Robert
"Bob" Balogh
aka: RGB - Pennsylvania
I live in Johnstown, PA and am a retired steelworker with 28 years in the steel mills.
I'm also an
Army veteran of the Vietnam era. Much of my retirement time is spent fly fishing, fly tying, and
teaching others to tie. I also enjoy wood working and specialize in building shadow boxes.
Email me
if interested in obtaining a custom box to display your flies.
I've been fly fishing and fly tying since the age of 13. That was in 1952, when a
gentleman friend and master fly tier, Karl Kesel, took me "under his wing" and taught me to make something from
feathers that would catch fish. He became ill and passed away later that same same year but not
before instilling in me the desire to be as good a tier as he was, and carry on for him.
After my first year of mentoring I taught myself and learned mostly by trial and error.
I still use
the same vice today that my father bought me when he saw me tie my first flies on his workbench
vice.
Note by Ed Gallop: Bob had a pet rabbit named "Bunny" that was house broken and accompanies him when tying. Sadly, Bunny passed away on September 8, 2003. He went peacefully in his sleep, and will be sorely missed.
Not only did Bunny provide an endless supply of dubbing, he also provides other tying material. Bob sent me a fly he said Bunny made just for me. It sort of looks like a beetle but could be mistaken for a cased caddis. Click here to see it... Bunny Dung Fly.
Bob
is quite a craftsman with feather, fur, and even wood. He builds shadow
boxes for sale at very reasonable prices. A few of his many designs are
pictured. Tell him what you want and he will design and build it for
you.
Bob also made and marketed "Clear Wings," which can be seen on his "Cahill" and "Trico Parachute" flies below. The wings are clear with prisms of iridescent colors reflecting in the light. He makes them in various sizes and colors for mayflies and caddis. Flies tied with the wings have proved productive for several anglers, including myself. This endeavor has been curtailed due to arthritis in the fingers. Bob now just does the wings for himself and close friends.
I am fortunate to have Bob as a personal friend and fishing buddy. His eccentric humor keeps me laughing, his knowledge and talent keeps me learning, and his cooking keeps me wanting more. Ed.
Select One of Bob's Flies:
Cased Grannom (Natural) (Novelty)
Bunny Dung Fly (Novelty)
Abortion
Be
sure to visit our on-line store at http://www.flytyingworld.com/angling/index.html Tier:
Robert (Bob) Balogh
Bead: Silver 3 mm plastic craft store bead. Weight: About 10 turns of .015 lead wire. Collar: Black ostrich is used as an added attraction and it also hides the thread wraps that are behind the bead. Note: I have used Canada goose black soft hackle and it was productive. I fish this fly like a Wooley at times, but with no added shot. I vary the retrieve with jerks at times, and long strips, then pause and let it fall slightly. Next cast goes in the same spot across the creek, dead
drift. The next cast I strip it back as fast as I can. I then cast and just jerk it with the rod tip, pumping it fast through the swing. They all worked so there is no "best' way. Select One of Bob's
Flies: Cased Grannom (Natural) (Novelty)
Bunny
Dung Fly (Novelty)
Return
to Bob's Introduction.
Tier:
Robert (Bob) Balogh
Ed's
Note: Bob sent me this fly last year (2000) and asked my opinion
about the wings. He said the recipe for this Cahill was a
conglomeration of stuff he had laying on his bench at the time. It's
amazing what fine looking creations come from a rat's nest like that [smile].
It's a good example of the exceptional talent he possesses.
These
wings were cut from clear plastic gift wrapping and is stiffer than
baggies. Select One of Bob's
Flies: Cased Grannom (Natural) (Novelty)
Bunny
Dung Fly (Novelty)
Return
to Bob's Introduction.
Tier:
Robert (Bob) Balogh
Select One of Bob's
Flies: Cased Grannom (Natural) (Novelty)
Bunny
Dung Fly (Novelty)
Return
to Bob's Introduction.
Tier:
Robert (Bob) Balogh
Select One of Bob's
Flies: Cased Grannom (Natural) (Novelty)
Bunny
Dung Fly (Novelty)
Return
to Bob's Introduction.
Tier:
Robert (Bob) Balogh
Thread:
Brown 8/0 (for foundation). Body:
Natural dried bunny dung. Legs: None
(unless you want a beetle). Note:
Coat the dung body with poly or other durable coating. If you are not
fortunate to own a bunny yourself, or too lazy to hike the forest in hopes of
getting lucky, find a friend with a house bunny. I'm sure they would gladly provide you with
plenty. Although this
looks like a cased caddis it is intended to be a novelty fly. Select One of Bob's
Flies: Cased Grannom (Natural) (Novelty)
Bunny
Dung Fly (Novelty)
Return
to Bob's Introduction.
Tier:
Robert (Bob) Balogh
Select One of Bob's
Flies: Cased Grannom (Natural) (Novelty)
Bunny
Dung Fly (Novelty)
Return
to Bob's Introduction.
Tier:
Robert (Bob) Balogh
Collect your own
natural caddis case and fix it to your choice of hooks. I used Chartreuse
Floss for the thorax, Black Ostrich for the hackle, and a Black Glass Bead for
the head. Select One of Bob's
Flies: Cased Grannom (Natural) (Novelty)
Bunny
Dung Fly (Novelty)
Return
to Bob's Introduction.
Tier:
Robert (Bob) Balogh
Select One of Bob's
Flies: Cased Grannom (Natural) (Novelty)
Bunny
Dung Fly (Novelty)
Return
to Bob's Introduction.
