Roger Skov tied a patriotic fly and won first place.

Fly fishing enthusiasts know the significance of tying flies and most of them tie their own rather than buy them.

Skov saw an advertisement in American Angler magazine for a contest to make the most patriotic fishing fly. It was Dec. 10, 2001 and the deadline for entrees was Dec. 15. He thought about entering but wasn't sure he could meet the deadline. He called the contest center in New Jersey and they said the deadline had been pushed ahead to Jan. 15, 2002.

The contest rules stated that all entries had to be accompanied by a donation for the New York firefighters' disaster relief fund and that the entries had to be red, white and blue in color.

Roger began crafting the 'Patrient' -- a terrestrial. Terrestrials are a category of fly that resemble ants and beetles; things that fall into the water or are washed in.

He sent his entry and received confirmation with a note from the contest officials saying, "Patrients have arrived safe and sound. We're very pleased with them."

Skov received the good news that his entry had won first place. "They said the second place fly was actually better." What really swayed them, he explained, was his presentation -- the way the fly, a red, white and blue ant, was displayed.

He guessed he was one of 200-300 entries and the contest gathered more than $8,000 for the relief effort.

Roger's received a prize to be envied by all fly fishers; an 8-lb. rod, reel and line valued at more than $1,100.

Skov has been a fly fisherman and tied his own flies for the past 10 years. "I used to spin cast for the 25 years before that," he said. "But when fishing tapered off in July, I thought there had to be more. There is. I go fly fishing now just about every chance I get."

His favorite type of fly fishing is nymph fishing. He said each fly has it's hatching season. "Sometimes it is three days, sometimes a month."

Earlier season flies are darker, Skov explained, because they darker color allows them to absorb more sun. Lighter colored flies are used more in the summer when the sun is stronger. He said a good 'anytime' fly would be a Midge or Freshwater Shrimp.

There are trout in Mower County, Skov attests. His favorite place to fish in Mower County is the Cedar River down around the state line.

Skov is a member of the Minnesota Trout Association which will be holding a Hospitality Day for trout opener at Forestville State Park picnic shelter from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., on Saturday, April 13.

He said it's an enjoyable time. There will be lots of coffee, hot chocolate and fly fishermen swapping fishing lies.

Call Ailene Dawson at 434-2235 or e-mail her at :mailto:ailene.dawson@austindailyherald.com.