Matt Fronfdorf aka: Shmang
Cincinatti, Ohio

Although I have been fly fishing for 25 years, my pursuit of trout has only been the focus the last 10 years since I moved to the North Carolina/Virginia area.  Born and raised in the Cincinnati, Ohio area, I grew up fishing for Bass, Bluegill and Crappie in ponds, creeks and rivers near our family home.  I have never lost my love for warm water fishing but now I almost exclusively peruse trout.  I have been fortunate to visit 12 different states trying to catch both fresh and salt water fish. 

My approach in tying is function.  I may not tie the prettiest flies but I aim to fool fish not impress other anglers.  I like durable, suggestive patterns that are convenient for me to tie.  This way I can confidently toss patterns to fish and not worry about losing the occasional fly.  My favorite patterns to tie are nymphs, terrestrials, and midges. 

When I lived in Virginia I fished the Smith, Dan, and South Fork Holston Rivers.  I know the South Fork Holston as good as anyone in the Commonwealth.  It really holds a special place in my heart.  

My all time best place to angle would have to be the Durango Colorado area.  My wife and I had the opportunity to visit that area the past two autumns.  Talk about fishing nirvana!  Miles and miles of quality water that are plum fool of fish. 

I am blessed to have a wonderful wife that supports and understands my love of angling.  Kimberly is quite the angler herself-guess who caught the largest fish between us in Colorado this past October?  Yep, my wife schooled me!!  

Select One of Matt's Flies:

Kiss Nymph

Suspender Midge

Simpleton Midge

Cased Caddis

Hairy Eye Ball

Baby Rainbow

Fleeing Crayfish

Crawbaby

Sassy Streamer 

Baby Rainbow

  Tier:  Matt Frondorf

This is a great pattern for big fish.  It suggest a young of the year rainbow, prime size for trout that inhabit heavy cover, deep holes, and the mouths of feeder streams.  I like it on a 3X tippet. 

Cased Caddis

 Tier:  Matt Frondorf

Thread:  Black 6/0.

Hook:  Standard nymph hook 12--18.

Weight:  10 wraps of .015 lead substitute.

Body:  A dubbing looped body of Hares Ear, Antron, Possum, Fox, and Mohair.

Thorax:  Green or Yellow Flurorescent dubbing to imitate the caddis "peeking" its head out.

Legs:  Black hackle tips.

Note:  A nice winter pattern for free stone streams.  It works best fished low and slow, near the bottom of the water column.  I also like it coupled with a Sparkle Pupa on a dropper.  The dubbing loop makes a very durable fly. 

Crawbaby

 Tier:  Matt Frondorf

My #1 warm water pattern, but it also works well with big trout too.  The bug skin claws sway in the current and triggers fish.  A real work horse crawfish fly. 

Fleeing Crayfish

Tier:  Matt Frondorf

This is my fly rod version of the jig and pig.  The zonker strip tail and silicone legs wiggle and wave in the current.  Smallmouth and Rock Bass find this fly to be yummy. 

Hairy Eye Ball

 Tier:  Matt Frondorf

Hook:  Streamer hook, 3x long, size 2 to 10.

Thread:  White 6/0.

Wing:  Pink craft fur topped with pearl or green Krystal Flash topped with brown bucktail topped with chartreuse craft fur.

Eyes:  Epoxy covered prismatic eyes.

Note: A pair of prismatic eyes set the target for hungry fish on this streamer pattern. Both trout and bass, and the occasional catfish, find this fly to be the apple of their eye. I like it in all water colors and especially in low light.

Kiss Nymph

 Tier:  Matt Frondorf

Hook:  TMC 100, size 16.
Thread:  Brown 8/0.
Bead:  3/32 gold bead.
Body:  Peacock herl.
Rib:  Fine red copper wire.
Flash Case:  Clear green silicone skirt material.
Legs:  Olive goose biots.

Sassy Streamer

 Tier:  Matt Frondorf

This pattern works well in both fresh and salt water.  The maribou tail really triggers predators with it's constant motion.  The New River smallmouths like this fly fished stripped in like a minnow fleeing for sanctuary.  A real solid pattern. 

Simpleton Midge

 Tier:  Matt Frondorf

Hook:  TMC 2487 size 18--22.

Thread:  Black 8/0.

Body:  Thread.

Accent:  Pearl Green Crystal Flask (optional)

Head:  Built up thread.

Overlay:  Plastic strip from sandwich bag.

Note:  The plastic strip provides translucence and mimics the insects segmented body and is a great material for midges of all sizes.  I cut a sandwich bag into 1/8 in strips and have an ample supply for pennies.

Suspender Midge

 Tier:  Matt Frondorf

Hook:  TMC 101 size 18-24.

Thread:  Grey 8/0.

Body:  Grey Kreinik Silk Dubbing.

Thorax:  Peacock herl.

Wing:  CDC Oiler Puff color to match natural or alternately to serve as indicator.

Note:  A simple silk body that hangs vertical in the surface film due to the CDC oiler puff.  I like this one for the slower water areas like long pools and pockets. Can be tied down to size #24 with ease