I had the notion to fool around with some small dry flies, and see if I could be successful on a small stream. The flies are as simple as one could tie involving only 3 materials. These flies are tied on a size 20 hook, the smallest flies I've ever tied. Thread was the body material, a turn or two of peacock herl for a thorax and some grizzly hackle. The flies were treated with Gink and were ready to be fished.
Tuesday was a real cold day. The sun was about which would have warmed it up a bit but the wind took that away. I arrived around 10 AM and found the stream with a nice flow. The water was as clear as it can be, November waters tend to be sparkling. I sent the mini dry on its mission and soon a small brookie rose.
Here are the size 20's with a size 14 to show some perspective.
In most areas of the stream I had brookies rise.
My first trout of the day. And my first trout ever on a size 20 dry fly.
A brown was taken here but tossed the fly.
A few drifts later and this fine male brook trout took the 20.
I continued to fish until the ice in the guides caused me to call it a day. I like catching fish on small dry flies. Perhaps next up will be size 16 streamers!
Good Job AL! Photo essay is great!!!!
ReplyDeleteTROUT1,
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Pete it's easy when you have a wonderful subject.
Welcome back Alan and a wonderful gift for us on your return. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteHoward,
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I've been around, just haven't done a post. I miss it buddy.
love all the browns (colors) in these shots. beauty of the season. :)
ReplyDeleteTexWisGirl,
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Teresa, brown can be a bland color, but when wet and cold it seems to look just fine.
Kudos on a nice effort with the small flies. I used to be able to see size 20's. Now I prefer to fish streamers and jigs most of the time..............................................
ReplyDeleteMel Moore,
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Mel with size 20 flies there's not many changes. Hard to see on the water 'til the trout strike.
Great to see you were able to fish something new and be successful. The tail on that good size male is massive ! He must've been a fighter. Beautiful stream as well
ReplyDeleteRI brook trout,
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That is a good feeling indeed.It was a bit on the large size, these fish I would say have completed the spawn and are now putting on the feed. If that brookie get some weight on himself he will be a real special catch.
I absolutely hate tying flies that small, but have. Congrats on your first size 20 dry fly trout! How can you tell the difference between male and female brookies?
ReplyDeleteJustin Carfagnini,
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They can be tough to tie. The male brook trout has a larger head, with a slight hook to the jaw, where as the female has a sort of rounded head. The male has a much more colorful body that tends to be orange.
Ah! Thank you, for clarifying that for me!! I haven't caught a brook trout, yet. Hopefully, I will soon. I know where they're at, but it's just a matter of getting to them. Now I'll know the difference between the sexes!
DeleteJustin, You'll have your day.
DeleteAlso some of the males will show a slight hump in their back. Those are awesome brookies.
A milestone. And pretty little flies. Well done.
ReplyDeleteJim Yaussy Albright,
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Jim it is a milestone. They do indeed look 'cute".
Nice flies and very nice picture, particularly the second one from bottom. BT, how did you fish those small flies, up or downstream? Thanks, cliff
ReplyDeletecphaneuf,
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Cliff, most times I fish the flies downstream. I find this to be easier and effective.
Very nice my friend!!! Seems you've been bitten by the small fly bug (pun intended). This is the time of year for it for sure. My favourites right now are adams and olive parachutes in #20-22. I haven't mastered the parachute style on a 24 yet!
ReplyDeleteMark,
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22-24's out of my league. It's fun to see them grab those mini's.
Nice looking small dries. I caught a monster brown one warm March day on a Class 1 stream in Connecticut. Got it on a size 20 Hornberg that I picked up in the Adirondacks. Those little flies really work.
ReplyDeleteApache Trout,
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John I think you gave me one of those mini hornbergs. I believe they do enjoy small flies, but how that hook holds so well is beyond me.
I've got a fly box with some size 20's in it. The box looks empty. I think I need better glasses. LOL
ReplyDeleteMark Kautz,
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I can relate to the better glasses friend.
Beautifully tied and as a result beautiful fish. You always share some good water with us. Thanks for the post.
ReplyDeleteAtlas,
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I can supply the flies, and sometimes they come out just right. But the credit for the water is higher up.