Tier:
Robert (Bob) Balogh
Bob's
"Clear Wings" are available at a very reasonable price. He makes
them in various sizes and colors for mayflies and caddis. Email Bob at RGBalogh@webtv.net
for more information. Select One of Bob's
Flies: Cased Grannom (Natural) (Novelty)
Bunny
Dung Fly (Novelty)
Return
to Bob's Introduction.
Tier:
Robert (Bob) Balogh
Select One of Bob's
Flies: Cased Grannom (Natural) (Novelty)
Bunny
Dung Fly (Novelty)
Return
to Bob's Introduction.
Tier:
Robert (Bob) Balogh
Select One of Bob's
Flies: Cased Grannom (Natural) (Novelty)
Bunny
Dung Fly (Novelty)
Return
to Bob's Introduction.
Tier:
Robert (Bob) Balogh
Select One of Bob's
Flies: Cased Grannom (Natural) (Novelty)
Bunny
Dung Fly (Novelty)
Return
to Bob's Introduction.
Tier:
Robert (Bob) Balogh
Select One of Bob's
Flies: Cased Grannom (Natural) (Novelty)
Bunny
Dung Fly (Novelty)
Return
to Bob's Introduction.
Be
sure to visit our on-line store at http://www.flytyingworld.com/angling/index.html
for your tying needs.
Hook:
Mustad 3906b #12.
Tail: Marabou from a dark dun neck hackle butt, hook shank length.
Body: Florescent green chenille.
Hackle: Black neck hackle, tips extend back to the bend of the hook, about 2 turns.
Hook: Mustad
94840 12-18
Thread: 8/0
Tail: Ginger spade hackle
Body: 1/2 Golden Retriever and 1/4 tan rabbit dubbing mixed.
Wings: "Bob's Clear Wings"
Hackle: Light ginger
Note: I
used the same wings on an Adams pattern and it caught 4 nice browns from a
heavily fished stream on its "maiden voyage." The wings
glisten, catching every ray of sunlight, making it very easy to track on the
water. I'm quite pleased with it, and will incorporate this type wing into
many more of my patterns in the future. 
Hook:
#12 to #18 Mustad 80250br.
Thread: White 6/0 prewaxed.
Body: White rabbit dubbing.
Thorax: Peacock herl.
Rib: Fine Gold wire.
Hackle: Grouse.
Head: Black bead.
Notes: The body of this fly is tied with the shredded fur from
a "White Dutch Lop"
house bunny. Use any white bunny you want.
Hook:
Mustad 3906-B #10 (+/-).
Thread: Black 6/0.
Tail: Red marabou.
Rib: Thin gold wire.
Body: Brown chenille.
Hackle: Brown saddle (palmered).
Bead: Gold, copper, or pearl.
Weight: .015 lead substitute (the entire hook
shank).
Note: This red tailed brown bugger pattern was a real workhorse for me last
spring. It accounted for quite a few early February and March trout.
It worked well all year in all situations, but high milky, cloudy water was the best. 
Hook: Mustad
scud, sized to dung.
Hook:
#12 to #18 Mustad 80250br.
Thread: Olive 6/0 prewaxed.
Tail: Pheasant tail segments.
Rib: Fine gold wire.
Abdomen: Pheasant tail segments followed by olive rabbit
dubbing.
Thorax: Peacock herl.
Wing: Gray deer hair.
Don't think you
will find the body material for this fly on sale anywhere. It's an
actual cased Grannom Caddis I collected from the bottom of Spruce Creek in
PA. It has been reinforced with a thin epoxy glue. I've caught trout
on them so they work.
Hook:
Mustad 37160 size to suit.
Thread: Gudebrod rusty brown 8/0.
Rib: Fine gold wire.
Blood Vein: Black floss, lacquered.
Shellback: Clear.
Abdomen: Olive brown rabbit.
Thorax: Sulphur orange rabbit.
Hook:
Mustad 94840 size 20.
Thread: Black 8/0.
Tail: Bleached elk, 3 strands forked.
Abdomen: Elk butts wound forward.
Thorax: Olive rabbit.
Post: Red egg yarn.
Wings: Bob's Clear Wings.
Hackle: Grizzly.
Note: It is difficult to see the transparent clear wings on this fly but
they are on the sides of the post. They are clear with prisms of
iridescent colors reflecting in the light.
Hook:
#12 to #18 Mustad 94840.
Thread: Brown 6/0 prewaxed.
Tail: Brown hackle fibers.
Rib: Fine gold wire.
Body: Orange floss.
Thorax: Orange rabbit dubbing.
Post: White poly yarn.
Hackle: Brown hackle tied parachute style.
Hook: #12 to #18 Mustad 37160.
Thread: Black 6/0 prewaxed.
Tails: Black goose biots.
Body: Olive brown dubbing (with guard hairs, well picked out).
Shellback: Goose wing quills.
Head: Black rabbit dubbing.
Eyes: Burned mono.
Hook: #10 to #18 Mustad 94840.
Thread: Olive 6/0 prewaxed.
Rib: Olive ostrich.
Body: Olive dubbing.
Collar: Olive ostrich .
Wing: Light elk hair.
Hook: #12 to #18 Mustad
94840.
Thread: Tan 6/0 prewaxed.
Body: Tan rabbit dubbing (see Notes).
Hackle: Ginger hackles, palmered over body.
Underwing: Light elk hair, leave butts to form head.
Wing: Dryer sheet material, colored with marker pen (see
Note).
Collar: Ginger hackle.
Notes: The fly pictured is tied with the shedded hair from a Golden Retriever
owned by Mrs. Goff. The "Bounce" dryer sheet wing is tied using my Scotch Tape
Method (scroll down for instructions and give it a try).
for your tying needs.