This mess on my desk represents the materials that go into two very effective trout flies. The flies are uncomplicated and pretty easy to tie. Both flies are good floaters. Materials used are Coq de Leon, black dry fly hackle, grizzly dry fly hackle Primrose silk thread, Black foam cylinders, and Danville black waxed thread.
The first fly is the Skilton Ant. The fly was created by Bill Skilton of Pennsylvania. This fly has taken it's share of trout from Maine to Virginia. It's construction consists of hook, black thread, foam cylinder, and 3-4 wraps of black hackle.
This fly is the "Mini Caddis"...it is a fly created by Humberto Zilocchi of Argentina...Humberto and I have exchanged e-mails over the last year, he is also a fly tyer who appreciates simplicity in fly construction. Not only is Humberto a fine fly tyer he also has a passion for brook trout. The Mini Caddis consists of hook, Primrose silk thread, Coq de Leon feather for the wing, and grizzly hackle. It is a good floater and fish catcher.
Hi Alan,
ReplyDeleteI like both flies - I'll give the caddis a try. Caddis seem to be very much on the brookie menu in my area. On a slightly different topic, I've noticed that although fly pattern isn't that important, wild brookies are much more likely than stocked fish to reject a dry fly that is dragging - even just a little bit. When I get the fly drifting perfectly in a spot with complicated currents, I know to expect a strike. Not exactly hot news, but sometimes I have to re-learn the old lessons.
Warmest wishes,
John
John Strucker
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John wild brookies are not always predictable. On a quiet pool they can be quite picky. Then again in a riffle or fast pocket they will slam most anything. All this is why we love fishing for wild brookies.
Couple of nice ties. One more thing about last post, It makes me think of growing up in Wisconsin. We used to run through the "cemetery" (very old, abandoned, cemetery) and it looked a lot like the pictures. Shaded, cool, and even though we moron children didn't appreciate it then, I do now.
ReplyDeleteMark Kautz
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Mark we were morons at that age. We missed a lot, and now we must make up for it.
Simple is good.
ReplyDeleteHibernation
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Will simply said, simply true.
Hi Alan- Brookies in Argentina? They're well known for their Rainbows. Did they stock Brook trout in Argentina, or does Humberto travel to fish them? Just curious, nice flies!
ReplyDeleteDean F
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Dean many many years ago I read a book written by Joe Brooks called Trout Fishing. He had experience fishing for wild brook trout in Argentina. Now obviously they are not native but they have done well in the wild. "m not certain wher Humberto fished for them but I'm sure he will respond to your question.
I just finished Joe Brooks book a few weeks ago. I didn't realize he was speaking about "our" brook trout. Good to know!
DeleteAlan,
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, thank you very much for including the "Simple Mini Caddis" fly in your post.
I'm glad you tied it (very well) and tried it successfully.
As a renowned Argentine chef, Francis Mallmann says, "Simplicity is the most difficult thing to achieve."
The answer for Dean F:
It is known that the salmonids in the southern hemisphere are all introduced, also that over time they became very wild, which makes them very interesting for sport fishing.
They have been in Argentina since the beginning of the last century, more precisely since 1904.
The brookies (among others) have been here since then in Patagonia and also in other places in the central zone of Argentina (Còrdoba and Mendoza for example).
And ... yes, luckily I have caught them since I became a fly fisherman in 1984.
Thanks and good fishing!
Humberto
Anonymous
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Humberto thank you for the clarification on salmonids in the southern hemisphere. I have seen some beautiful brookies you have caught. They have adapted well.
I love the Mini Caddis; I can't wait to try it on Maine Brookies. Thank you to Humberto for bringing it to us!
ReplyDeletemike
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Mike it's a god fly. It really shines in those slick areas of the stream.
Alan, amazing flies as always - what hook are you using in the Mini Caddis?
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