Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2024 - 12
ADVANCED
From Field to Fly
by Tyler Frantz
photos by the author
I
12
f there's anything more rewarding than catching a fish
on a fly tied with your own two hands, it is doing so
with fly tying material salvaged from game animals
you've harvested afield.
Opportunities are plentiful in Pennsylvania
to pursue both big and small game ranging from
deer, bear and turkeys to waterfowl, upland game
birds, rabbits and squirrels. The state also boasts an
abundance of furbearing species with hunting or
trapping seasons running from fall through winter for
qualified license holders.
These animals' fur and feathers may provide excellent
fly tying material imaginative anglers can put to good
use on the tying vise. Utilizing these natural fibers helps
maximize the resources of the harvest, prove highly
effective on the trout stream and provide a sense of
satisfaction for a full circle experience.
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater
Wing feathers from successful goose hunts offer useful
biots-the short, stiff fibers found along the leading edge
of a bird's primary wing feathers. These thick strands are
good as tails for stoneflies and antennae or legs in various
insect imitations. Wild turkey wing feathers, although a
bit thinner, can serve the same purpose.
The flank feathers of wood duck drakes are highly prized
as speckled wings on dry flies for various fly patterns. Tiers
pay top dollar for these feathers, but waterfowl hunters get
them for the cost of a hunting license.
For those plying upland fields instead of staking out
secluded creeks, the long rump feathers of ring-necked
pheasants provide ample supply for one of the most
versatile nymph patterns, the pheasant tail, which mimics
mayfly nymphs under the surface.
Bird hunters searching laurel flats, timber stands
and clearcuts for ruffed grouse can take advantage of
the mottled shoulder feathers just off the wings to tie
enticing soft hackle wet flies to run on tandem rigs in
early spring.
Successful small game hunters can fill their crockpots
with wholesome stews and also restock their fly boxes with
fishandboat.com
http://www.fishandboat.com
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2024
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2024
Contents
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2024 - Cover1
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2024 - Cover2
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2024 - Contents
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2024 - 4
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2024 - 5
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2024 - 6
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2024 - 7
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2024 - 8
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2024 - 9
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2024 - 10
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2024 - 11
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2024 - 12
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2024 - 13
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2024 - 14
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2024 - 15
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2024 - 16
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2024 - 17
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2024 - 18
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2024 - 19
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2024 - 20
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2024 - 21
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2024 - 22
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2024 - 23
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2024 - 24
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Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2024 - 26
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2024 - 27
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Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2024 - 37
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Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2024 - 40
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2024 - 41
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Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2024 - 48
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2024 - Cover3
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2024 - Cover4
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