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| "Smoke Fly" |
In Robert Smith's book The North Country Fly I came upon this old pattern. I believe it dates back to 1890 and has several different dressings. The photo in the book is the one I tied and is pictured here. I can pretty much guarantee you won't be able to find this fly in your local fly shop or online. It really is a simple pattern, peacock herl and a hen feather, and I can tell you it is "very" effective, to the tune of a trout on the first cast and at one point 5 brook tout out of one pool. I will post that report in my next post. The name of the fly is the "Smoke Fly"
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| "Throstle Wing" |
Another North Country Fly is the "Throstle Wing"...now the availability of some of these feathers are difficult to come by, so one must try to substitute. I have not tested this pattern as of yet, but soon.
This North Country pattern is know as "Poult Bloa"...this is another old English pattern. This fly worked very well for me.
I am fishing the smoke fly this weekend for brookies on the Black River downstream from Tin Shanty Bridge here in Michigan. I am so happy for your report. The herl-and-hackle has been very good to me but it has taken a touch of patience to get the "ball" taper of the smoke to be reliably tough.
ReplyDeleteI do love micronwire after last fall and the stuff disappears in my herl so all keeps getting better.
Those are lovely ties. The barely-frilled thorax you achieve is just an art form in itself. Lovely technique to which we ham handed fellows can aspire! Those are beautiful pictures of stunning flies. Truely Smith colorplate worthy.
spike
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I hope you'll let us know how your fishing turns out. I would love to know how the Smoke Fly works in Michigan waters.
I appreciate your comments on the fly tying.
Very nicely tied as always.....Smith's book is an outstanding resource for North Country Flies.
ReplyDeleteChris Kiwi Kuhlow
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Chris his book is one of the best that I've purchased. I find myself checking out something in it daily.
Alan, I too am going to tie and give the 'smoke fly' a cast or two this weekend over here in Yorkshire. The Poult Bloa was one of my go to flies when I fished wet flies regularly (usually on a three fly cast with a Hare's Lug & Plover and a Water Hen Bloa).
ReplyDeleteAlistair
Anonymous
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Alistair we will be delighted to hear just how it works for you, please let us know.
The Poult Bloa looks alive in the water, it's incredible.
Very nicely tied Alan - those simple flies are so elegant
ReplyDeleteMark Wittman
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Mark they are truly special. That Smoke Fly was a big hit yesterday.
I need to try that smoke fly out - it looks awesome! Question though... Despite being a North Country fly, I, at first assumed it was intended to be a dry - reminds me of a beetle, ant, water strider, or maybe an emerger of sorts. But, given it's a "spider", I bet it's intended to be swung? How have you been fishing it Alan?
ReplyDeleteHibernation
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Will, it's intent is that it be fished sub-surface. In the streams I fish I fish it downstream, and where I can make a cast I'll let it float naturally in the current. I very seldom fish it with an upstream cast. I love letting the fly just hang in the current, then twitch and gently lift the rod tip...you talk about an explosion.
I can only echo the above comments, beautifully tied flies, that are deadly on trout! Their effectiveness is in the simplicity of the fly! Outstanding Alan as always!
ReplyDeleteTROUT1
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Pete the action that comes forth in the sparseness of the fly is so realistic. I believe you know just how effective this is.
Alan, do you suppose the "Smoke" fly would interest some Bluegills? That is what I thought..............
ReplyDeleteMel-Fly Tyin Times
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Mel it would be candy to them.
You sure you dont have Yorkshire blood in you Alan, lovely ties again mate well done
ReplyDeleteGeorge
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I just have a few great teachers, and a given talent to be able to tie these wonderful flies.
Alan
ReplyDeleteThose look simple to tie; these are the patterns I need to start with when I take up tying my own flies. Thanks for sharing
Bill Trussell
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Bill they are both simple and effective. They're also very enjoyable to tie.
Sometimes it's hard to imagine that those sparse looking flies would interest a fish.
ReplyDeleteHoward Levett
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Howard it is amazing that when you look at food sources available to trout that they would prefer these little flies. Remember the "Midgeman"?