lodge!

July 29th- August 4th- Slide Inn- Montana. A Summer Tradition! We always love visiting our old friend Kelly Galloup and the gang at the Slide Inn on the banks of the Madison River. This has always been "Brian's" trip but due to the fact that he'll be just getting back from Labrador, Pat Kelly got the nod this year. 7 folks along with Pat on this one and is sure to be a ton of fun.....as it always is.

Click Here for a rundown of all our hosted fly fishing trips!

Late Summer/Fall Classes

The schedule for Late Summer and Fall Classes has been announced. 

Click Here to check it out!

Warmwater

The pop-up thunderstorms over the past few weeks have made the windows small, but rewarding.  We are in full Bass fishing mode and the amount of poppers heading out the door tells the story well.  Ponds, lakes, rivers and streams have all been producing.  Like mentioned before the rain has put the damper on some locations.  Ponds have been the most consistent producing good bass and panfish.  Streamers close to weed cover never lets down, but the topwater bite has been the most popular.  Over the past few days though the heat has pushed the bass deep and limited the popper bite to low light periods. 

Will Ratliff with a nice Largemouth on his Tenkara Rod!

Smallmouth fishing continues to be great when conditions allow.  Streamers, crawfish patterns, and poppers have been our go to flies.  Having a good knowledge of the local streams will provide you with a backup plan if a pop up thunderstorm forms as there is usually something that runs off quickly. 

Pike fishing continues to be fantastic and our guys have been putting clients on some great fish.  As long as we continue to have some rain every few days fishing will continue to be good.

Isaac Helterbridle and his dad Jason from up near Cleveland were out with guide Pat Kelly on 7/1 and described the day as "EXCELLENT"

Carp season is in full swing! Andy has been guiding at least twice a week during June and just completed "Carp School" this past Sunday. It's really amazing to see the number of folks who are opening up to this incredible sport.

Be sure to check out the "Carpin" DVD on our YouTube Channel to learn more.

“Carp School” 2018. Ralph Bierdman, Jordan Kessler, Duane Smith & Robert Livingston out today for Carp School. Everyone had a great time and learned a lot! We expect to see great catches from this group.

"Mulberry Regular" Tom Ryan was out with guide Andy Jensen on 6/27/18- had a great time as always!

Forecast:
Look for the heat and pop ups to continue to be a problem.  Looking at the rest of the week the Scioto and smaller streams will fish well as long as we do not get too much more rain.  Fish poppers under over hanging branches with decent flow and cover.  The heads of pools are also great places to target on top or with streamers.  Look for large rock or log jams with current as prime locations.  Grad some Booglebugs or Double barrel poppers, Clousers, or articulated streamers and cover lots of water.  If you plan on hitting a local lake or pond Clousers, Bottoms Up, Reapers, and Super Worms are great choices.  If you are fishing out of a boat grab a lake line from Rio or SA Sonar Warmwater and a few unweighted flies like Fathead Minnow, Zoo Cougars, or Swimmy Jimmy and target the deep weed edges and points.

Pike fishing should be on fire during the month of July. Josh and Pat have been lighting things up here the past week or two and they expect this action to continue. Give us a call at the shop if interested.

Guide Donnie Knight also claims that the Stillwater and Great Miami are coming into great shape and he's looking to get folks into smallmouth. If you are interested in fishing over near Dayton, let us know! Donnie is a hoot to fish with and can put you on the fish.

Carp fishing should only get better here the next few weeks as the streams begin to clear. Sight fishing should be excellent and the carp have been on the feed. Typical nymphs like the Wabbit Worms, Barry's Carp Bitters, Carp Charlies and Back Stabbers are all worth having in your box. Have some crayfish along as well.

Mad River

USGS Gauge- Urbana

USGS Gauge- St. Paris Pike

Mad River Map

The Mad has been fishing ok, but definitely slowing down with the heat. Best fishing right now is very early or very late in the day. May want to have a thermometer along as the temps during the day have been creeping up to where it might be better to think warmwater fishing.

