The history of the Rusty Rat

[@martyrothman3933]

Good morning Matt good morning everyone not when I first found your Channel I had just started tying flies and I was kind of nervous I did not do many then I found your Channel now I tie all the time I love your channel it gives me so many ideas I'm not afraid anymore and I have a lot of fun I tied flies for a lot of friends and give them away and I love it thank you so much for everything you do I really appreciate it

[@marshallbaldwin8960]

I agree with you wholeheartedly. Let’s keep it up. Matt does inspire!

[@soundbwoikilla764]

Ditto for me

[@SavageFlies]

Wow Marty, thank you for such a kind comment! Hearing notes like this really keeps ME inspired to make more videos and spend the bit of extra time doing the research on the patterns. Thanks my friend and have a great weekend!

[@thomasdurkin8719]

Look at Matt channeling Jim Quick and wearing a tie when he ties flies. Had to take it to another level with the vest, huh Matt?

[@SavageFlies]

Hahaha! Yes indeed Thomas. I've decided that on video making days, I'm going to just tie right after work and wear my work clothes. Of course, that's also a nod to the old timers who probably got up on the weekends and put on their coat and tie before sitting down at the bench. :-)

[@lockhackle2645]

I found a pattern for this fly that was tied on a double hook… so why not right. It’s now in a shadow box with three or four other older classic patterns. A fly is fly … the fish don’t know if it’s for salmon or bass… fish it.

[@SavageFlies]

Absolutely right! I think we see a lot of salmon and steelhead flies on double hooks... probably because they're just huge fish and can straighten out a single hook if you hook up with a big one. :-)

[@pc5439]

Matt, hello my friend, talk about consequences, I was going to mention a Atlantic Salmon fly named the Black Rat,. I found in a book I just received, a paperback of over 500 pages of history, fly tying history and materials and their usage. It's written and illustrated by George Leonard Herter, titled, Professional Fly Tying, Spinning and Tackle Making Manual and Manufacturers'Guide. A authentic Fly tying Dictionary of popular patterns and complete outline of fishing Entomology. It was written in 1971 and covers all aspects of materials used to tie flies. It mentioned that on January 21, 1939,,, Miss Helene E. Shaw tied a Royal Coachman on a specially made English hook in a size forty. It has so much information and history about fly tying, that once you pick it up and start reading it, you won't want to put it down until you finish reading it. As always, keep your head dry and your flies wet.

[@SavageFlies]

Great comment Phil! I've got one of Herter's books, it's called "Professional Fly Tying and Tackle Making" but it's only a couple hundred pages. I'm going to have to look up the one you mention. It sounds like a real treasure! Thank you for this note. Now I've got to go see if I can dig up a used copy of this 1971 version. :-) Send me an email if you happen to have a link for it. [e-mail]

[@pc5439]

Matt, I sent you a email when get some free time.

[@TrappingTheMitten-JohnHowell]

I have tied and fished the rusty rat using silver Fox for many many years. It's a great steelhead fly Trapping season is almost over, it's time to start focusing on flies again

[@SavageFlies]

Absolutely John! Speaking of trapping, I went out to tend my rabbits this morning and found a fox had gotten five of my kits and a doe and buck. It was the first time I have seen this particular fox - he was huge. It might be time to break out a trap and get another fox tail for my fur wall! Let me know if you have any tips on trapping these guys. I'm thinking I'd rather use a cage trap and dispatch with a .22 but again, this guy was huge so I'm not sure my raccoon-sized trap would work.

[@gdreilly]

Matt, you have been dressing classy for the last few tying episodes! Nice job! Tight lines!!

[@SavageFlies]

Well thank you George! Maybe I'll keep it up as a nod to the gentlemen tiers of past generations I'm always talking about on here. :-)

[@howardmceachern6614]

I have never heard of the rusty rat, but it is on my radar now. Thanks for the historical knowledge; I am heading to my flytying bench as usual. Thanks, Matt.

