Sunday, December 3, 2017

"Pinkie"

Here's a fly that is so easy to tie, and so effective that it should be in every fly box. The fly known to some as "pinkie"...the flies name took almost as long to come up with as it does to tie it. As you can see in the first photo the materials are minimal....hook, pink chenille, and thread. This fly has a great reputation for taking trout, especially in winter. The fly can be gussied up and tied weighted or with a bead. I prefer to fish it plain and simple. You have a choice of the length of the chenille I prefer to keep it on the short side. The tips can be burned with a lighter if one wishes.



Tie in thread and wind back to barb. Tie in a piece of chenille, a few wraps on it and then a few in front of it. Wind thread to just back of eye.


Take chenille and wrap forward to just behind eye.


Take a few thread wraps to secure chenille, whip finish and go fish.


They like it, trust me.














30 comments:

  1. We do something similar over here with squirmy rubber, they fish particularly well in coloured water

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    1. George
      Thanks
      George I have heard of suqirmies, but have never tried them. The pink color can be seen for some distance.

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  2. This is insane(I mean this in a nice way)! It shouldn't catch fish but obviously it does! I never thought a San Juan worm would work on my local knuckleheads but it did and I can certainly see this beauty (the Pinkie) doing yeoman's service just about anywhere! Good one Alan! I am thinkin there is some pink micro chenille somewhere in my den.....
    Dougsden

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    1. Dougsden
      Thanks
      Doug though the pinkie is an off-shoot of the San Juan I find it much simpler and a breeze to tie. It can be tied with various colors of chenille.

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    2. You are so right in the simplicity end of tying this pattern. Have you had good luck with other colors of chenille or is pink the go to
      color esp. for brookies? D.

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    3. Doug, I tie it in brown, and chartruse, but the pink works the best.

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  3. I like that pinkie fly, Alan. I do trust the trout like them and will tie up a few.
    Sam

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    1. Parachute Adams
      Thanks
      Sam the pinkie does indeed work. I took a lovely brown on it Sunday, and the brookies, well.

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  4. Great looking fly & easy tie. It looks like you use orange thread? is that correct??

    Well done.......Phil

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    1. DRYFLYGUY
      Thanks
      Phil it's been a long time, good to see you back.
      The thread I used was orange, but pink or red would work also.

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  5. Alan
    I can attest to the fact it works. First time I saw it in action was with the NYD crew, several years ago.

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    1. TROUT1
      Thanks
      Pete I recall that day Mad River I believe.
      Got to get the crew together NYD is coming.

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  6. For some reason, pink has always been a good color for trout out here. I have several of these in the fly box. It works.

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    1. Mark Kautz
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      Mark that's good to hear.
      I never thought pink would be a good color until I fished for steelhead some years back.

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  7. Alan - I cringe every time I fish it thinking the bright pink will send wild fish running for cover. I don't know why that thing works but it does!

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    Replies
    1. Mark Wittman
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      Mark it does not look natural in the water, it's looks radioactive.

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  8. That fly is and always will be a fish catching machine.

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    Replies
    1. RM Lytle
      Thanks
      Rowan when all else fails go for the "pinkie"

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  9. I've been convinced for a long time that anything pink or red will attract trout. Who can argue with red or pink salmon eggs?

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    Replies
    1. Howard Levett
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      Howard some of the egg patterns have wild colors.
      The steelhead seem to like them.

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  10. Very nice! A very effective pattern. Especially this time of year.

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    Replies
    1. Ralph Long
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      Ralph I love this pattern in the cold months. Fished slow through a pool it can be a trip saver.

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  11. Alan
    I believe I could even tie this one, just curious what insect do the trout relate this pattern to----or is it just an attention getter? Thanks for sharing

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    Replies
    1. Bill Trussell
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      Bill I think it represents some form of aquatic worm. There are many types of these worms that live in streams. Worms are attention getters, and a pink one is special.

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  12. What a great simple looking fly, Alan. We (I know myself) often forget that the simple flies are just as, if not, more effective than some of the more intricate patterns out there.

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    1. Justin Carf
      Thanks
      Justin we as fly tyers try sometimes to do to much, when simple is all that's needed.
      I love tying intricate patterns and will continue to do so.

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  13. Alan, I know the pink worm in my area of pa. Does very well. An aquatic worm works no matter where you fish, the only thing I cannot figure is the color. Sometimes your better off not over thinking why. Thankyou great pattern suggestion for this time of year.

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    1. Brad Basehore
      Thanks
      Bingo Brad, better off not over thinking.
      How was your hunt?

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  14. We harvested a beautiful male pa. Black bear at 328pounds and one whitetail. Had a wonderful time, I thought it was a little warm. But really enjoyed the experience.

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