We have had some decent streamer fishing the past few weeks with the water coming up and getting cloudy with the storms. Brian had a really great day on the water last week throwing streamers with a client. They had some storms roll through and the water dirtied up enough to make it a "streamer day" and they moved some really nice fish. Right now though, as the water drops here, it will primarily be a nymph game. Your best bet is to focus on caddis. Caddis larva along with soft hackles will be the way to go. 

Dr. Bob Lewis on a float last week with Brian in the AuSable boat.

Although our mayfly hatches are pretty well done for the most part, we have had some decent surface activity on Caddis. Mostly in the evenings but we have been doing well with Galloup's Butch Caddis, Goober Caddis and even old fashioned Elk Hairs. We have been able to draw fish up even though they weren't focused on the surface. Also want to have some ants and beetles if fishing during the day. These can also draw fish up but be sure to fish them around overhanging limbs and such. Fish know that they don't fall from the sky!

No sign of Tricos yet but with the strange year and weather we are having, they might not be far off. Folks fishing at daybreak should have a few along as well as a spool of 7X Tippet!

Have also had a few folks doing some night fishing. A smart move right now with the temps we have been experiencing.

Did some mousing Saturday night, things really came alive around midnight just like You guys have always told me. Full moon around 0100 high in sky, white belly mouse on a 6 weight switch with skagit head really helped keep me out of the trees.

Thanks for all the advice.- Mike Canter

Clearfork River

USGS- Upper Clearfork

USGS- Lower/Mohican State Park

Clearfork Map

The Upper river has actually been fishing pretty well, but the heat the past few days is taking a toll. The lower is of course too warm to consider trout fishing but has been producing well when it comes to warmwater species. 

MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A THERMOMETER WITH YOU.  Although there are plenty of locations that provide good cover, oxygen, and spring influenced water temps pressuring/stressing trout at water temps over 68 or so can be lethal.  Even if water temps are in a good zone our air temps are way too high for these fish to recover.  If you do make it out bring the net and heavy tippet. The net will provide you a way to keep the fish in the water to take the hook out and help revive the fish.  Heavy tippet allows you to bring the fish in quickly limiting fatigue.  

Those that understand all of the above have been rewarded with some good fishing.  Most of the mayfly hatches are done, but there are plenty of the usual Summer bugs to match.  Caddis have been the main insect the fish have been feeding on.  Look for an early morning and evening hatch.  We usually either skate a dry or swing Soft Hackles to match these bugs.  Also look for fish to be targeting Ants and beetles midday. 
We have not seen any Tricos as of yet, but with the heat it should be any day now.  This is usually later in the summer, but how this year has been going the “usual” is just a guideline. 

Forecast:
Water temps will continue to be a concern so keep an eye on the thermometer.  Your dry fly box should consist of many different caddis patterns that provide varied surface silhouettes.  Elk Hair, Stimulators, Henryville Special, Goober Caddis, and Butch Caddis are all great.  As for wets any of the Soft Hackles, Drowned Caddis, Core Caddis, and Shop Dips are a good start.  Also make sure to have a good selection of beetles and ants.  Make sure as with all dries that you have patterns that ride differently in the surface film.  Shoot us a call or email if you need help figuring any of this out.  

Clear Creek

USGS Gauge

Clear Creek Map

Although we had a surprisingly productive June on the creek, things are slowing down here for sure. Water temps will be a concern until we get a break. Probably best to think about fishing warmwater species and leave these guys alone for now. Move on down to the Hocking and chase some smallmouth around. Decent carp fishing to be had there as well.

We'll update as we know more and as always, feel free to call the shop if you have any questions.

Mad River Outfitters/Midwest Fly Fishing Schools

Fly Shop, Fly Fishing Guides, Hosted Fly Fishing Travel, Schools, Classes and more!

813 Bethel Rd.

Columbus, Ohio 43214

614-451-0363

admin@madriveroutfitters.com

www.madriveroutfitters.com