They go by names like Bloody Butcher, Crazy Goof, Elk Hair Humpy, Floating Fool, Goofus Bug, Mormon Girl Squirrel Tail, Devil Nymph and Little Jack Horner.
They are flies. Not bugs, but imitations of bugs and just about anything else fish eat. They are not a nuisance, in this case, but art . . . fur and feathers and thread arranged in patterns to look like see-through wings, fuzzy bodies and tiny heads.These are fishermen's flies . . . man-made and detailed right down to the antennae and tail. Tantalizing tidbits for a hungry trout.
Wet, dry, nymphs and streams, mainly. From the more popular patterns like the Gold Ribbed Hare's Ear and Royal Wulff and Dark Spruce to patterns built from the creator's imagination and bearing secret names.
Common to all flies, though, is that they are all hand-tied, one at a time, piece by piece, around a bare hook, and by fishermen.
But fly tying is not new. Books were written about special flies back in the mid-1500s, back when rods were long strips of wood and line was made of horse hair.
Those early flies were elaborate creations, as much for show and recognition as for catching fish, reports Mickey Anderson of Angler's Inn, recognized as one of the state's top fly-fishing experts.
Here in America, fly tiers took a more modest approach to the art. Effectiveness became far more important than show. Basic patterns proved adequate for catching fish. Since then, fly tying has grown and modernized.
Today there are more than 400 patterns, "just for trout here in Utah alone, and who knows how many more patterns that people have just made up," says Anderson.
All for a sport that is currently experiencing accelerated growth. A sport that starts with a nine-foot rod, a hand-crank reel and floating fly line, and progresses into hand-tied hoppers, nymphs, humpys and renegades.
Anderson points out that, "There has been a big increase in the number of people getting into fly fishing the last few years. And once they're into fly fishing, tying is the next step.
"There's always a reason to tie. Flies for friends and for your own use. Then, too, things are always changing. Not that the old patterns don't work, it's just that people are always coming up with new materials and new patterns to replace the old ones. There's a real excitement in catching a fish on a new fly, especially if it's a hot one."
New, for example, is the discovery of a feather called "Cul de Canard." Translated, said Anderson, "It means `butt of a duck.' Feathers from the backside of a duck are saturated with oils. Use them in a dry fly and they make the fly float. The problem is the colors are limited."
To tie flies, a vice, hackle pliers, scissors and a bobbin (a thread holder) are all the tools that are necessary. Expect to pay about $40 for the four items. Enough materials to start tying will cost another $25. Start-up kits for the beginner are available.
From this point, the best direction is to go to fly-tying classes. Books about different flies are also readily available.
Anderson suggests new fly tiers begin with a simple pattern like a Woolly Bugger, then move on to more elaborate ties, eventually getting up to a fly such as the Sir Herbert, which features 23 different materials. The wings alone include feathers from a swan, peacock, turkey and bustard (a relative of a crane).
More common flies are not that elaborate. A Royal Wulff, for example, has a tail of elk hair, a body of peacock herl with a red floss band, hair from a calf's tail for the wings, and a hackle of feathers from a Rhode Island red rooster.
Learning to tie flies is not difficult and, points out Anderson, it's not something fly fishermen give up once they've mastered it. "It's a lifelong hobby that is entertaining and rewarding," he said.
In most cases, he continues, in the beginning, people tie a wide range of flies, from wets to streams, "but generally settle down to tying about a dozen of their favorite patterns. Also, they start inventing. They'll come up with all kinds of creations. Some work and some don't."
Anderson suggests that those interested in learning to tie flies look into fly-tying kits and classes.
He used to discourage people from buying the kits, but says the new kits feature better equipment and more useful materials for tying western flies.
Classes are taught through several organizations, including:
Anglers' Inn - Classes begin twice monthly. Fee of $35 includes equipment and materials. Call 466-3921 in Salt Lake, 566-3929 in Sandy and 621-6481 in Ogden.
Spinner Fall Fly Shop - Classes are held once a week through the winter. Fee of $35 includes materials. Call 583-2602.
Wasatch Mountain Flyfishing - Classes begin on Jan. 16 for individuals. Group classes are on Friday and Saturday is Open Fly Tying in the shop. Cost is $30 for six-week class. Call 571-2451.
Western Rivers Flyfisher - Classes are offered Mondays and Wednesdays. Those interested can place their names on a list. Sessions are held once a week for four weeks. Cost is $45. Call 521-6424.