WFS 288 - Tying Dry Flies for Trout with Nick Pionessa
02/08/22 • 79 min
1 Listener
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/288
Presented By: Trxstle, Dette Flies, Togens Fly Shop, Fly Fishing Film Tour
Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors
Nick Pionessa, a professional fly tier from New York takes us on a journey today of becoming a full-time production fly tier, tying over 100 dry flies for trout a day. We hear about the story of how he got started fly tying and eventually made a living out of it. Nick walks us through some of the most effective and requested dry fly patterns.
This episode is loaded with a bunch of dry fly tying tips. You're going to want to stop what you're doing and get on your workstation while listening to this.
Discover Nick's Top 5 Dry Fly Patterns! Learn from a pro to become a pro. If you're passionate at fly tying, you're going to love this one!
Dry Flies for Trout Show Notes with Nick Pionessa
04:13 - One of Nick's first fly rods is an Eagle Claw fly rod
04:28 - Nick took a fly tying class in high school with Jim Keech
05:15 - He does a little guiding in the great lakes
06:00 - Rick Kustich used to own a fly shop in Albion Oak Orchard, NY - his partner Bob Morrisey gave Nick his first fly tying order
10:37 - When Nick worked in a fly shop, he tied 100 trout flies a day
18:15 - Tim Flagler was on the podcast at WFS 279 and he shared some great tips on fly tying
20:01 - Nick's flies go as far as Alaska
21:27 - Last year, Nick's most popular fly was the Peacock Emerger
26:26 - Parachute Spinner
31:59 - Nick describes his technique in tying the Peacock Emerger
35:19 - Nick describes the Para-Spinner technique
36:46 - Most of Nick's parachute patterns have poly yarn material for the wing
39:55 - Calf tail is his least favorite material to work with
40:55 - The Disabled Dun Hendrickson
46:47 - If Nick could only have one dry fly, he would choose the Sparkle Dun (Craig Matthews original)
48:52 - One of the dry flies that Nick fished with the most is the Yellow Bodied Stimulator
50:10 - The Thorax by Mike Lawson lost some of the points that its originally known for
55:06 - The big no-nos in fishing the fish that are actively spawning
58:10 - For steelhead, Nick tied and used the Bill Spey a lot
1:01:40 - Collins Hackle in New York is recommended for the second time - Tim Cammisa recommends them too
1:02:30 - Nick gives some tips on tying small dry flies
You have to see what you're doing - have proper magnification, proper visibility, wear glasses if necessary Use proper thread If you're a beginner tier, use half of what you started with as far as the material - try to keep everything as thin as possible Get some good photos of the actual bug that you're trying to make a fly pattern of Be as familiar as you possibly can be with what you're trying to imitate
1:03:30 - For threads, Nick recommends Veevus 16/0
1:06:34 - Nick describes how he does his shanks
Dry Flies for Trout Conclusion with Nick Pionessa
Nick Pionessa, a professional fly tier from New York told us his story of how he became a full-time production fly tier, tying over 100 flies a day - how he got started fly tying and eventually made a living out of it. Nick mentioned some of the most effective and requested dry fly patterns.
We discovered Nick's Top 5 Dry Fly Patterns! Now we feel so much more motivated to get on that vise.
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/288
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/288
Presented By: Trxstle, Dette Flies, Togens Fly Shop, Fly Fishing Film Tour
Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors
Nick Pionessa, a professional fly tier from New York takes us on a journey today of becoming a full-time production fly tier, tying over 100 dry flies for trout a day. We hear about the story of how he got started fly tying and eventually made a living out of it. Nick walks us through some of the most effective and requested dry fly patterns.
This episode is loaded with a bunch of dry fly tying tips. You're going to want to stop what you're doing and get on your workstation while listening to this.
Discover Nick's Top 5 Dry Fly Patterns! Learn from a pro to become a pro. If you're passionate at fly tying, you're going to love this one!
