Good morning folks. Two day old bagels, hard, crusty, and dry...what to do? Some beaten eggs and butter, with maple syrup and suddenly all's well. With a smile on my face and hopefully on yours we will begin the day with the hope it is a good one.
Fran Betters was a fly tyer and a fly master in terms of design. I have posted many of his patterns here and have fished them as well. Most times when on the stream and the day seems lost as far as catching trout I'll tie on a Betters pattern and the day is saved....trout respond to his patterns.
This is one of Fran's innovative patterns. The "Haystack"...this is a fly that will catch trout. A simple pattern, a mix of deer hair, dubbing and thread, can it be any simpler.
The "Haystack" is the forerunner of the "Comparadun"...Fran's book calls for various colors and that is accomplished by different color dubbing.
Here is a lighter colored "Haystack". I used this fly the other day and had success with it on a stream I have not fished in quite some time.
Love the fish eye view, and the fish love it to. The next time your in a slump on the stream tie one on and see a "Betters" result.
Brook trout fanciers, southern brook trout fanciers, and outdoor lovers everywhere. I would like to tell you about a wonderful book, "Downstream", by David O'Hara and Matthew Dickerson. A very easy and delightful read.
Thank you Alan for often bringing up Fran Betters. He is one of my fly tying heroes, whose genius to me was that he tyed flies to catch fish instead of catching fishermen. He was also very helpful and a true gentleman whenever I stopped in his shop. I miss him.
ReplyDeleteChuck Coronato
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Chuck he was a man who knew trout. I only met him twice but learned quite a bit. One thing that always stayed with me is him telling me why my bombers always looked bunched up. He said your using the wrong hook.
yum on the breakfast save!
ReplyDeleteTexWisGirl
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Theresa love 2 day old bread, egg and butter really bring life back to them.
Good to remember the Haystack. My kind of fly.
ReplyDeleteJim Yaussy Albright
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Jim I know how you love deer hair.
That haystack is a great looking fly. Another one on my list to tie. Thanks for the info on it. Regards, Sam
ReplyDeleteParachute Adams
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Sam the Haystack can be a day saver.
Alan is the dubbing on the first fly musk rat or mole? Fran was definitely a tier who did great job of impressing fish and fisherman, a rare gift. I think his flies are the kind that are simple to learn to tie and you usually get great results, pretty hard to beat a win, win like that. Thanks for the lesson!
ReplyDeleteBrad Basehore
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Brad it's squirrel, but I also use natural Australian opossum. Fran did have that talent to make flies actually work and simple to tie.
Alan
ReplyDeleteAnother fantastic pattern from your bench--what size works best for tailrace fishing? Thanks for sharing
Bill Trussell
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Bill I fish them in size 14 and 16. They can be deadly on the Farmington.
Ah the haystack.....the first fly I ever tied and caught a wild brookie on. I have nothing but fond memories of it.
ReplyDeleteKiwi
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Chris I would have guessed a brookie would be the first trout to respond to the Haystack.
As always beautiful flies and delectable food!! I still have a selection of flies tied by Fran Betters!!
ReplyDeleteTROUTI
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Pete hang on to that collection. I hear it's going to be near 70 on Wed. I hear the Farmy calling.....
Alan - very nice work on the Haystacks! I find I fish more of this style of fly than any other dry fly. It's simple, uses a few simple inexpensive materials, and is quick to tie. I love it's verstality as well since it sits low in the water and can mimic emergers, duns or even spinners. All this speaks to the genius of Fran Betters!
ReplyDeleteMark
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Mark versatile and simple, that's hard to beat. And as you say he was a genius.
Love the Haystack! Love two day old bagels with maple syrup!
ReplyDeleteHoward Levett
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Howard 2 days are only a number...it's all good as I'm sure you know.
Great looking fly. I'm sure those brookies will love it! I have never thought to do that with hard bagels. I will most certainly be keeping this post in mind the next time I do. Looks delicious!
ReplyDeleteJustin Carf
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Justin the brookies will take to the Haystack like we'll take to the bagels.
Definitely going to have to tie some some Haystacks. I wish his book was still available. Seems like you've got to get very lucky to find a copy.
ReplyDeleteMike Comperchio
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Mike the book shows up on ebay from time to time.
The haystack looks like a fantastic fly. I'm gonna try tying a few up.
ReplyDeleteBen Mckinley
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Ben they save the day many a time.