Friday, March 27, 2015

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.




15 comments:

  1. Another great post, Alan! Just received my Aussie Possum and am eager to tie some Bombers. And, let 'em fly....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Blog FlyFishMA,
      Thanks.
      That Aussie possum was the key to the bomber.

      Delete
  2. Alan I'm drooling over all those pic's and the bit of history. Awesome post! Thanks! Next time I'm at the vice, Ill spin up a few BT Hair Tails and give em a good go this spring. How they wouldn't work is beyond me... Your list of flies shows a clear sample of brookie loved flies - all with full body palmers and similar form. The BT is a hair simpler (good) than some and well... I just dont think it could miss. I look forward to reporting back in a month or two :)
    Will

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hibernation,
      Thanks.
      Will I would appreciate your trying the BT. Simplicity does work, as these patterns have proven.

      Delete
  3. Great job Alan! It is interesting that all the flies are "palmer" style flies, not doubt due to the fact that these flies are able to ride high in the tumbly water of these high gradient mountain streams. It's not well known, but the Adirondacks are the only eastern mountain range that has a distinct geology from the rest of the Appalachians. They belong to an "older" formation coming called the Canadian or Laurentian Shield.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mark,
      Thanks.
      They all do have that feature. The fact that most mountain streams are indeed rough at points as you state. Never knew the ADKs were not part of the Appalachians. I'll have to correct post.

      Delete
  4. Alan
    Stunning fly patterns; was a size 14 hook used for all this great collection? I assume this is the general size used throughout the Appalachians. Thanks for sharing a great post!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bill Trusell,
      Thanks.
      Most of the flies I tie are size 14, I find it easier to tie on that size. As far as the rest of the Appalachians I can't say. But a size 14 is a good choice.

      Delete
  5. Alan, I'd be really surprised if these flies didn't work in the Rockies for any trout that happened to see it. I'll give it a go as well.

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    Replies
    1. Howard Levett,
      Thanks.
      I'd love to see the results.

      Delete
  6. I'll definitely give that a try, it looks like a good fly.

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    Replies
    1. RM Lytle,
      Thanks.
      I have a feeling they will work pretty good on those streams you fish. They might even work on sunfish.

      Delete
    2. What doesn't work on sunfish? ; )

      Delete
  7. Alan, great post! I fish all those flies and will fish yours as well.

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    Replies
    1. Apache Trout,
      Thanks.
      John I think that fly will gain a brookies interest. The only fly I haven't fished is the Corey Calftail.

      Delete