[@SavageFlies]

Appreciate it Howard! Hope you have a great weekend my friend. :-)

[@laytonmarvin3790]

You can never go wrong with this style pattern. I have tied many different variations(colors) and caught many steelhead, salmon, and trout. This is such a versatile fly. Thanks Matt for sharing and have a fantastic weekend.

[@SavageFlies]

Appreciate it Layton! I think I might do a series on all these Rat patterns. They are pretty fun to tie, and can certainly be great looking flies!

[@jeffjackson5331]

Pretty cool looking fly

[@SavageFlies]

Appreciate it Jeff! Hope you have a great weekend my friend. :-)

[@jeffjackson5331]

@@SavageFliesit is my pleasure Matt. You as well

[@bsaks51]

Thanks for another great history on the Rusty Rat. I think I will be tying some up as streamers. Love your Chanel Matt I look forward to Tuesday and Friday. It's the first thing I do in the morning

[@SavageFlies]

Well thank you Brian! I appreciate the kind words my friend. :-)

[@mikesflies5005]

Love it. Thanks Matt

[@SavageFlies]

Appreciate it Mike! Hope you have a great weekend my friend. :-)

[@markfritch3168]

I’ll bet this is the first time two different people originated a fly, lol. Thanks for the history, I had to smile. Great looking vest and tie by the way. Went back through a couple of my first fly books and actually read the material before the fly sections. Back when I started I guess I was too eager to get to the heart of the material. Your channel has gotten me to do some research now and then. What a great eye opener into the past that supports our sport. Thanks for all you do, have a great weekend. Warmest regards sir

[@SavageFlies]

You're most welcome Mark! I appreciate these kind words my friend. I'm always looking for ways to differentiate my channel from all the other tiers out there. That's why I started doing the research on their history, and now maybe it's time to step up my wardrobe too. :-) Thanks again for the note. Have a great weekend!

[@DB-iu8yl]

I always enjoy the backstory to the flies. Keep up the good work.

[@SavageFlies]

Appreciate it DB! Hope you have a great weekend my friend. :-)

[@marshallbaldwin8960]

Just got the J Stockard Fly of the Month and Matt is mentioned and acknowledged as a recent fly tier. This is AWESOME. Great recognition Sir Matt!

[@edwardchavez5627]

Good Morning Sir Matt, The Rusty Rat is a great looking fly. I don't see salmon fishing in my future any time soon but you said small mouth bass ... well we got alot of those in the great state of Texas. I don't have any fox I might try substituting it with something else till I can get some fox , any suggestions what I can use? The color scheme looks amazing, Thanks Sir Matt. Ps . I'll be staying in Alexandria, I'll send an email with information.

[@SavageFlies]

Edward- yes! Use squirrel tail for any hair wings like this. Put it in your stacker and it'll look and perform almost the same as these fox guard hairs. I love hair wings from squirrel tail! As far as salmon fishing, you and me both my friend! I've got trout rivers pretty close, and warmwater ponds all over the place. I'm much more likely to catch a nice smallmouth before I ever get out and go salmon or steelhead fishing. :-)

[@asaandrews3372]

Beautiful fly matt! I always love these longer videos

[@SavageFlies]

Well thank you Asa, I appreciate the feedback! Hope you have a great weekend my friend. :-)

[@brhino1017]

Love the tie Matt. You should call your show "The Gentleman Fly Tyer.

[@SavageFlies]

Hahaha! You know, I usually wear a bowtie with my suit at work. And some of my coworkers said I should have name the channel "The bowtie fly guy." :-)

[@garrettswoodworx1873]

The interesting backstory along with the "this will catch fish" attitude are what distinguishes Savage Flies from the other fly tying channels on KZbin. Thanks Matt. (PS: You do clean up pretty nice!) 🙃🙃🙃

[@SavageFlies]

Hahaha! Thanks Garrett. :-) My new schedule has me tying right after work (instead of late at night) so I may just keep my work clothes on for my videos going forward. :-)

[@edwardmlotkiewicz2343]

Another great history and video on a classic fly. Atlantic salmon flies are always a challenge to tie but as you put it, "Make it fun." That helps us tyers gain confidence and tie better flies and have fun doing it as well as catching fish in flies we tie ourselves. Thanks.

