Is there a wrong way? Is there a wrong color? Perhaps this is a question asked many times by anglers and fly tyers. I for one will not give a definitive answer mainly because I don't have one. I like to tie in a style where I generalize. Some will say "stick to the pattern as originated"...no I won't. Mister when you tie keep it sparse, count the number of turns of hackle, be consistent or your fly will be rejected...by the fish or by the fishers?
Above are a few olive and partridge spiders that I first tied several years ago for a trip to Shenandoah. They were extremely effective on the brook trout there and have also taken there fair share of brook trout every where when fished.
An olive body, tied with a brown hen hackle. This one has a turn or two of dry fly hackle to allow it to hang on the surface.
Here is another olive body tied with pheasant hackle. While to two patterns above have a sparse look this one has a fuller look. The hackle is wound three to four turns.
This fly is tied with a purple body, and pheasant hackle. The thorax is peacock. Both the peacock and hackle are tied full.
This fly also tied with a purple body. It features a partridge wing, tied sparse, with a mole thorax which is tied full.
I've showed you a few examples of wet flies tied in various ways. Are these better or worse than the concept of tying like they should be? I can't say with certainty, but what I will say is tie them as you like and let the trout decide......the fly above has been a killer on my last two outings. I guess they like dark bodies and dark hackle with a touch of peacock...
North Country Spiders here and they work well on the reservoirs for trout too. Beautiful tying too. There's an excellent book available in the UK called 'The North Country Fly - Yorkshire's soft hackle tradition. Regards, John
ReplyDeleteThe Twp Terriers
DeleteThanks
John I plan on using these flies in the lakes I fish.
I toyed with it last year but plan more time in the future.
I have that book, a great resource.
I would be surprised if all of these didn't catch brookies. Nice patterns for sure, Alan, and -- as mentioned above -- well tied.
ReplyDeleteWilliam Shuck
DeleteThanks
Bill your speculation on these flies catching brookies is probably based on their being known to be always hungry...I agree friend.
I tend to keep my soft hackle "spiders" on the sparse side but I am not fanatical about it. Some of my flymphs have a heavier hackle but I do catch more trout when searching with the sparser thoraxed partridge/orange and Tups patterns. Every fly you showed should catch trout - let us know when you try them.
ReplyDeleteNJpatbee
DeleteThanks
Pat that school of being perfect was never attended by the fish we seek. Both sparse and full have there purpose. That Tups is a fly that has proven itself to be a trip saver.
Two of the patterns I used on the creeks are stimulators and Sloan's Paralyzer. It didn't seem to matter what body color it was as long as it was orange, yellow or green.
ReplyDeleteMark Kautz
DeleteThanks
Mark I'm not familiar with the second pattern, but that Stimulator is an awesome fly. No argument on the color choice.
Alan
ReplyDeleteThey all catch trout. Once again your ties are beautiful.I think there is something to be said for these simple yet effective soft hackles or spiders. They are all deadly!! I don't know if it is the color or the movement of the hackles in the current, but we all know they work!
TROUT1
DeleteThanks
Pete I think it's a little bit of all you stated...but that movement "wow"
beautiful examples again Alan, I know for sure the old boys of the Yorkshire Dales where I have to privilege to now live would be very proud to have them in their boxes, a lovely job :)
ReplyDeleteGeorge
DeleteThanks
George that's quite a compliment. Perhaps one day I could fish the Yorkshire Dales.
Alan, I like these ties. I'm especially interested in the "jingler" dual hackle spider. I've tied many think-body jinglers but I have not tried the thread-body thin style of soft-hackle.
ReplyDeleteI will try this sparse style for opener. I've got new "salmon" colored silk for my opener Hendrickson imitation but apart from my cdc soft-shackles (thanks to you) I haven't got anything else.
I do now.
spike
DeleteThanks
Spike those Jingler patterns tied with full hackle are my standby, especially when I want to see if there are and fish. Most times it will draw a strike. The sparse Jingler works well on those slick pools and runs.
I to have that salmon colored silk.
Alan, I am of the mind set that when I look at a pattern I like to make it my own. You have showed wonderful creativity in the different styles of the same theme. One of the main reasons I tie flies is the creative part. If I have confidence in a particular pattern I know I will fish the pattern more thoroughly. Very fine work my friend, you never fail to teach me something new. Thankyou.
ReplyDeleteBrad Basehore
DeleteThanks
Brad putting something in or taking something out of a pattern will increase that flies fish catching ability. There may be several reasons it does so but the main reason will be the fact that fly will now get more water time and more water time will give that fly more chances to catch fish. Creativity is a big part of fly tying.
I'm intrigued by those spiders. I keep saying I'm going to tie some up and give them a try out West, but just haven't gotten around to it.
ReplyDeleteHoward Levett
DeleteThanks
Howard these flies will improve your fishing enjoyment.
They are also a comfort to tie.
Alan, I agree with your comment regarding the comfort factor. Furthermore, I think, at least in my case, it's attributable to the use of real silk tying thread. Also, I've been using yellow dyed starling for years for the "Yaller hammer" and other Southern brookie patterns.
ReplyDeleteJohn Dornik
DeleteThanks
John silk has a quality that makes me feel good. Hard to tell if it has a definite effect on the fish.
The yellerhammer is why I picked it up. Fun times ahead.
Alan
ReplyDeleteImpressed with the color vibrations and patterns that one can create using the vice; I have a feeling one or two of these patterns will be used soon. Thanks for sharing
Bill Trussell
DeleteThanks
Bill changing color gives the tyer-angler a choice on the various insects that frequent the streams we fish.
Your right they will be put into action very soon.
Always wanted to know if a fly fishermen can cut down branches around specific areas/pools to help them cast the fly. Are there laws on this? I know governments have become very protective of wet lands. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteMrKevinkins
DeleteThanks
To remove a branch or two that has fallen into the stream could be removed and would not create not to much of an issue. But cutting live trees or brush may not be legal. A certain amount of woody debris is beneficial to the trout.