I tied up a few Griffith's Gnats with a little twist. A reader of this blog, Brad Basehore suggested I put a yellow post on the fly to aid in its visibility on the water. I used several different colors as well as different materials. The flies came out OK, but I have not tested them, hopefully soon.
Flies you will probably not see in your local fly shops tied like these. Most shops will carry a few but they are usually over-hackled and some even have wire bodies. These are old familiar patterns and those wise old anglers know of them very well. Top row are "Partridge and Yellow"....middle row, "Partridge and Orange"....and the bottom row, "Partridge and Green". I love tying these simple, elegant, and effective patterns.
A "Light Cahill" soft-hackle. These will be on the streams and the trout love them.
A couple of dry flies I was fooling with. They have no name...you can "name them" if you like. They to have not been tested.
Great looking flies, Alan. I bet each and every one will produce. Regards, Sam
ReplyDeleteParachute Adams
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Sam, that's what I'm hoping for. I'm going to give them a run tomorrow.
Alan - those Griffth's Gnats look like mini-bombers! Let us know how they work out!
ReplyDeleteMark Wittman
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Mark now that I look at them, your right.
Awesome looking flies Alan!!! I am sure based on your expertise that the brookies will love em!!!!
ReplyDeleteTROUTI
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Pete you are very kind....thanks.
Your pics might tempt me into fly tying vs fly buying. But I like the little old local shop. I'll have Rodney Flagg make them for me. Thank for exposing me to ideas.
ReplyDeleteBill/Tully
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I'm sure he would be delighted to tie some of those old timers, and when in your possession please fish them, and tell us of your success. Thanks for supporting your local shop.
Bill -
DeleteI grew up in Petersham. Rodney's dad was a character at the old Barre Ma store. He really helped me along as a kid. I was probably in the 4th grade and he'd give me pointers or give me a fly and tell me to tie some and bring them in the next time my dad brought me over so he could give me feedback. He was a heck of a character for sure. Rodney is as well - I probably have not seen him in 15-20 years. Next Time I hit the swift or Athol --> Erving areas on the millers or some of my favorite wild trout streams out there I really need to stop in.
Be well
Will
Will
DeleteThat's a wonderful story. I love comments like that.
Thanks.
I like your flies, I also like trout fishing with barbless hooks not harm fish ...thank you for display of that pattern
ReplyDeleteArmando Milosevic
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Armando I have found a barbless hook that I really like, now most of my flies will be tied on it.
Alan, the griffths look great,the other color I use is white when their is no foam around. The photo of the soft hackles reflects your love for this style of fly, those are spot on. They can be difficult.to tie that sparse, most soft hackles in shops do not reflect that simplicity. Great job. I agree that soft hackles do not show up much in shops, good reason to learn to tie. Thanks
ReplyDeleteBrad Basehore
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Brad I'm going to try those gnats very soon. I love everything about those North Country flies, from their histories to their simplicity and most of all I love fishing them.
Nice looking griffith's gnats. The only one I've seen in a fly shop.
ReplyDeleteHoward Levett
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Howard most tyers tie for fishermen, and fishermen seem not to prefer sparse.
Alan,
ReplyDeleteLove those. Nothing like a beautiful spider. So simple, clean and fish catching! I've not tried or seen the light cahill spider, I need to do a few of those up! The gnats are awesome - I agree with Mark, my first thought was teeny tiny bombers!
Keep well
Will
Hibernation
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Will I love spiders. The cahill soft hackle is a good fly when the sulphurs are about. The gnats could pass for mini-bombers.
Much like everyone else, I love those gnats.
ReplyDeleteI'll also name the last two Bert & Ernie. Because they're too good to be anonymous.
Michael Agneta
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Mike, Bert and Ernie are good choices.
Alan, I have enjoyed success on the Griffth's Gnats during Midge hatches. I use a Fluorescent Pink piece of yarn or foam to help me see it. Those Soft Hackles are terrific. Mine need work compared to yours!
ReplyDeleteGrandpa Mel
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Mel that's another highly visible material. I love the sparseness of the spiders.
Great patterns. Those partridge and orange look deadly.
ReplyDeleteRalph Long
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Ralph those little flies will draw attention "big" time.
As someone who does not yet tie flies, I can definitely appreciate your art. Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteFading Angler
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Chris I appreciate that.
Fantastic selection Alan. Great idea on the Griffith's Gnats, I can't see them anymore.
ReplyDeletethedeadfisher
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John that was Brads idea...and we all pretty much agree, we can't see them either.
Alan
ReplyDeleteI like the added color on the gnats; I can relate to the Partridge pattern, they work well on the Sipsey---the two "Soft Landing Dries" are fantastic ---thanks for sharing
Bill Trussell
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Bill trout everywhere will key on them at times. They are effective.