[@SavageFlies]

You bet Ed! If I wasn't having fun doing it, I would pick another hobby. :-)

[@50Squirrel]

Looking very dapper! Great story & as always a great video.

[@SavageFlies]

Appreciate it Earl! Hope you have a great weekend my friend. :-)

[@marshallbaldwin8960]

This is a great looking fly. I’m going to tie some up with what I have and see how it looks. Thank you Sir Matt for all you do for us fellow tyers

[@SavageFlies]

You bet Marshall! Hope you have a great weekend my friend. :-)

[@melchurch3019]

Looks like a fun tie for Michigan Steelhead and in a smaller size for trout. Love the history. Thanks.

[@SavageFlies]

Appreciate it Mel! Hope you have a great weekend my friend. :-)

[@sidney6376]

Good morning Matt. Very interesting. Yes it's not cut and dry. Tie different flies. You never know what will happen with each cast. Thanks Matt for the info. Have a great day.

[@SavageFlies]

Great comment Sidney! I appreciate you my friend. Have a great weekend!

[@hirkojs]

That’s an Amazing job you did tying this fly. It’s definitely on my to do list. Mega Thx Matt

[@SavageFlies]

Appreciate it! Hope you have a great weekend my friend. :-)

[@PULSEMusicGroup]

Nice one Matt! Always learning something new!

[@SavageFlies]

Appreciate it Tony! Hope you're having a great weekend my friend. :-)

[@warrenchester8467]

Looking sharp today Matt! Is that your fly tie 😊

[@SavageFlies]

Hahaha! Now you've got me wondering, if someone says "nice tie" are they talking about the pattern in my vise or my necktie? Hmmm...

[@billl.3538]

A wonderful tie and enjoyable backstory. Thanks, Teach!

[@SavageFlies]

You bet Bill; I appreciate the kind words! Hope you have a great weekend my friend. :-)

[@toddslichter7831]

Awesome job, Matt. Great looking RAT. I find that most salmon/steelhead patterns tied in a number of sizes are often my goto flies for bass and panfish. Thanks for sharing, my friend. Have a great weekend.

[@SavageFlies]

Appreciate it Todd! Maybe I should do a whole series on tying some "micro" salmon or steelhead flies and then getting some footage of me fishing them for panfish and bass. That would certainly break some traditional barriers. :-)

[@toddslichter7831]

@@SavageFlies sounds like a great series.

[@doncogswell9596]

Good looking fly and a great backstory. Thanks for the research. You're looking pretty spiffy Matt! I have a photo of my grandfather fly fishing in the middle of a river wearing a sport coat and tie. You should try it and include a creel.

[@SavageFlies]

You know Don, I just might do that! I'll have to pick up an old wicker creel on Ebay, but I've got some tweed sport coats already, and a couple old bamboo rods I could take out. And then if I film the fishing, I'll have to record in black and white. This would actually be a fun video to make. Thanks for the idea!

[@TheCopperVillageAngler]

Great looking fly, Matt! Your tying skills are evident!

[@SavageFlies]

Well thank you Ralph! Hope you have a great weekend my friend. :-)

[@Jd-yc3gw]

Good morning Matt. ☕️ and the Rusty Rat. Great way to start a day. Really enjoy the history behind these flies. I had to laugh when you were discussing potential feedback whether or not you could use a streamer hook for this or not. Looking at the books in my collection and the different ways some flies are tied from one book to another it’s my view that many variations were likely derived from materials availability or a preference for a certain type of hair, feather, hook etc. More variations will likely be coming as some materials will not be available. Trafficking in wildlife, diseases (such as avian flu) have and will continue to change what we can get for materials. Seal fur, polar bear, jungle cock and others that were readily available at one time are being replaced with synthetic substitutes in many cases. Heck even thread colours change from one dye lot to another. If you tie like me then your Rusty Rat might look like a Chewed Rat. All these variables can change a component of a fly but in the end if it looks like a Rusty Rat then it is. I enjoy your videos because of the energy you bring and the fun you have. Please don’t change my friend. From the looks of the comments you have far more supporters than nay sayers. Have a great weekend Matt.

