An icy stream in NW CT. yesterday. This place is off limits for awhile. Beautiful scene. Now the weather guessers are saying a major snow event for tonight and tomorrow. The snow I can deal with but when it covers up the ice underneath it's time to stay home and plan, tie flies, cook and maybe get organized, things such as fly boxes which have no organization what's so ever. Somehow the disorganized fly box is OK and works well for most of the year I still like to get it in shape for at least one month.
A soft hackle/spider. Just tied it looks beautiful in its dry state. But that's not how the trout see it and that's what matters. Below you will see just how these soft hackles appear when in the water.
This fly has a sparse dubbed body and hackles. If you look closely you will see tiny air bubbles on the whispy fibers. To a trout this shows life.
This fly shows those air bubbles on the dubbing and hackles. It also shows how the hackles move simulating life.
Here you can see lots of air tiny bubbles on the dubbing and hackles. Also shown the the orange silk thread body through the sparse dubbing.
This spider really shows how life like a few turns of hackle along with some sparse hares ear thorax dubbing can show life. Also the trapped air bubble in the thorax area is just what a mayfly does as it is moving to the surface to hatch.
Chilly days call for a hot bowel of "chili" No whimpy stuff here.
Brk Trt, beautiful photo of the winter stream, that should be on a postcard somewhere. Nice explanation of those soft hackle/spiders.
ReplyDeleteYes, I'm making home made chicken pie from scratch for dinner today, requested on my family. Good way to weather the cold....Phil
DRYFLYGUY
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Phil winter paints some beautiful portraits. Can't wait til spring.
Homemade from scratch, I have to hear about how it turned out. Today is a great day for a oven baked chicken pie.
Wonder where the name "pot pie" came from?
Alan,
ReplyDeleteThat winter stream scene it beautiful but treacherous. That is winter saying look but don't touch. Yes, time to get those fly boxes in order.
JJ
Beaverdam
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Joe a bit further up the water falls were frozen but you could see the water flowing under the ice. Took a pic but it did not come out.
Fly box organization is likened to vacuum cleaning.
Alan
ReplyDeleteReads like you like your chili with a kick; if my chili isn't spiced with some peppers then it isn't chili!
I like to fish your Hackles sometimes as a lead fly just above my dropper. I've found that set-up is deadly when the trout aren't feeding on the bottom. Thanks for sharing
Bill Trussell
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Bill I use three different peppers in my chili. It barks for sure.
Your method of fishing soft hackles is a good one. Many have had success doing the same.
Loved the pictures of the flies under water. Very informative.
ReplyDeleteKeith
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Keith they take on a new identity underwater. It's eben more dramatic in the currents.
Alan,
ReplyDeleteAwesome sequence of soft-hackles under water! I believe Pete Hidy referred to this as a hydrofuge.....? There is no doubt that bubbles, either small or large, spell life for trout! Your patterns foster this fact quite well!
It's probably a good thing that there are not many bubbles in your chili! For us human trout, the trigger in your chili is the look, the smell, and the taste! I hope you made a big pot because we are on your porch right now with empty bowls in hand!
I hope this brought a smile to your heart!
Doug
Dougsden
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Doug I knew that Mr. Hidy would have a term for it. I think he may have studied the soft hackle flymph every way possible. I wish I was able to meet him. The chili is smooth, with the kick of a mule when it hits the back of your throat.
I always make a good pot, I freeze some for later use.
I'm always glad I've learned to eat before visiting you otherwise I'd be dashing out to the kitchen on a fridge raid. Nice time for chili and good looking chili at that.
ReplyDeleteMark Kautz
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Mark I love those fridge raids, especially at 3am. Well made chili is comfort food.
That is an awesome sequence of pictures, Alan. Good stuff. I love the frozen stream picture at the top, makes me slightly less jealous of your weather. We had -10 below this morning and there isn't a patch of open water to be had anywhere. Snow for us Tuesday into Wednesday.
ReplyDeletemike
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Mike the stream is somewhat like your Maine weather. It has not gotten into the minus 0 but single digits is close enough for me. Snow falling now, expected to top out at about 12-14"
Ditto sitting here in the Philadelphia exurbs watching the promised second round of heavy snow and looking forward to getting some Partridge and Greens tied up for the flybox. Inspiring as always and that includes the chili!
ReplyDeleteKevin
Ned Zeppelin
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Kevin I saw on the morning news you guys got hammered. 2' in some areas of PA. A bowl of chili leads to some beautiful P&G spiders.