The Appalachians, Small Blue Lines and Flies

A CT wild brook trout stream. Like many from Maine to Georgia.

Along the eastern coast of the United States lies a mountain chain called the Appalachians. This upheaval that took place, hell I don't know but it was a long time ago, caused a connection of the states from Maine to Georgia. Although the mountain chains have different names such as The Smokies, Blue Ridge, Kittatinny, Shawangunk, Berkshires, Taconics, Catskills, Green, White, and probably a few others, but they are all part of the Appalachians. A few of the things that bring all these areas of the east together are the mountain streams, brook trout and the beautiful people that call these mountains home. I have put together a group of flies that have been tied by the anglers of the mountains as well as an adopted one. These flies were crafted in the cabins, homes and the few shops that were available.

The Orange Palmer is a fly that was crafted in North Carolina about 1950 according to Ben Craig of Waynesville, N.C. he believes the fly came from the hollows of Haywood County. A simple pattern that has given up a few brook trout.

The Corey Calftail. The fly has its origin in Michigan, but was adopted back east and has earned a reputation of fooling large trout. It is a wonderful late evening and night fly.

The Rattler. This flies origin has been lost in time. Probably a southern pattern because of its Golden Pheasant Tippet tail, which was a common material used in the south.

A Fran Betters classic fly. The Ausable Bomber. This fly has accounted for more brook trout by this angler than any other fly in my box.

All the above flies have many similarities. The most common is the simplicity of the fly. These tyers used what few materials they had and created these classics.

BT Hair Tail

Here is another fly I'd like to include with the ones above. I don't make any claim as to how successful it will be, that will come with time. I will say it is a simple pattern and has the characteristics of something a brook trout would eat.

The fly is called BT Hair Tail. I hope a few of the tyers that read this blog will tie up one or two and give them a fair test. Hook, Mustad 9671, size 14....Tail, Elk Hair, semi short and sparse,...Body, Natural Hare,...Hackle, Grizzly,....Orange Thread.