[@SavageFlies]

Wow, thanks for this great comment John! And you're spot on about how tying has changed over the generations, and a lot of that is due to material availability. I have a lot of books that mention polar bear fur as a common material and that's not something we'll ever see used much going forward. But also, a lot of materials that were used more often back then, really aren't hard to come by today. I'm thinking furs like skunk, or coyote tail. These are still pretty easy to get but we certainly don't see them every day. Maybe preferences just change over time too. Or, I wonder if tiers from the 30s and 40s, who sourced a lot of their material on their own, just found it easier to go shoot a skunk than to successfully hunt a deer and then dye the tail black. Hmmm... interesting to think about. Thanks again for the note. Have a great weekend my friend!

[@jimgollach6202]

Thanks Matt! That's one cool looking fly. Have a great weekend 😀.

[@SavageFlies]

Appreciate it Jim! Hope you have a great weekend too my friend. :-)

[@bigdaddy99929]

I’ve tied similar but forgot which book I got it from. 😜. However, I have not yet fished it. Hope to do more fishing these coming years. 😊. Thx Matt. Have a fabulous weekend.

[@SavageFlies]

Appreciate it Clyde! And you too my friend. :-)

[@barbaraemerich1921]

Thank you Matt! Very cool fly!! I love hearing the stories of the flies!!

[@SavageFlies]

Appreciate it Barbara! Hope you have a great weekend my friend. :-)

[@rickysmith9599]

How do we recommend flies we want to see featured possibly?

[@SavageFlies]

Just mention it in a comment Ricky and I should see it. And if it's something within my skill set, and I have the materials, I'll put it on my to-do list!

[@michaelpeterson6413]

That’s a good looking fly. I may have tie up a couple. Thanks for sharing, I appreciate you digging up these old patterns.

[@Michael-hg6ky]

Matt...great looking fly. Interesting history and I love your independence and philosophy regarding what flies and hooks should be used for what fish. You make this fun and a great start to the weekend.

[@SavageFlies]

Wow, I really appreciate this comment Michael! Thank you for these kind words. Have a great weekend my friend. :-)

[@davidroper-newman4204]

Thanks Matt for another great tying lesson! I have a copy of Poul Jorgensen's book 'Salmon Flies', and your tying is virtually identical to the sequence in his book, although he uses yellow floss. He also described a 'Blue Rat' apparently ideal for Iceland, although I've never been convinced about blue in freshwater flies.....

[@davidroper-newman4204]

The Blue Rat has Blue floss of course...

[@SavageFlies]

Great comment David! I'm checking out the Blue Rat now. I'm definitely going to tie a handful of these Rat patterns. If for nothing else, they will look great in a shadow box. And... I just found a copy of Jorgensen's book on Amazon for only $16. So thanks, now I just ordered another book! Have a great weekend my friend. :-)

[@Beardedfurflinger]

Awesome tie,as a west coast stellie guy,many patterns come to mind that over the years have lost their origins & changed,the Skunk is 1 that comes to mind tied plain,green or red butt,spey style or low water style,I fish several that I've downsized for local brook & rainbow trout,that's why we tie flies to have fun & enjoy,tight lines & bent rods 🤙

[@SavageFlies]

Absolutely right David! Thanks for this great comment my friend. :-)

[@FlyTyer1948]

You are so right in saying there are no rules to say you can’t use a fly for only one or two species of fish. If you like a style of fly for salmon but want to adapt it for stripers or carp, you should do it. Okay, if you are going to go with more formal attire for tying, you are going to need a tie with “Savage Flies” & logo on the lie. ;-)

[@SavageFlies]

