The grouse and flash soft-hackle wet fly has been in my box for many years. I first came across this pattern while reading Thomas Ames book Hatch Guide For New England Streams. It is a caddis pattern that when used at those "right" times is absolutely deadly. I came across a similar fly that featured a light tan thread body with pearl ice dubbing for the thorax and a very small grouse feather for the hackle. This fly was also good when I used it. I like this fly at this time of year, the reason is that's when it has been the most effective.
"Grouse and Flash"...Hook-Mustad 3906B...Body-Pearl Mylar...Thorax-Hare's Ear Dubbing...Hackle-Grouse
I tie these flies in sizes 10 through 14...I have also tried 16's.
Beautiful Alan. I really need to try this fly more. I forget about it, then see it, and think - AWESOME. Thanks for the reminder!
ReplyDeleteHibernation
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Will it's one of those flies that when put into use usually gets the job done.
Nice pattern and ties Allan. I'm taking your Pinkies and the Tenkara rod out this week.
ReplyDeleteTried the 6' 6" LL Bean 3 wt. this am on the rotator cuff and it wasn't too bad.
billp
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Bill the pinkie is a good choice. It's a great winter fly too.
That LL Bean rod sounds like a small stream tool.
It is a nice rod for my style (or lack thereof) of casting. Nice and relaxed like my Sage LL back in the day.
DeleteAlan,
ReplyDeleteIt is amazing how a few simple ingredients when added together create a winning recipe.......
I occasionally use a Waterhen Bloa with a pearly butt (to represent an air bubble on the emerging insect or so I have been told), a pattern that the great Cumbrian angler Paul Procter introduced to the UK in 'Trout & Salmon' magazine about 6 or 7 years ago.
I feel a tying session coming on before I go out to the river next - some 'Grouse & Flash may be hatching from my vice!
Thanks for sharing
Alistair
Alistair
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Alistair just look at those North Country spiders, simplicity to max and so effective.
Tie up a few and fish them. We would love to see how they do.
Alan - That's a new pattern to me and I do have the ingredients and will add it to my "to try" list. It looks great!
ReplyDeleteNJpatbee
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Pat, Ames book has been around for 15 years and I have been saying to myself tie some. They work well on bluegills and bass.
Hi Alan and friends,
ReplyDeleteI've had good luck with the grouse-and-flash for landlocks in Grand Lake Stream in Sept. and Oct., in small sizes #16 and #18. I also make heavy use of small down-wing Hornbergs for brookies in the Berkshires. Thanks, as always, Alan, for your wonderful posts.
Best,
John
John Strucker
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John I'll have to tie a few 16's-18's and run them past my brookies. The Hornbergs are brookie magnets. I appreciate your input.
John, the Grouse and Flash works for us up here on the Fish River in fall as well. I tend to use a darker thorax than Alan does but everything else is the same. A wonderful pattern, Alan, thank you!
ReplyDeletemike
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Mike a darker hears ear dub, or another dubbing?
I like to experiment.
Yup, just a darker hares ear. I leave it a little spiky.
DeleteVery nicely tied my friend! That's a great pattern for sure
ReplyDeleteMarkW
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Mark when I put it into service it's gets it done.
That is one beautiful fly! I think I have to add that one to my fly box.
ReplyDeleteChris "Kiwi" Kuhlow
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Chris by all means tie a few. Great for panfish and bass.
Thanks for the tip! On occasion, I see one of your soft-hackles with that orange & brown (or black) and wonder what it is or if it's dyed or naturally colored. Now I want some grouse.
ReplyDeleteMatthew Harding
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Matt they are grouse wings from the UK. I found them on ebay. Great coloring and marking.
Beautiful soft hackles, Alan. I imagine with that bit of flash the trout might view the fly as a small bait fish. Certainly a good attractor pattern.
ReplyDeleteSam
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The grouse and flash is a caddis pattern. It was created by Nick Yardley of Vermont. He fishes it i his home river Winooski. He says it fishes well in his native Yorkshire waters.
Sam it also works well in the Farmington.
Thanks for the heads up on using this fly on the Farmington, Alan. Haven't fished there this year, but will in the near future.
DeleteOh my gosh Alan.....the patterns above are beautiful and so beautifully simple! They look alive!
ReplyDeleteVery interesting and intriguing photo below! The upper one born of the water and the lower one created for the water! What a pleasing and surprising combination!
Dougsden