Wednesday, June 21, 2017

North Country Flies, They Are The Real Deal

The more I delve into these North Country Flies the more I'm liking them. These patterns were created centuries ago and my goodness they work. The simplicity in tying them is beyond words, like the commercial say's even a caveman could do it. The fly pictured is a Partridge and Blue, or sometimes Blue Partridge. Tied back in the 1800's. Blue silk body with sparse mole dubbing and partridge hackle. The colors don't suggest a natural insect, well yes it does. The insect is a sand spider, and they are often found in sandy sections of streams. The fly is best used in the months of April, May and June. Over the past few months I have fished the fly in various streams along sandy sections.



Places as this.


And just as the book said, the fly worked perfectly. The light colored brook trout, as they hang out in the sandy bottom. "Camo"




In this run as I worked that Blue Partridge along the bottom an ample amount of trout hit the fly.




I think those Yorkshire gents may have really figured it out. "Thanks"....










23 comments:

  1. Nobody ties a better soft hackle than you. And the results prove it.

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    1. Parachute Adams
      Thanks
      Sam I appreciate that. As far as results go I'm lucky that I find hungry fish to cast to.

      Delete
  2. I've tied a few up and as soon as runoff recedes or I find some nice water, I'm going to anxiously give them a try. I wonder how they'll do out west?

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    1. Howard Levett
      Thanks
      Howard as long as there is a sandy bottom they should work well.

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    2. Yes Alan, we have sandy bottom streams in Colorado. Of course our sand is the size of bowling balls!

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  3. Simple is good. Why mess with something that works? Very nice outing!

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    1. Ralph Long
      Thanks
      If it ain't broke don't fix it.
      Ralph it was very enjoyable.

      Delete
  4. Alan, while the fly is beautiful and simple, and a win-win situation occurred, I am wondering about the hook and style. I like what appears to be a fairly wide gap on the hook.

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    1. The Bluegill Bug
      Thanks
      Mel it indeed has a wide gap. Great hooking ability.
      This type hook, Partridge Classic Spider are one of the best for these North Country Spiders.

      Delete
  5. Maybe a caveman, but not a yahoo with big fingers like me. I've never heard of a Sand Spider. Pretty ugly spider.

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    1. Mark Kautz
      Thanks
      Mark I have confidence in your ability to tie flies...what the hell I can do it.
      The sand spider has such a beautiful colored body.

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  6. A picture is worth a thousand words!!

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  7. Alan
    Believe it, I could even tie this fly I think??? -----it certainly gets result, what size were you using? Thanks for sharing

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    1. Bill Trussell
      Thanks
      Bill I truly believe you could tie this fly.
      This fly was on a 14, but I also tie it in 16.

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  8. there is a saying here in Yorkshire, KISS, Keep It So Simple, & it works :) nice tie again Alan.
    best regards
    George

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    1. George
      Thanks
      I must remember that saying. Very true.

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  9. I thought I might buy the book North Country Flies, until I discovered the price. There aren't many out there and boy they are very dear.

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    1. gerry
      Thanks
      I just googled the book and almost fell off my chair. I believe Amazon had it for 144.00...I bought mine from England, autographed for about 50.00.
      Check around You probably can find it cheaper.

      Delete
  10. Great looking tie. It looks scrumptious. What is your thread choice on this fly?

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    1. J Hayes
      Thanks
      The original pattern calls for silk. Pearsall's makes the color but is almost impossible to find. A shop in GB has it but the shipping is to much.
      On the fly posted I used Uni 6/0 Doc Blue.

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  11. Alan,
    Don't forget to access Sylvester Nemes' trilogy of books (and more actually) about Soft-hackles or Spiders and their interesting history! The first was "The Soft-Hackled Fly". The second was "The Soft-Hackled Fly Addict" and the third (and best in my opinion) is "Soft-Hackled Fly Imitations"!
    These classics only reinforce the fact that we as fly fishers and tiers already know....these simple, mostly two part flies are deadly out on the water and so beautiful in that simplicity. They are crazy easy to tie as well!
    Your imitation above Alan is gorgeous and, as we can see, pretty effective! Thanks for bringing this beauty to us!
    Dougsden

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  12. Dougsden
    Thanks
    Doug I have the first two titles by Nemes and I totally agree with you on their value....he was one of the first in America to write on these wonderful flies.
    I know you value the histories behind these simple marvels as do I. Keep up the good work in bringing them front and center.

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