Oh, great idea Bob! I've been toying with the idea of stepping up my wardrobe for my videos. Usually I tie late at night but I'm adjusting my schedule and trying to work on my videos right after work (and hence, still wearing my work clothes). Here's my thinking along these lines... we used to see a lot of tiers from past generations tying (and fishing) in a bit more formal attire than we see today. I'm sure that was because people simply dressed more formally back in the 40s and 50s. But I do wear a suit and tie to work everyday. Why do I need to come home and change out of my work clothes? Unless I'm tending my rabbits or chopping wood of course. So... question for you- would it seem pretentious of me to step up my wardrobe in my videos? Should I assume 90% of my viewers don't wear a coat and tie to work every day? That might be presumptuous of me! But then again, since I do seem to tie a lot of historic patterns, and like to recognize and talk about our previous generations of tiers, I can always say I'm dressing the part of the "gentlemen fly tier" of the past. But you know what? I need to just be myself. I've never made a video with me wearing a t-shirt or sweatshirt (t-shirts are undershirts to me, not attire in themselves). I always wear at least a collared shirt, and usually it's a long sleeved shirt. Though I have been known to fish in overalls and a t-shirt-- if I'm going straight from the farm! Anyway, this is a lot longer of a comment than I intended to write. I do seem to ramble on at times. Anyway, have a great weekend!

[@diecastrejuvenation7779]

Love the history lessons you give us for flies. It really makes your channel unique. Also your philosophy of "just have fun with it". Sadly, a lot of the tyers on here are frankly dull and stiff. We need channels like your's to make our hobby appealing to the younger generations. Thanks for all you do for the hobby!

[@SavageFlies]

Wow, I love this comment Troy! Sometimes I worry that I'm too stiff (or formal), and these young tiers prefer more modern tight-line nymphing with beads and rubber legs, and they're not going to sit through me tying a hundred year old classic dry fly. But I really do want to keep the history of our sport alive so that's why I still lean toward more classic flies when I can. Thanks for the note my friend!

[@ybarrajc]

Thanks for sharing Matt, my list is getting longer. Have a blessed day my friend.

[@cheflexx778]

Alrighty Matt. Looking sharp with the tie on... 😉😉👍👍

[@SavageFlies]

Appreciate it Alex! Hope you have a great weekend my friend. I'm going to have to start planning my next trip up your way soon. :-)

[@kenb4685]

Love the rust rat. Thanks Matt.

[@jeffreystone7327]

Classy looking fly. As I must say you are looking pretty sharp yourself. This one is a bit of a project in comparison to many. But the extra effort sure pays great dividends in the end. Also had to go back and checkout the Skykomish Sunrise again. Man I love that one. You know when I hear you mention Smallmouth, I just swallowed that hook. Matt thank you buddy for sharing another great video with us today. Have an awesome weekend Sir.

[@SavageFlies]

Hahaha! Thank you Jeffrey. Sometimes the fly I'm tying also reminds me of a fly I tied a year ago and I have to go back and check it out. And then it makes me want to tie it again!

[@Loyalist-ul6qm]

Love the channel thanks for the history of the flies I've learnt a lot from you tightlines and good vibes all the best from Scotland.

[@andrewwebster13]

Dick Stewart’s universal Flytying guide leaves an open chassis for us. Now getting those proportions just right…

[@SavageFlies]

Oh yeah, that's a great book Andrew! I've tied out of it often. :-)

[@krissyverstad6204]

Your tie complements that tie nicely. More history... Thanks.

[@SavageFlies]

Hahaha; thanks Kris!

[@huntingmissouri5420]

Love it!! Nice tie Matt

[@SavageFlies]

Appreciate it Franky! Hope you have a great weekend my friend. :-)

[@phillipfrank3595]

I am obsessed with stealhead/salmon flies. The creek in my backyard is full of creeckchubs. I've tied an fished Maine speys on 12 and 14 wet fly hooks. I would never show them to you.

[@burtonbrocious171]

Looking sharp matt. Tks for the info on the rusty ray very in depth. That fly should work on many different species. 👍

[@SavageFlies]

Absolutely Burt! I always appreciate your notes my friend. :-)

[@Hunter711pa]

Nice job Matt keep up the job work buddy!

