Ausable Bomber.... "Rough Cut"

Ausable Bomber tied by me.

Fran Betters "Ausable Bomber" has been in my emails many times in the last several weeks. Questions about materials, construction, sizes and so on. And with that much interest I decided to do this post. I don't know when Fran first tied this fly, I came to know of it back in 2002 while visiting his shop in Wilmington. I bought a couple of them and was impressed with the way trout, and especially wild trout hit this fly. I attempted to tie it and the first few flies I fished were not taken the same way that Frans versions were. I contacted Fran and was given instruction, as well as materials that are a must to get this fly to work the way his did.

I don't know if Frans design of the "Bomber" was for use in rivers, although I suspect it was, being from a region where the mighty Ausable flows. But the "Bomber" is a small stream must have dry fly. It has taken trout for me every where it's fished, as well as every month of the year.

Here are the main list of materials. Rust orange Australian Opossum, Hot orange thread, woodchuck guard hair, grizzly, and brown hackle, and the Mustad 9671 hook.

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This is the main ingredient to a Ausable Bombers success, these are not my words but Frans. Rust Orange Australian Opossum. These came from Frans shop and as you can see there is some variation in color and depending where the fur came from on the body some of it is a bit wirery which is also a plus for making these flies look very buggy.

These flies were tied by Fran. You can see the 5 Bomber flies tied "rough cut" as Fran so often did.

A Halloween Blue Line

Halloween, the last day of October. This was a day to finally meet up with Mark and fish a small blue line. We have been trying for a long time to fish together but could not make it work with our schedules, and it all came together on the last day of October. The day started out sunny and bright with a definite crispness to the air. The skies then turned to a November gray, with the sun trying its best to work back in.

There were no visible signs of rising fish so I chose to fish a wet fly and that was a good choice. The brookies were on that fly in short order. Mark was using a yellow mini muddler, fishing it dry. He floated it through a long smooth pool. As the fly neared a large submerged rock a fish struck and missed. He returned and the second time was on.

So a decision was made to fish dries, and the first choice for me was the Ausable Bomber.....good choice.

My first fish of the day. This nice male took a wet fly drifted through a heavy riffle.

This is where the bomber made an appearance. Nice water, and they hit the fly well.

Bombers and brookies are like bread and butter.

I spotted this little fellow looking at me and wondering what I was doing. He sat there watching me for several minutes. Not feeling threatened he continued to observe.

He said I may as well have a snack while watching the show.

I continued to fish dries, changing to a Mr. Rapidan parachute. The fly worked very well. As the afternoon moved on I had to leave, but Mark continued to fish. It was good to finally meet and fish again.

Seeking a Native

What motivates an angler to to seek a certain fish, not just today but almost every time he has such opportunity. I'm going to try and give you some of my thoughts on just what motivates me. Many of the reasons can be seen in the photo above. A still, late October morning while the forest is just coming to life. The stream as it continues its flow to the eventual meeting with the sea. A broken down rock wall, made by past generations to perhaps keep someone or something out, or maybe to keep them in. The colors of a tree, its foliage hanging on giving the anglers mind a chance to take it all in before its gone.

Many claim that seeking the wild brook trout that call this home is done so because of the willingness of this native to take any offering put forth. This may be true and the reason for this might be because he has learned that to survive for thousands of years in some of the most infertile waters he has to eat most everything that may float by.

What excites an angler when his quarry is so small? What is derived from sliding your hand into the water and lifting a palm sized collection of dots, and halos, and lines of camouflage? To slip a tiny hook adorned with simple materials of feather and hair from the native. To admire for a moment its absolute beauty and place it back into the dark swirling waters of its home.

That's some what motivates me to seek this native. My next brook trout will be just as exciting to me as my first. It never ends and I never tire.

New Years Day 2015...start thinking

2011

I know it's only the end of October, but it's not to early to give some thought to where the "crew" will meet up to fish and feed on New Years Day 2015. The annual event was started in 2011 and this will be our 5th meeting. We usually pick a small stream and meet about 9 am. Coffee is served with donuts and then it's off to try and coax a cold trout to take a fly. About noon we meet up at the parking area and start lunch. In the past lunch has been sausage and peppers, meatballs, venison chili, and homemade chicken soup.

So I would like the "crew" to start thinking about a stream, as well as a menu. If my readers have a suggestion as what to have for lunch please run it by.

2012

2013

2014