Dry Flies for Trout Show Notes with Nick Pionessa
04:13 - One of Nick's first fly rods is an Eagle Claw fly rod
04:28 - Nick took a fly tying class in high school with Jim Keech
05:15 - He does a little guiding in the great lakes
06:00 - Rick Kustich used to own a fly shop in Albion Oak Orchard, NY - his partner Bob Morrisey gave Nick his first fly tying order
10:37 - When Nick worked in a fly shop, he tied 100 trout flies a day
18:15 - Tim Flagler was on the podcast at WFS 279 and he shared some great tips on fly tying
20:01 - Nick's flies go as far as Alaska
21:27 - Last year, Nick's most popular fly was the Peacock Emerger
26:26 - Parachute Spinner
31:59 - Nick describes his technique in tying the Peacock Emerger
35:19 - Nick describes the Para-Spinner technique
36:46 - Most of Nick's parachute patterns have poly yarn material for the wing
39:55 - Calf tail is his least favorite material to work with
40:55 - The Disabled Dun Hendrickson
46:47 - If Nick could only have one dry fly, he would choose the Sparkle Dun (Craig Matthews original)
48:52 - One of the dry flies that Nick fished with the most is the Yellow Bodied Stimulator
50:10 - The Thorax by Mike Lawson lost some of the points that its originally known for
55:06 - The big no-nos in fishing the fish that are actively spawning
58:10 - For steelhead, Nick tied and used the Bill Spey a lot
1:01:40 - Collins Hackle in New York is recommended for the second time - Tim Cammisa recommends them too
1:02:30 - Nick gives some tips on tying small dry flies
You have to see what you're doing - have proper magnification, proper visibility, wear glasses if necessary Use proper thread If you're a beginner tier, use half of what you started with as far as the material - try to keep everything as thin as possible Get some good photos of the actual bug that you're trying to make a fly pattern of Be as familiar as you possibly can be with what you're trying to imitate
1:03:30 - For threads, Nick recommends Veevus 16/0
1:06:34 - Nick describes how he does his shanks
Dry Flies for Trout Conclusion with Nick Pionessa
Nick Pionessa, a professional fly tier from New York told us his story of how he became a full-time production fly tier, tying over 100 flies a day - how he got started fly tying and eventually made a living out of it. Nick mentioned some of the most effective and requested dry fly patterns.
We discovered Nick's Top 5 Dry Fly Patterns! Now we feel so much more motivated to get on that vise.
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/288
Previous Episode
WFS 287 - The Destination Angler Podcast with Steve Haigh
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/287
Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors
Steve Haigh, host of the Destination Angler Podcast is here to share the why behind his fly fishing podcast. He shares his most downloaded episodes on the destination topics and the podcasts that he listens to. Find out how Steve got into podcasting and what he enjoys most about it.
We also talk about a couple of his past guests he's had, his bucket-list guests (one of them will be on his show very soon), and what we can expect from the Destination Angler Podcast this year. Plus, Steve has an epic Yellowstone story to tell and it's pretty funny and scary! You got to hear this one.
The Destination Angler Show Notes with Steve Haigh
03:09 - The Destination Angler Podcast is now on show 55
05:12 - Evan Dowdy was the first guest at The Destination Angler podcast - listen to that episode here
10:08 - Indiana's got some smallmouth bass (35 mins from where Steve lives) - Steve interviewed Chad Miller, a guide in Sugar Creek, Indiana
11:14 - Steve fishes for smallmouth on Sugar Creek during the summer
11:54 - Tim Landwehr was on Steve's podcast - Tim was also on the podcast at WFS 273
12:15 - "The best smallmouth river you've never heard of" - The Menominee River
12:37 - Tim Landwehr used to fish with Dave Whitlock all the time - here's that picture of Tim and Dave
13:18 - Dave Whitlock was on the podcast at WFS 160
13:39 - Joe Humphreys was also on the podcast at WFS 073
14:31 - Joe Humphreys was also on the Destination Angler podcast (two parts) - part 1 and part 2
16:38 - The 3 guests that Steve would want to have on his show before his podcast ends (if ever):
Dave Whitlock Tom Rosenbauer Someone who doesn't need to be famous - someone who lives, breaths, and eats fly fishing for a living
21:45 - Steve plans to fish the Henry's Fork
21:56 - Brett High is the region 6 biologist for the state of Idaho - he was on Steve's show last summer
22:45 - Steve did a show about Cache la Poudre River in Colorado with Joe McHugh
25:44 - Steve's most popular show is when he talked about the Slough Creek with Max Yzaguirre
27:16 - Steve tells the story of when he organized a trip to Penn's Creek and how difficult it was to fish that water - he had Jonas Price on the show, a funny guy who owns a fly shop there
28:24 - The Pere Marquette River with Chris Raines podcast - Steve went steelhead fishing with Chris
28:56 - The Rio Grande is a really great fishery
29:49 - Steve started out fishing for Carp in Toledo Ohio
31:12 - There's a fly shop in Indianapolis called Fly Masters
37:10 - That episode about Penn's Creek was picked up by Domenick Swentosky from Trout Bitten - Domenick was also on the podcast at WFS 140
38:41 - Steve listens to a lot of podcasts - see below for a list of his favorites
40:41 - Steve tells the story of his epic Yellowstone experience
48:40 - They go to the Driftless Area in Wisconsin for annual trout fishing
49:39 - Nelson Spring Creek coming up for Steve and the crew
50:39 - Steve gives an overview of what we can expect from the Destination Angler crew this year
51:56 - Jeff Perin was on Steve's podcast where they talked about the lakes of Central Oregon - Jeff was also on the podcast at WFS 103
53:02 - Steve did a show about the Nipigon River in Canada
The Destination Angler Conclusion with Steve Haigh
Steve Haigh, host of the Destination Angler Podcast, shared the why behind his fly fishing podcast. He shared his most downloaded episodes on the destination topics and the podcasts that he listens to. We found out how Steve got into podcasting and what he enjoys most about it.