[@SavageFlies]

Appreciate it Dave! Hope you have a great weekend my friend. :-)

[@dano956]

Being from New-Brunswick, Canada (home of the famous Restigouche river) I have only ever heard about Arsenault (a guide on the Restigouche) being the inventor of this pattern. The story goes that fly tying supplies were hard to come by, and since suppliers would not sell Arsenault feathers he became an expert at hair wing flies. Incidentally I tie mine with silver fox.

[@SavageFlies]

Great comment Danny! I appreciate you sharing the local knowledge. I think I did read that from the Restigouche Lodge's website. But also something about he was having a hard time getting hooks from the UK as they didn't want him cutting into their US sales. So it certainly sounds like Clovis Arsenault was a well-known and respected tier of the era. And it's odd that I haven't read much about him in any of my books. I might have to do some more research on him and his contribution to the sport. Thanks again for the note!

[@oldsmugglerflyfishing]

Very nice fly and cool history.

[@davehall2160]

Have you been losing weight 🤔 Looking good, gorgeous, looking fly, Matt. Wish we had some salmon down here Thanks for the video and hope you have a wonderful weekend

[@SavageFlies]

I have Dave. Probably down 30 pounds or so since last fall. Not entirely on purpose, I'm just preparing for a marathon next month and have been running a lot lately. :-)

[@davehall2160]

@@SavageFlies looking good I'm down about 55, got 20 more to go

[@randymorris8740]

I have caught pike on salmon fly patterns many times... To a fish, everything is food... If they can get their mouth over it, they will eat it because they don't know when their next meal will be, so they are hard wired to eat anything that even remotely resembles food... I hear that trout can be selective, but in my 60+ years of fishing I have never seen that happen... Sure, matching the hatch is fun, but it's not written in stone that you must do so... What I noticed is - it's not what fly you tie on that matters, it's how you present it to the fish, the more natural it looks in or on the water, the more prone fish are to eating it...

[@SavageFlies]

Great points Randy! But I can tell you that I have certainly run into some selective trout over the years. I've drifted a size 14 elk hair caddis over feeding fish plenty of times and watched them come up and take a look but not take. Then you think, maybe my drift wasn't just right so you try it a couple more times. Maybe a couple more looks but no takes. Then you rest the water for ten minutes or so, they keep feeding, and you tie on a size 18 midge or Adams, and bam. There's your take. My philosophy on dry fly trout fishing is, here's the order of precedence. A good drift matters most. Then size. Then pattern, and finally color/flash. If you don't get a good drift, you're only going to catch the most reckless (and young) fish. But with a good drift, if they're eating size 18s, they will probably also eat a size 16 or 20. But a 12 might turn them off. As for pattern- if they're eating mayflies in size 18, they may still take a caddis in the same size. And last in importance is color. If they're eating dun colored mayflies, they'll probably also eat an olive colored one. Just my two cents. :-)

[@goldenvise]

When I started fly fishing and tying in the early 80s in the deep south, the only book I could find with photos of flies was Dick Surette's Trout and Salmon Fly Index. I tied a bunch of "salmon flies" on streamer hooks and caught a lot of bass on them. I'm like you, I love and respect the tradition and history of the sport, but I don't let that stop me from trying different things. And that includes a lot of substitutions for materials I couldn't get or couldn't afford. I'm sure some purists would have turned their noses up if I knew any purists at the time (heck, I hardly knew any other fly fishers at that time in that area). But the fish were cool with it, which is what I cared about.

[@SavageFlies]

Great comment! Thank you for your insight. And I'm 100% with you my friend. I love having fun with it. But here's a secret-- most of my experimental flies never end up being on videos. A lot of them turn out to be disasters that wouldn't catch anything but the most reckless fish. :-)

[@harryjoesather6539]

very cool matt thanks see ya joe.

