Sunday, November 1, 2015

A Challenge, Bombers...........

The master, Fran Betters. Look at those materials..whats he tying?
Anyone who has read the posts on this blog, and various fly fishing forums knows my love for a fly known as "The Bomber". The fly is a creation of Fran Betters of Wilmington N.Y. I think the "Bomber" was created around 1964 I base this on the fact that Fran also created the Ausable Wulff in 1964, and the both flies are similar in that they use the same materials just tied differently.

Fran was a master fly tyer but I don't think he knew just what a "GREAT" wild trout fly the Bomber was to become. I know I've said this before, and most who have fished this fly would also agree it is the "Best" wild trout dry fly. I have taken trout on the Bomber in every month of the year. On day's when nothing else is working out comes the Bomber and "fish on". I gave myself a challenge...the next time out I will only carry and fish the "Bomber".


"Ausable Bombers"......the fly in the center is my tie, and the two that flank it are Frans.

I'm looking forward to this challenge.

A couple of "Bomber" results.





27 comments:

  1. I would tend to fish yours because the fish out here seem to like orange color.

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    1. Mark Kautz
      Thanks
      Mark that was Frans thought when created these flies. The orange coloration in the natural insects had something to do with the minerals in the Adirondack streams.

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  2. Nice looking flies and great results. That bottom brookie is a real chunk. Both are beautiful.

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    1. Parachute Adams
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      Sam that brookie was a special guy taken about 5 years ago.

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  3. Replies
    1. Howard Levett
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      Howard that look is probably why it's so successful.

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  4. Honestly, never fished one or tied one. However, I have often read of its success not only your blog, but, in magazines etc. Looking forward to reading a report from your personal challenge with the Bomber...

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    1. Gramps Mel
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      Mel, I have heard of the success of the Ausable Wulff world wide.

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  5. and we're looking forward to seeing how you do..(as if I don't already have a good guess)

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    1. penbayman
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      Mike that fly has taken it's fair share of Pine Tree State brookies, as well as a few salmon. It's a good fly up your way.

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  6. Alan - agreed that Ausable bomber is one special fly. Strangely enough it isn't nearly as well know as the Ausable Wulff. I don't think your "challenge" will be much of a challenge knowing the fly and the man that is fishing it!

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    1. Mark
      Thanks
      Mark the Ausable Wulff is known world wide, and I think we here in the northeast have the Bomber to ourselves.

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  7. Alan
    The Ausable Bomber is one of my go to dries on the Sipsey Tailrace. This fly produces when most dries want attract, excellent pattern!
    Thanks for sharing

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    Replies
    1. Bill Trussell
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      Bill that's the nature of the Bomber.

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  8. The "Bomber" works very well in our Connecticut rivers and streams, especially the ones tied by Brk Trt. I can attest to that!!

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  9. Alan, this is probably my favorite fly. I pretty much particpate in this challenge every time I fish because to me it's never a bad time for a bomber! I was forced to go subsurface this Saturday with Rowan, however, because of the impending spawn. I am interested to see how the bomber performs during the spawn.

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    1. RI brook trout
      Thanks
      Jonathan I am never far from the bomber as first choice most times.....but there are times when other flies should get the call first.

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  10. Carry only a bomber? Sounds very tenkara-esk with only using one fly. If you use only one fly the bomber is one of the best choices to go with. Nice post.

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    1. Kiwi
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      Chris now that you mention it it is Tenkara like...and trout like too.

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  11. Alan, I stumbled on the Crackle back fly by Ed Story. It's a stripped down version of this Ausable Bomber. The Crackle back has been productive for me. This Bomber looks like it's fun to tie.
    What sizes do you tie this?
    Ted

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    1. Theodore Rzepski
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      Theodore I have never heard of the Crackle back fly. I'll look it up. If it is similar it's got to be productive.

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  12. I have to chuckle looking at Fran's fly tying area. Not nearly as skilled as him, but my area in the basement where I tie is starting to look similar.

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    1. Parachute Adams
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      Sam Fran had so much on his desk, but knew where everything was. Most of us have tying areas as bad as that pictured.
      One day organization will come?

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  13. That pattern looks like a killer. I'm gonna try to find a vid on it. There is one place out here that the bomber would do very well...

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    1. The River Damsel
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      Emily I think there are a few videos on youtube. Tie a few and let us know how they worked.

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    2. I think that it would be cool to say that you only took one fly to the river and caught on it all day long. =)

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