In a post in November of 2010 Rod of "Dry Fly Expert" highlighted a fly that was first tied by Charles Cotton in 1676. It's called simply "Black Fly". Just a few weeks ago Rod did a follow up on the fly and I said I have to try it. I tied up a few, the only thing I left out was the fine silver rib, because I did not have it available. I love the fly because of its simplicity.
I took it out for a test run the other day and was thrilled as to what happened. The moment it hit the water I had a response. There were many more responses that day to the invisible fly, to the angler that is, but not so the fish.
A light rain fell for a while making everything glisten.
With all the rain we've had over the last week the stream was up a great deal. The waters were clear, and several runs and pools have changed a lot.
A wild brook trout that fell for the 350 year old pattern.
This swift run produced several trout. They hit the fly as it floated, and as it was swept under.
Several more wild trout fell for Cottons "Black Fly".
A nice brown was also fooled by the the "Black Fly"
At the end of the day it was proven that this "Black Fly" could take trout. Perhaps it worked the same when Cotton cast it upon his waters.
CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE
Alan - Love seeing those old patterns come to life again, I'll have to tie a few myself.
ReplyDeleteMark,
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It's such a simple pattern, it almost has to work.
Get some fine silver braid, or even wire will do, and your Charles Cotton's Black Fly won't get dismantled so easily by those sharp little teeth!
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RR
Regular Rod,
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Since that first fly, I have found some thin wire.
I will continue to fish the fly. Thanks for the inspiration.
Great looking fly. I'm going to tie some of those. I lost a nice sea run brown trout this spring on a similar fly the "knotted midge" in the late evening fished in the foam. I couldn't see the fly but I couldn't miss the explosion on the surface. :)
ReplyDeleteApache Trout,
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John tie some up you'll be surprised how well they work especially on overcast days.
Splendid post, love the pics and the smple pattern you used!! Have to take a tour soon with you.
ReplyDeleteTROUT 1,
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Pete I'll bet they could fool a Farmy brown.
love the bright greens brought out by the rain. :)
ReplyDeleteTexWisGirl,
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The last few weeks have been incredible outdoors.
Alan
ReplyDeleteI really like the hackle on this fly, and the fact you were getting some takes just under the surface. Sometimes for me those can be the most aggressive. thanks for sharing
Bill Trussell,
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It's a simple pattern, that can represent so many bugs.
Would work well on bluegills I'll bet.
It's always a great feeling when you tie something different, take it to the steam and catch some fish with it. If I had black hackle I tie some. That brown is beautiful. I wouldn't mind catching a few like that.
ReplyDeleteRKM,
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Kirk it sure is. And to think it's a pattern that has been with us for 350 years.
Lots of browns showing up in that small stream lately.
Nice, i like the simplicity of that fly pattern.
ReplyDeleteLQN,
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Long I do to. And what's more it works.