[@SavageFlies]

Appreciate it Joe! Hope you have a great weekend my friend. :-)

[@mikeney5113]

I totally agree with ya matt.tie it the way you want it and just fish it.smaller or bigger.thanks for the history

[@SavageFlies]

Appreciate it Mike! Hope you have a great weekend my friend. :-)

[@johnnylightning1491]

It's fly tying, there are no rules, do what makes you happy and hopefully catches fish. As far as this particular fly goes I think you could tie it in a smaller size and call it the rusty mouse. Keep the good stuff coming buddy.

[@SavageFlies]

Great comment Dave! I just responded so Todd who says he ties a lot of salmon/steelhead flies in smaller sizes for panfish and bass. I think I just might do that too. :-)

[@joeduca8582]

Yikes! Matt has Rats!🐀Call the exterminator 📞🐭🪤Yup, looks nice and rusty, very ratty - in a good way 🤓👌Was the Davie tie you watched the 3 minute version where he tried to break Warren Duncan's record of 1 minute and 13 seconds? I didn't know that R A T name history, very cool, and there's a litter of Rats - but I've yet to see a "pinkie" 🤭. So every Rat I've seen is tied a little differently, most have a half & half body proportion, but I think it's to the tiers eye. Nice expedient tie Matt, no haters here, that rat will hunt... and fish! Nice one Matt, have a great weekend!

[@SavageFlies]

Thanks Joe! I did watch his three minute version. I don't think I could ever get this one down that quickly, but maybe if I tied a dozen, and wasn't talking out loud through each step, I might get it down to 5-6 minutes. Okay, you're comment has got me researching this series... now I think I'm going to make a shadow box of all these Rat patterns. They are kind of fun to tie. And apparently there are 15 of them. Check out Fabian's video if you're curious. Good stuff man, thanks for the note! kzbin.info/www/bejne/gambh3ihpqyGj5Y

[@joeduca8582]

@@SavageFlies I'm not a cat so curiosity never killed me. Rats on the other hand... Glad you called a taxidermist instead of an exterminator Thanks for the link, that was great, Fabian has some skills. Good luck on the shadow box, hope we get to see it. 🙂👍

[@escomag]

Wow, Matt. You commented on one of my favorite steelhead flies. The Skykomish is an easy one to tie, and a great fly in off colored water. Never thought of it for smallmouths. 20" is very impressive. My books have the same history as you stated. One difference is a statement that was that the wing was once tied with silver monkey. Good job on the tie. Atlantic salmon flies? You going to try a Green Highlander next?

[@SavageFlies]

Great comment; thanks! I did read somewhere during my research that he once even used some monkey fur. That would certainly be an interesting material to have. As for Atlantic Salmon flies? I don't think my skill level is there yet, and when I do get there I probably won't do too many for the channel... most of those videos out there are at least 45 minutes long! And the Green Highlander? I'm looking that up now, and wow, that's a beauty. I do see a few called that with a hair wing that I could manage, but the original feather wing one, like this thing (flytyingarchive.com/green-highlander-kelson-classic-salmon-fly/ ), this would take me a week to tie! And oh yeah, I was looking for old pictures of that big smallmouth I caught back in SW Virginia, and like many fish stories, it has gotten bigger over the years. It was probably 18 inches at best. But man, I was having a blast that day and still remember it like it was yesterday. :-)

[@escomag]

You and me both. My attempts at a married wing have been sad. One of those "I tried to make that, but it came out like this".

[@johnsamothrakis4621]

Love the History Lessons 👍. Thanks for another Wonderful Fun Video, Question Did You Tie This Fly Wearing The Vest & Tie 😂😂😂

[@SavageFlies]

I did John! I've decided that on video days I'm just going to tie right after work without changing out of my work clothes. I'll just say it's a nod to the old timers I'm always talking about on the channel here. Now I doubt I'll put on a tie and blazer the next time I'm on the river, like the true gentlemen of the sport did back in the day, but maybe someday. :-)

[@johnsamothrakis4621]

@@SavageFlies Love it Matt 👍

[@harleymandk]

Ahrex writes : "The flies were inked by mr. Roy Angus Thompson (the name of the flies are his initials) in New Brunswick in the early 1900s and do, as such, belong to the very early hair winged salmon flies." I will vote for Roy !

