In the days before the brown trout found its way into the waters of the east our only trout, native to the east was the brook trout. This fellow had the reputation of being easily fooled and some of the flies tied for his capture were very colorful. While looking through the book "Forgotten Flies" I was taken with the amount of colorful flies that were tied and used in a day when high tech flies were "what are you talking about"..not needed. Some of the wet flies of Ray Bergman, Charles DeFeo, and Mary Orvis Marbury were works of art with colors galore, all with the purpose of taking this wonderful char.
With some semi soft hackles, various tinsel and colored floss, with peacock herl I have tied some stylish colorful brook trout flies. These are the first four in the series of "BT's Flies".
These flies will go to work in the better days to follow on various brook trout waters.
Gorgeous ties! The orange body and yellow body flies just scream to me. There is something fun about fishing attractors - it feels like it's possible at any time... compared to "hatch matching" which creates lots of little doubts. Enjoy fishing those flies Alan!
ReplyDeleteWill
Hibernation,
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Well said Will. I love fishing attractors too.
I love that fly with the pink wings.
ReplyDeleteriverwalker34,
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Pink is a color that has worked well for me in past outings.
Some wonderful ties that add more sunshine to a cold winter day.
ReplyDeleterivertoprambles,
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When I took the first fly photo it looked so bright and it made me feel good, and I'm happy it made you good on another cold winter day.
I like them. Great colors. Bright and sunny looking.
ReplyDeleteMark Kautz,
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They have that look for sure.
Very cool flies.
ReplyDeleteApache Trout,
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I hope I'll be able to fish them someday....weather permitting.
Those flies should turn the trick. I may tie one or two for the day after a hatchery truck stop.
ReplyDeleteSavage,
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Good idea, hatchery rainbows will jump on them.
Outstanding looking flies man! well done!
ReplyDeleteJuan,
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I appreciate your comment.
Better days to follow? Not Monday. Ha. Great looking ties! Spring will come
ReplyDeleteSwamp Yankee,
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I've seen the forecast and I don't like it. Running out of feathers.
Nice. Really like that last tie. And the header photo is a classic.
ReplyDeleteJim Yaussy Albright,
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That might work on one of your Oregon rainbows.
A cooperative brookie.
Alan
ReplyDeleteThose flies look too nicely tied to fish, keep one of those for your personal collection, and let the brook trout inhale the other two. Thanks for sharing
Bill Trussell,
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They're all working flies and will be put into use soon I hope.
Simply put, Alan, those are beautiful flies! Thanks for your "angle" on Brook Trout history.
ReplyDeleteMel Moore,
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I like your play on words. Very fitting.
I love fishing a soft hackle under an EHC.
ReplyDeletetim,
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It's enticing.
Soft hackles are a pattern I need to grow more comfortable using. You sure tie some beautiful ones. Maybe it's time to go outside the "box" more. Any interest in selling a half dozen? If so shoot me an email at bdale@ku.edu. Thanks for the post and again absolutely gorgeous patterns.
ReplyDeleteAtlas,
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I'll send you an email soon.
peacock herl to fly-tyers >> is like
ReplyDeleteMans best friend...( REALLY Love my DOG)
nice flies....ALAN !!!
Dave
flyfisher1000,
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And to the trout there is something magical in the beautiful peacock.
I love the soft hackle fly. I have yet to tie any but they are a pleasure to fish and boy do they catch.
ReplyDeletePeter Carlson,
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They can turn a day around for sure.