Ed McCoy is one of the best fly tiers and I’ve had the opportunity to spend many of sessions watching him master his craft. Erik Rambo captured this picture of Ed tying flies and as usual paying extra attention to the little details.
Mangled Fly contributor Erik Rambo captures Ed McCoy tying big flies late at night. Something about the process of tying a new fly for the next day, that gives the angler more confidence. Taking what you have learned from the previous day and implementing that knowledge. Ed McCoy is a master at this craft.
Here is a comment from a happy customer regarding the Midnight Creeper.
Downloaded the Midnight Creeper video, amazed myself that I could do it given my Luddite acumen with computers. In looking at the fly’s action in the water wonderfully illustrated from a below the water shot I figured there was no way an average fly tier like myself could possibly tie it. The rabbit strip legs move like a real frogs and the foam cap would be way too complex for me to cut out. However, in a very well filmed illustration it is really a fly that anyone with basic tying skills can readily do. Ed’s clear and stepwise tying prompted by Jon Ray’s questions, that often were the very ones I was thinking of, makes this a great video to watch if you want a killer fly for night time fishing. The one thing that can drive you a bit crazy is Ed wraps backwards around the hook. I tried tying the Midnight Creeper but on a large streamer hook because I don’t have a bass hook yet and got a great result if its action in my bathtub is any test. As I don’t have that neat cutter to use on the foam I free hand cut it out and got a passable result. Now if I can just get a chance to use it! – Doc
Ed McCoy and I (Jon Ray) will be tying some signature trout and steelhead patterns on Jan 28th at Schmohz Brewery , contact Brian at Nomad Anglers . To sign up for the seminar call the Grand Rapids location (616) 805-4393. This is a first come first serve and space is limited. Looking forward to the good night of tying and some new beer.
It is the season of the big bug, with Hex grabbing so much of the attention anglers really do over look the early June season. As Iyso’s, stones, and now the “new” Manistee river Gray Drake. As I was talking to Ed McCoy last night, when do you ever remember seeing so many Gray Drakes? Will be fun to watch over the next couple years, how this hatch and spinner fall effects our June fishing. Especially the early season, it has been a day saver some nights this year. Not that we didn’t have Gray’s before, but we do not remember in our short guide careers having this many, and for this long. I’m so glad that I had McCoy’s Gray Drake Spinner from Orvis this year. It is still undefeated haven’t been refused by a fish yet.
Kean O. below with a stonefly eating michigan brown trout.
A gray drake on it’s last leg. With the next couple days coming back to normal, look in the evening sky for this great bug. Also if you havn’t already picked up your gray drake spinners pick up a hand full of Ed McCoy’s Gray Drake Spinner.
Grand Traverse Bay Smallmouth Bass