[@SavageFlies]

Excellent note! I appreciate you jumping in to drop some more knowledge on us. :-)

[@seanpfeiffer1726]

Hey Matt I have a question you said in this video to change things up and have fun. I'm a saltwater fly guy and has there or have you ever heard of anyone changing up a fresh water fly or a salmon fly to a saltwater pattern . I'm new at tying and I was just wondering cause some of these patterns your tying up might work I don't know.

[@SavageFlies]

Absolutely Sean! I think some of the patterns the legendary Lefty Kreh used for saltwater were originally big trout streamers or probably even inspired by salmon or steelhead flies. I'm not 100% certain that's the case but it wouldn't surprise me at all. But basically, I'd recommend just giving it a try! I've taken a few classic trout streamers and tied them bigger on some bass hooks and put them in my warmwater box. And some I've caught fish with, and some I haven't. But also, when I don't catch fish, it's not usually because of the fly I'm using. :-)

[@workforit2270]

Holy Hell! That's Bitchen! Definitely putting this on my top 5, tie fly list. So far, The Watson Fancy is the suit & tie fly and fun to tie. But this would be the body gard. Can't wait to build this. Thanks Matt! Side note. Would you mind tieing a Balanced fly pin fly pattern? Thanks again.

[@SavageFlies]

Thanks Casey! I don't know what a balanced fly pin pattern is. :-) I'll look it up and if it's within my skill set, sure, I'll add it to the to-do list!

[@tompeterson559]

My guess is that both men tied a similar pattern but then some guy with a media empire got involved... I also had a laugh about it being a salmon fly, or a trout streamer, or panfish attractor. How many great fishing stories involve not using the accepted fly/lure/bait? My conclusion, the biggest fish out of water this ever caught was Joseph Pulitzer! It's a great pattern and I'm sure I'll use it to catch some salmonoids up here! Thanks for the fun tie!

[@SavageFlies]

You bet Tom! And funny you mention Joseph Pulitzer as I did have in my notes that he was indeed the son of the famed media mogul who lends his name to the Pulitzer Prize. I just forgot to mention that in my intro. :-)

[@michaeljmckinnon2960]

Great Job Matt. I'm a salmon fly guy myself I tie a lot of them. Do you fish Atlantic Salmon? If you ever get up here to NS let me know, bunch of us Veterans up here salmon fish a lot and we would be glad to have you take along.

[@SavageFlies]

Thanks Michael! And I have never been salmon fishing but, oh boy, it's definitely on my to-do list! And I hear Nova Scotia is beautiful. I'm going to tag this comment and when I can get up there I'll pull it back up and let you know. Have a great weekend my friend. :-)

[@michaeljmckinnon2960]

@@SavageFlies Matt anytime. We have a group of Military Veterans that fish quite regularly you would fit right in my friend. Mike

[@SavageFlies]

Outstanding! I might be able to convince my wife that a trip to NS would be a great time. 👍

[@michaeljmckinnon2960]

@@SavageFlies The world famous Margaree River is open for salmon from June until Halloween although it gets warm and low during the heat of July/Aug. We take a group of Physically and mentally disabled Veterans every year end June with the Heroes Mending on the Fly Canada Program

[@millholland738]

love your comment my original teacher said to use whatever hook you had in the 60

[@SavageFlies]

Absolutely right John! Hope you have a great weekend my friend. :-)

[@patgentile8521]

I agree with you matt have fun with tying fly that's what it's about or it would be work not fly fishing great fly ( like the neck tie too) LoL

[@SavageFlies]

Appreciate it Pat! Hope you have a great weekend my friend. :-)

[@theinvasivespecies1119]

I agree with your intro

[@CBL138]

Nice RAT

[@nkosipwl]

It is a very good Seatrout fly….