Winged Royal Coachman

Winged Royal Coachman

5x7, soft pastel

This is another popular Western fly, the Royal Coachman winged version.  He almost got away from me because my initial sketch wasn't the best in regards to proportions.  My husband kindly reminded me though that it's a common problem even with fly fishermen/women who tie their own flies.  The materials they use can be cumbersome to handle making proper proportions a bugger to achieve.

Callibaetis Nymph

Callibaetis Nymph

5x7, soft pastel

Callibaetis are adaptable to extremes and can be found throughout the West in desert ponds, roadside ditches, rivers, streams, lakes and even tidal marshes 365 days a year. They thrive best in waters where trout are also found making them a favorite for trout and fishermen/women alike.   This nymph is all decked out with extra "flashabou" (love the name of those sparkly strands). 

Yellow Sally

Yellow Sally

5x7, soft pastel 

This fly is another very popular one used in the Northwest....and probably elsewhere.  It gets its name from the yellow body of the fly.  This pattern represents the Western Yellow Stonefly and is a very effective fly for catching trout.

Bead Head Nymph

Bead Head Nymph

5x7, soft pastel

I do love the little nymphs...and this one is as colorful as they come.  While I'm not sure the specific species it might be representing...its colors surely will attract the fish!  Nymphs are extremely small...many measuring  approximately 1/2 inch.  When I paint one from life, I typically have to use a magnifying glass to see it.

Tan Caddis Emerger

Tan Caddis Emerger
5x7, soft pastel

After hatching, a nymph lives on a stream or river bottom up to a year (depending on species) and then begins the process of transforming into an adult fly.  The nymph rises ("emerging") to the top of the water where it will continue to develop, molting into an adult fly ("dun" stage).  Once mature (spinner stage), it will take flight and mate.  The females will return to the water to drop their eggs before falling to the water's surface as a "spent spinner".   Sad...but true.  

Very Woolly Bugger

Very Woolly Bugger

5x7, soft pastel

This little guy just about got away from me.   I love this fly because of it's "jewelry", the flashing on the tail, metal bead head and wire wrap.  I imagine the black feathery material could prove to be a challenge to control when tying this fly...as it was for me in painting it.  I am back into painting flies for a week or so for a couple reasons.   One, it's time to go fishing (so I can continue with the 30in30 by painting these little guys in the boat) and two,  I just absolutely love painting fishing flies!  

Summer Catch Up

It isn't that I haven't been painting lately...it's just that I've been painting walls.   A very boring task but a necessary evil to keep the house up to date.   In any event, I'll post what few paintings I HAVE been able to accomplish below.   The fly fishing theme is one I'm thoroughly enjoying!   I am hooked for sure!

I'm also looking forward to a couple weeks in Wisconsin to visit family this summer and attend the Door County Plein Air Festival...where I hope to crank out a few more paintings.  Until then...

 Joe's Hopper, 5x7, soft pastel

Green Drake, 5x7 soft pastel

 Royal Coachman, 5x7 soft pastel

Opening Day, 8x10 soft pastel 

 Royal Coachman, 5x7 soft pastel

Grey Drake, 5x7 soft pastel

Copper John - Yellow Belly

Copper John - Yellow Belly

5x7, soft pastel

To me, this little Copper John variation looks a bit like a Yellow Sally Nymph..so I named it Yellow Belly.  Tomorrow,  maybe a landscape is in order.

Green Butt Skunk

Green Butt Skunk

5x7, soft pastel

 

Another fly...just for fun.  The Green Butt Skunk is a good fly to use for steelhead and trout fishing ...especially on the Clearwater River here in Idaho.

Fly 17 - Western Green Drake Nymph

Green Drake Nymph

5x7, soft pastel

For the next few days I'm going to paint the nymph then adult version of two flies.  First the Western Green Drake fly (which is a Mayfly species) then the Yellow Sally Stonefly. 

Today's painting is the nymph version of the Western Green Drake fly.  I like this particular version of the Green Drake nymph because flashback material was incorporated into the design (which not only makes the fly more attractive to fish...but more beautiful to paint)! This fly can be fished with success pretty much anywhere and is a common fly used in the Pacific Northwest.