Mac Warner - Saskatchewan's Mr Fly Fishing
Mac Warner Sept 2007 Twin Lake, Manitoba.
Tiger Trout ( Photo by C.T. Winters )
Some 19 years ago I met a very interesting man in a tackle shop in Moose Jaw Sask. He was talking with another customer as I walked in but paused to cheerfully greet me as I perused the goodies on display.
This was the start of a whole new adventure in my life, one that included learning about fly fishing, fly tying, black powder muzzle loaders, archery and much more. The best thing about visiting Mac’s Fly Shop was the enthusiastic teaching and stories that accompanied the equipment. The shop was also a place where one could connect with fellow enthusiasts of hunting and fishing.
Mac has since retired from the retail storefront in Moose Jaw but still helps folks to acquire tackle, flies and equipment. He spends a good deal of his time fishing and teaching others about 2 of his main passions fly fishing and fly tying.
More than once I have watched as he gave an impromptu tying lesson at a picnic or kitchen table. It’s cool to see the wide-eyed faces watching, as he spins deer hair with a Dubbit tool to create some of his trademark patterns. The author of a variety of books and instructional CD-Rom’s, Mac patterns are tied and fished all over Canada and the States and beyond.
Many of Mac’s patterns are very simple and easy to tie. Leaving many amazed at how effectively they also catch fish. He also is known for his skill and craftsmanship. As many of the flies featured in the beautiful coffee table book A Compendium of Canadian Fly Patterns, were tied by Warner.
This was the start of a whole new adventure in my life, one that included learning about fly fishing, fly tying, black powder muzzle loaders, archery and much more. The best thing about visiting Mac’s Fly Shop was the enthusiastic teaching and stories that accompanied the equipment. The shop was also a place where one could connect with fellow enthusiasts of hunting and fishing.
Mac has since retired from the retail storefront in Moose Jaw but still helps folks to acquire tackle, flies and equipment. He spends a good deal of his time fishing and teaching others about 2 of his main passions fly fishing and fly tying.
More than once I have watched as he gave an impromptu tying lesson at a picnic or kitchen table. It’s cool to see the wide-eyed faces watching, as he spins deer hair with a Dubbit tool to create some of his trademark patterns. The author of a variety of books and instructional CD-Rom’s, Mac patterns are tied and fished all over Canada and the States and beyond.
Many of Mac’s patterns are very simple and easy to tie. Leaving many amazed at how effectively they also catch fish. He also is known for his skill and craftsmanship. As many of the flies featured in the beautiful coffee table book A Compendium of Canadian Fly Patterns, were tied by Warner.
One of Mac’s famous patterns is the M.U.D. caddis. Named by Bob Sheedy (a fly fishing guru to many and a trout bum to others).
Sheedy coined the acronym to represent "Mac’s utterly disgusting caddis". The name stuck after that. You can read this story and more in the introduction by Sheedy for Warner’s book, My Favorite Western Canadian Fly Patterns.
The M.U.D. Caddis
Sheedy coined the acronym to represent "Mac’s utterly disgusting caddis". The name stuck after that. You can read this story and more in the introduction by Sheedy for Warner’s book, My Favorite Western Canadian Fly Patterns.
The M.U.D. Caddis
Hook -Dry Fly size 10 to 14
Thread -Matching deer hair color
Body -deer hair ( Spun & trimmed in a V shape on sides )
The above M.U.D Caddis was tied by Mac as he gave a tying lesson at my kitchen table a few summers ago. Below is an olive version, that I tied to demonstrate different views, to show the angles for trimming the deer hair. Use different color deer hair to match your lake's caddis fly population.
Top View
Bottom View
The M.U.D. Caddis, like the Goddard Caddis is basically unsinkable. It's main function is to provide a silhouette from below that simulates the emerging fly. You can spin the deer hair traditionally or put it in a dubbing loop for added strength. To see more of Mac Warner's flies order your copy of " A Compendium of Canadian Fly Patterns " It can be viewed at this link
In closing I will just quote Mac's famous line " Keep your feet dry and your lines tight " Cheers! C.T Winters
posted by Todd 66 @ 11:50 AM
1 Comments:
Hi Todd , got the mail and checked the blog, very nice and thanks for all the good words. I will have to get my act together to live up to all that. Keep the feet dry and I will get in touch when I head over your way, Mac.
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