The Bivisible and other venerable old trout flies

bivisible, originally uploaded by mister anchovy.

When I started to fly fish, I did so armed with my brother's treasured copy of Ray Bergman's 1938 classic, Trout. Dr. Burke's beautiful drawings of old fly patterns transported me to another time. My brother used to tie a lot of those old patterns, including quill winged dries. My own flies are less romantic perhaps and more utilitarian. This site features many old patterns and includes recipes, so you can tie them at home in preparation for the new season on your favourite trout stream. The Bivisible, pictured here, remains a killing pattern. It skitters around the surface like a caddis, or perhaps a terrestrial fly. Careful when you tie the Bivisible, though. If you don't get is just right, this palmered fly will twist your leader until it is an unusable tangle.