Skip to content
DUN Outdoors
dun outdoors
Subscribe
DM

DUN Magazine

Articles from DUN Magazine.

100 posts

Posts by this author

Fly Line Tapers

Fly Line Tapers

In this edition’s Firming Your Foundation, we are going to talk about line weights.  Now, remember this is a brief overview, and by no means a comprehensive package.  For the sake of time and sanity, we will be talking about weight forward, double taper, shooting head and level lines.  For the most part, the name of the line already explains a bit about it, but just to firm your foundation a bit more, we will go into detail below. Weight-Forward taper: As the name suggests, the weight forward (

2/1/2017Dun Magazine2 min read
Whip Finisher

Whip Finisher

A whip finisher is a knot tying tool for a fly tier.  This tool is very easy to use but still seems to mystify many out there.  To learn how to use a whip finisher click here. A whip finish is a great way to finish a fly with a knot and not need to add head cement to the fly.  Unlike a series of half hitch knots, a properly executed whip finish should not come apart. Although a whip finish knot can be accomplished by using fingers, in some cases the tool comes in handy; for example, when tryin

2/1/2017Dun Magazine1 min read
The Show Stopper

The Show Stopper

1 Orion Cooler 2-3 Bags of Ice 1 Stop at the Local Establishment Many Cans of Beer Show season is upon us.  No doubt, if you have access to a fly show (or any outdoor show) within 50 miles of you, you've attended or thought of attending the show. We thought it only fair that we share with you our Show Special. Start with one bad ass cooler. Add 2-3 bags of ice to start.  Depending on the type of cooler you may need to replenish throughout the trip. Choose your poison. Invite all your fr

2/1/2017Dun Magazine1 min read
Muskegon Michigan

Muskegon Michigan

Standing around your local fly shop and hearing all the amazing destinations to travel to is exciting, but can be frustrating if you have no idea where they are talking about. Here is a little help from us! Where is It? Muskegon, Michigan is located on the west coast of the lower peninsula of Michigan.  The Muskegon River flows through the heart of the city on its way to Lake Michigan. What to fish for? When traveling to Muskegon you will be targeting steelhead in the spring, winter and fall,

2/1/2017Dun Magazine1 min read
Cul De Canard (CDC)

Cul De Canard (CDC)

Cul De Canard better known as CDC is used primarily for dry flies such as the F Fly and the Moustique. The actual translation of Cul de Canard is duck butt even though these feathers are from the back of a duck directly around the preen gland and not from the butt (that doesn't stop us from calling them duck butt feathers).   The preen gland secrets an oil that the duck uses for cleaning and waterproofing.  This makes these feathers very buoyant. It is very important to note that using gink or

1/31/2017Dun Magazine2 min read
The Smallmouth

The Smallmouth

Everyone on staff at DUN Magazine is in love with Smallmouth.  If you have not fished for Smallies on the fly, you should put this predator on your list. A Smallmouth is a popular freshwater game fish which is part of the SUNFISH family.   Yes, you read that right! HABITAT Their native habitat is the upper Mississippi, the Ohio, lower Missouri watersheds and most of the Great Lakes. WHEN AND WHERE When fishing for Smallies, water temperature plays a huge role.  We start fishing for them when

12/1/2016Dun Magazine1 min read
Thread Sizes

Thread Sizes

There are round threads and flat threads.  There are single and multi-strand threads.  There are threads with texture and threads that stretch.  There are even threads that are pre-waxed, and all come in every color of the rainbow.  Telling them apart can be a nightmare.  Understanding the difference will make picking the right thread for the right fly easy. In this edition we will talk about the different sizes of threads. Threads are measured in two main ways in fly tying:  Denier and aught:

12/1/2016Dun Magazine2 min read
The Stripping Guard

The Stripping Guard

No doubt while shopping at your local fly shop, you've seen a stack of these. What is it? Do I need it? A stripping guard is a basically a protective sleeve that goes over your stripping fingers to prevent them from getting cuts and burns while stripping and setting the hook.A stripping guard can really come in handy when you're fishing saltwater, large fish, textured or thin fly lines.  In addition, these can be helpful when your hands have seen a lot of time in the water and can also protect

12/1/2016Dun Magazine1 min read
The Bodkin

The Bodkin

Spend any time around fly tiers and someone is bound to bring up the term bodkin or ask you if they can borrow yours.  At that point, knowing what a bodkin is could be quite helpful. What is a bodkin? A bodkin is basically a needle in a holder for easy use.  Bodkins can make many aspects of tying easier.  Here are a few ways that we use our bodkins. 1)  Applying head cement to a finished fly. 2)  Picking out trapped fibers after wrapping or palmering a material. 3)  Stabbing your next door

12/1/2016Dun Magazine1 min read
Punta Gorda, Belize

Punta Gorda, Belize

Standing around your local fly shop and hearing all the amazing destinations to travel to is exciting, but can be frustrating if you have no idea where they are talking about. Here is a little help from us! Where is It? Punta Gorda (PG) is located in the southern part of Belize near Honduras and Guatemala.  PG is lesser known destination compared to Ambergris Key in the north, which means very little fishing pressure compared to other saltwater destinations. What to fish for? PG is a Permit,

12/1/2016Dun Magazine2 min read
The Fly Reel

The Fly Reel

We've all been there.  Standing in our local fly shop when the associate asks "What style of fly reel do you prefer?"  For many freshwater fishing situations, the reel is mainly a line holder, but for hard fighting or big fish the reel becomes one of the most important pieces of equipment. The Arbor The arbor is the center of the reel that the backing and line are tied to and wound around.  There are three general sizes of arbor:  large, mid and small.  The arbor you pick is not just about the

12/1/2016Dun Magazine2 min read
Martinez Martini

Martinez Martini

Ice Cubes 1 oz Gin 2 oz  Sweet Vermouth .5 oz  Luxardo Liqueur 2 drops Orange Bitters 2 drops Old Fashion Bitters To build: Chill your favorite martini glass. Combine all of the ingredients into your shaker, add fresh ice cubes and shake.  Double strain the cocktail into your chilled martini glass and enjoy. The Martinez is one of our favorite cocktails.  This drink is thought to be the precursor to the modern martini.  In yesteryear, consumers liked a little more sweetness in their cockt

12/1/2016Dun Magazine1 min read