Dry fly hackle. Brown and grizzly dry fly hackle. This combination of color has produced some of the best dry flies ever cast upon water. This is about one of those best flies.
The Ausable Wulff was created by Fran Betters of Wilmington, N.Y. I'm not sure of the date, but it was perhaps around 1960. It's a fly that has the ability to attract trout, bring them to the surface and take it without hesitation. It's design enables it to float in swift turbulent fast waters and remain highly visible to the angler and fish. I fish this fly so very often on small streams and wild brookies and browns both accept. I like to think Fran created this fly for the small stream angler.
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| "Ausable Wulff" |
The next fly, also a Betters creation is a bit of a mystery, that is to me.
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| Fran Betters "Mystery Fly" |
I picked this fly up at Frans shop. It was there, looked interesting so I picked up a couple. The first time I fished it was the day after Christmas. It was in a small stream with some deep slow pools. Several casts and I was into a fish. I'd like to say that the first fish was a trout, but it was a "chub". I continued to fish the fly that day and had taken a few nice brookies with the fly. I had two of these flies, lost one so I won't fish the last one until I can get some more. Since the shop where I bought the fly is no longer there purchasing some is impossible, and I've never seen such a pattern in other shops or on the internet. Mark, over at "Fishing small streams" who is a wonderful fly tyer has said he would attempt to duplicate the fly.
So if any of the fine readers of this blog happen to know of the name of this fly I would love to know.
CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE
I wish I knew it's name also. It's not mentioned in Fran Betters fly tying guide either. I would maybe suggest contacting his wife. I have e-mailed her a few times last year or the year before to obtain fly tying materials (snowshoe hares feet for some Usuals). She was very friendly and helpful. I hope you can find out because I'd be interested to know. Fran's flies are outstanding...excellent post.
ReplyDeleteKiwi,
DeleteThanks.
I could not find it in the guide either. I'll send an email to Jan and see what she says.
Graet flies, that mystery fly looks like it would be great for brookies. Nice ties.
ReplyDeleteKevin Frank,
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They are trout takers for sure.
Alan
ReplyDeleteThe Ausable Wulff is one of the dries I used in conjuction with your Bomber. I like both patterns because they have the ablility to stay afloat longer on surface as oppose to other patterns I have used. I for one don't like to use a lot of floatant on my dries, both of these patterns seem to require less floatant. As for the Mystery Fly it resembles a Caddis pattern in the form of the Cased Caddis Beadhead----http://greatlakesflies.com/beadhead_cased_caddis.htm Thanks for sharing
Bill Trussell,
DeleteThanks.
Yes they are very similar in that regard, and they both catch fish.
It does have a caddis look to it.
Love the Wulff..one of my absolute favs..pretty creation Brk Trt..
ReplyDeletepenbayman,
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The Ausble and the White Wulff have proven their worth in the waters of Rangeley.
I'm not sure if they have the Ausable Wulff at the fly shop (to complicated for me to tie), but if they do, you can bet there will be several on the Middle Fork of the Cosumnes this summer.
ReplyDeleteMark Kautz,
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They will catch trout for you. If you can't find them, email me and I'll hook you up.
Good to see an accurate representation of the A Wulff. So many times you see it online and it's completely different than how Fran tied it. It is a killer!
ReplyDeleteHave no idea what the mystery fly is, wish I could help. It looks like the emerger version of the Wulff though.
Dave Homrok,
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That's what Fran said. There's so much junk tied out there, if the Ausable is tied with the right materials it can't be beat.
Brk Trt, That nymph pattern looks like a variation of Fran's Muskrat Nymph pattern. The original body was tied with natural muskrat (gray). Very effective "match all" nymph. I suspect the pattern pictured is a variation of that pattern. Great looking Wulff by the way.
ReplyDeleteSend me an email when you get a chance. I have something for you.
Todd,
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With the response I've received I should be able to identify it soon.
The Wulff is a beautiful classic fly that works wonders. I don't know what the other fly is but I sure like it!
ReplyDeletecofisher,
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Fran Betters was a master at producing scruffy flies that caught fish.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xG9Cz-hg-9o
ReplyDeleteBrktrt, you may have seen this youtube of Fran Betters tying the Ausable Wulff. Fran's flies are amazing.
I know nothing about that second fly, but ditto the muskrat nymph similarity... and, a strong similarity to a orange bodied picket pin as well.
Enjoy the streams, woods and... life!
Will
Will,
ReplyDeleteThanks.
I have seen that video and it wonderful.
I have identified the fly and it turns out to be one of Frans favorites.
I'll post about it soon.
This fly in question is the "Ausable pickett pinn" I tied flies for Fran for many years and tied countless numbers of this pattern.....it was never in any of his books but yet it was a great fish producing fly! especially in the spring. For anyone interested I have a website going up in the next couple of days....it should be up by May 3rd.....I will have ALL of Frans patterns available....there are few people that have the exact recipe,colors and materials for tying his patterns and I am sure you will all be pleased with what I am tying WWW.strykerscustomflies.com
ReplyDeletestryker,
DeleteThanks.
That's the pattern.
I'll be looking forward to your site.
Actually Francis called this fly the Ausable Pickett Finn...not pinn...my website is up and running now....I do have more patterns that I will be listing but most of Frans patterns are up ie. Ausable Wulff, the Usual,Haystack and of course the "mystery Fly" swing by and check it out I'm sure you won't be disappointed!!! www.strykerscustomflies.com
DeleteThe mystery fly is a Bead Picket Finn. It can be tied with or without the bead. I just tied up a couple dozen. I knew Fran and tied for his widow Jan.
ReplyDeleteAusable Wulff = Gran Mosca!
ReplyDeletela uso en #16 y #18!