We also talked about a couple of his past guests he's had, his bucket-list guests, and what we can expect from the Destination Angler Podcast this year.
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/287
Next Episode
WFS 289 - Top Saltwater Fly Fishing Destinations with Joe Ballarini from Tail Magazine
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/289
Presented By: Fly Fishing Film Tour, Trxstle, Dette Flies, Togens Fly Shop
Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors
Joe Ballarini, the headman at Tail Magazine and Strung Magazine shares the story of why he created one of the only print magazines in salt and how it all came to be. He describes what it's like working as a full-time ER doctor, being the Editor in Chief of two magazines, and a dad at the same time. Joe also mentions some saltwater fly fishing trips that we can take part in this year along with the Tail crew and the things you need to prepare for.
Discover the Top 5 Saltwater Fly Fishing Destinations that should be added to our bucket list!
Top Saltwater Fishing Destination Show Notes with Joe Ballarini
5:58 - Joe has been living in Miami Florida, on and off for 30 years - bought a place there in 2009
6:34 - Joe noticed that there was always a lot of trash in the fisheries - he'd pick up everything he'd see
7:21 - Joe started a website called Fly Fish Bonehead - an informational website about saltwater fly fishing and conservation
7:47 - Tail Fly Fishing Magazine came about so that people would visit the website about conservation messages for free - in 2 years they had about 36,000 digital readers
08:23 - Six months after Tail was launched, Fly Fishing and Salt Waters Magazine, one of the dominant magazines at the time closed up shops - then their audience found Tail
9:30 - Tail took off when the print magazine started
10:52 - Orvis and Thomas & Thomas were supporters early on
11:46 - Tail Fly Fishing Magazine is a bi-monthly publication, 100-120 pages, 80% content and 20% ads
12:52 - Tail Magazine is made out of thick high-grade paper and it's waterproof - Joe describes what it looks like
13:10 - Joe mentions some of the Tail Editors and Contributors - click here to see the whole roster
14:57 - Strung Magazine was born in Dec 2018 - about bird hunting, duck hunting, big game, fly fishing, food, and travel (often compared to Gray's Sporting Journal)
16:23 - Joe works full time as an ER doctor
18:08 - Aside from Tail, there's another saltwater fly fishing magazine in Australia
21:03 - The travel section in the back of Tail Magazine has a variety of trips you can take part in
21:15 - Tail is hosting a permit fishing tournament in Punta Allen in conjunction with Punta Allen Fishing Club and the Grand Slam Fishing Lodge - to raise funds for the school of Punta Allen
24:14 - The Tail crew are going back to El Pescador on April 24 to 30
29:25 - Joe puts in 8 to 10 hours a day for Tails whether or not he works 12 hours shift in the ER
31:54 - Joe describes his Maldives trip experience and notes it as one of his favorites
35:12 - You can catch Tarpon, Permit, Bonefish, and Snook in Mexico and Belize
38:20 - Joe discovered a great Tarpon fishing spot in Turtoguero, Costa Rica
39:54 - Joe and Chico are going to Flamingo (they might have gone already as you read this)
40:10 - The guys from Thomas & Thomas are going to Key West Florida and Joe is joining them in March - Joe mentioned some more Tail hosted trips this year
43:55 - Joe's advice for people joining their trips is.. "don't overpack". A 7 and a 10 weight rod is good enough
46:44 - Tail is hosting another trip to the Bahamas in November this year which will be led by George V. Roberts Jr - George is the author of Master the Cast and a student of Joan Wulff
50:57 - Tail is has a good relationship with Deneki
58:52 - Bob Branham is one of the legendary guides in Keys
1:02:40 - Check out the Perfectionist Leaders by Tail Magazine here
1:03:49 - The Razor Scissors
Saltwater Fly Fishing Conclusion with Joe Ballarini
Joe Ballarini, founder of Tail Magazine and Strung Magazine shared the story of why he created one of the only print magazines in salt and how it all came to be. He described what it's like working as a full-time ER doctor, being the Editor in Chief of two magazines, and a dad at the same time. Joe also mentioned some saltwater fly fishing trips that we can take part in this year along with the Tail crew and the things you need to prepare for.
We discovered the Top 5 Saltwater Fly Fishing Destinations that should be added to our bucket list!
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/289
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