Charlie Schlinski
aka: Ukiah Charlie - Ukiah, California
I've been fly fishing for about 48 years, tying flies for 44 years, and building rods for
42 years. Sold my first custom rod, a Silaflex B36 boat rod in 1958, and have only
recently started to slow down when it has become less fun and more of a
chore. My eyes are getting old and my enthusiasm has somewhat waned with age.
I've run a fly shop; tied commercially (something I will never do again); was in
law enforcement for 12 years before having to retire after a heart attack, and have just
plain enjoyed myself for the past ten years..
Since retirement all I do is fish and hunt and keep the better half happy.
I love working with kids, teaching them to fly cast, fly fish, and tie flies.
Have some older (15-18) learning to build rods, and am also involved in getting some
of the older folks, who generally don't get out, going fishing with me on local lakes.
This isn't fly fishing, but they sure have some great yarns and enjoy a day on the water.
I spent over 20 years in the US Army, traveled all over the world and have had a vast amount of great experiences
in foreign places, fishing and hunting. Some of my greatest fishing experiences include time with Joe Brooks in
Terra del Fuego in the late 60's; in Central America chasing giant tarpon; in Japan catching bass in the
shadow of Mt Fuji; in Austria and Germany fishing world renown waters, and even using
concussion grenades in Vietnam to snag a couple of trout for dinner. I still fish about 100 days a year, hunt about the same.
That leaves time for my wife of 30 years to do with me as she likes for the rest.
Planning to start some limited guiding next year. I'm still learning the water and variations, plus getting the licenses
necessary, and making sure the boat is up to snuff.
Fished one day on Pyramid Lake in Nevada recently (March 2000) and caught 20 Cutthroats up to 28" long. The one in the photo to the right is the first trout and measured 26-1/2" long. It was caught on the first cast with a brand new rod and a new style fly. The trip would have been a success even if I hadn't caught another one.
Ed's Note: Charlie not only ties large flies but itsy bitsy ones as well. Pictured to the right are some tied down to #28 and #32 and they still maintain excellent detail. That requires talent and patience.
Select one of Charlie's flies:
Pearl Brite Lite Steelhead Fly
Be sure to visit our on-line store at
http://www.flytyingworld.com/angling/index.html
for your tying needs.
Tier: Charlie Schlinski
Hook: Tiemco 811S, Size 4/0.
Thread: Chartreuse Single Strand Floss.
Underwing: Pearl Angel Hair topped
with white bucktail and then a little
chartreuse bucktail.
bright green Flashabou, clear green
Flashabou, chartreuse Angel Hair,
chartreuse bucktail, dark green Angel Hair.
Gill Plate: Widgeon flank feather.
Gills: Three wraps of red chenille.
Hackle: Grizzly dyed chartreuse.
Eyes: Bead chain, XL, painted over with fabric
paint, then coated with
varnish when dried.
Head: Chartreuse Crystal Chenille.
Note: Each step of the tying process is secured,
tied off, and a drop of
super glue applied, including head.
Select Another Fly:
Pearl Brite Lite Steelhead Fly
Return to Charlie's Introduction.
Tier: Charlie Schlinski
Hook: Tiemco 7999,
size 4 to 10.
Thread: White Nymo.
Tail: Hot orange bucktail.
Body Rear Half: Pearl Lite Bright, dubbed tight.
Body Front Half: Hot orange Crystal Chenille.
Hackle: White, or hot orange.
Eyes: Silver bead chain.
Select Another Fly:
Pearl Brite Lite Steelhead Fly
Return to Charlie's Introduction.
Tier: Charlie Schlinski
Hook: Eagle Claw 314,
size 2/0.
Thread: White single strand floss.
Eyes: Spirit River dumbells with paste in eyes.
Wing: See note.
Note: Since this fly rides upside down, only a little material goes on what would normally be the wing on top of the fly. I used a bunch of white bucktail on this fly. Then I turned the hook over and overwing on bottom of fly by layering pearl angel hair, silver Flashabou, holographic Flashbou, white bucktail, and either blue or green Angel Hair.
Select Another Fly:
Pearl Brite Lite Steelhead Fly
Return to Charlie's Introduction.
Tier: Charlie Schlinski
Hook: Tiemco 7999, Size 2/0-6.
Thread: Black Nymo.
Tail: Purple hackle fibers or purple bucktail.
Body: Purple Lite Bright, dubbed very tight.
Rib: Gold tinsel.
Wing: Orange bucktail.
Hackle: Purple.
Eyes: Gold bead chain, XL.
This fly was designed to go deep in dirty water, thus the large eyes. You can
use smaller for slower water.
Select Another Fly:
Pearl Brite Lite Steelhead Fly
Return to Charlie's Introduction.
Tier: Charlie Schlinski
Hook: Tiemco 7999 Size 4.
Thread: Orange Nymo.
Feelers: Grizzly hackle dyed hot orange and splayed out.
Mouth and Tentacles: Hot orange bucktail.
Eyes: Black beads on 30lb mono.
Body -Rear 1/6th: Hot orange Crystal Chenille.
Body - Front 5/6th: Yellow and black or orange and black varigated chenille.
Hackle: Grizzly dyed hot orange and palmered over varigated chenille - clipped on top.
Caprice: Gadwall or pintail flank feather colored orange with marking pen.
Select Another Fly:
Pearl Brite Lite Steelhead Fly
Return to Charlie's Introduction.
Pearl Brite Lite Steelhead Fly
Tier: Charlie Schlinski
Hook: Tiemco 7999, Size 4-8.
Thread Rear: White Nymo.
Thread
Front: Black Nymo.
Tail: Orange bucktail.
Body: Pearl Lite Bright - dubbed very tight.
Hackle: Black.
Eyes: Silver
bead chain.
This style of fly can be tied in chartreuse, red, all hot orange, all black, or
any other combination to make an effective steelhead catcher. The green or
chartreuse model is especially good in low clear water in smaller sizes.
Select Another Fly:
Pearl Brite Lite Steelhead Fly
Return to Charlie's Introduction.
Tier: Charlie Schlinski
Hook: Tiemco 811S, Size 4/0.
Thread: White single strand floss.
Underwing: Layered - pearl Angel Hair, white deer hair.
Overwing: Layered - pearl Angel Hair, white deer hair, silver
Flashabou, rainbow Flashabou, pearl Angel Hair, white bucktail, and dark blue Angel Hair.
Gill Plate: Gadwall flank feather or Pintail or Mallard can be used.
Gills: Red chenille, three wraps.
Hackle: White.
Eyes: Bead Chain, XL, painted over with fabric paint, then coated with
varnish when dried.
Head: Light blue Crystal Chenille.
Note: All steps are tied off and secured with a drop of super glue,
including head. Pictured to the right is a close-up of the head.
Select Another Fly:
Pearl Brite Lite Steelhead Fly
Return to Charlie's Introduction.
Be sure to visit our on-line store at
http://www.flytyingworld.com/angling/index.html
for your tying needs.