September Fly Tying Night - Coachman Trude & Secret Weapon

Join us as we gather to tie flies, share tips, and connect with fellow fly fishing enthusiasts!

This event is free, but space at the tying table is limited - please RSVP at info@ncriversandridges.com to save your seat! Everyone is welcome to attend, socialize and watch - even if you are not tying.

For beginners interested in tying fundamentals, stop by Carolina Mountain Sports before the event. Shop owner Richard Griggs is happy to help share the basics of tying to get you started.

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This month we're tying two great patterns to get you geared up for trout fishing - the Coachman Trude and Secret Weapon.

The Secret Weapon is credited to Allene Hall, "True Mistress of the Vise". An accomplished tyer from Bryson City, Allene and her husband Fred were avid fly tyers and originated numerous flies in the 50s and 60s, supplying for fly shops throughout the region and across the country. The Secret Weapon, similar to a prince nymph, will fish throughout the winter.

The Coachman Trude, is a more suggestive than imitative pattern. The Coachman Trude can convincingly portray different life stages - ride it on the top of the water as a dry fly, or submerge in a swing as an emerger pattern.

Bring your vise, tools, and materials. If you don’t have everything you need, no worries, materials will be available for purchase on-site at Carolina Mountain Sports. Drinks available for purchase at Wine Maestro next door to bring over to the meetup!

Details:
When: September 25, 2025 6:30PM
Where: Carolina Mountain Sports
What to Bring: Your vise, tools, and materials (or purchase on-site). See below for materials list.
Extras: Drinks available next door at Wine Maestro

Materials:
For the Secret Weapon...
- Hook: 9671 Mustad or equivalent, size 8-12
- Tail: Golden pheasant tippets
- Body: Peacock herl
- Wing: White goose biots, forked, tied flat wing
- Black thread, or to match
- Wire, to wrap ribbing and add weight

For the Coachman Trude...
- Hook: 94840 Mustad or equivalent dry fly hook, size 10-16
- Tail: Golden pheasant tippets
- Body: Peacock herl
- Wing: Natural Calftail
- Brown hackle
- Dark brown/black thread, or to match

As always, substitute materials/sizes/colors however you like, or with whatever you have on hand that still does the trick. Bring what you can, and we will have a few materials here to share.

We can’t wait to see you there!