In my car is this little slot, a cubby hole. In that slot is some moldy change a paper clip and this turkey call. Inside that call are a bunch of flies that for some reason have collected there. It's a combination of dries wets and a couple of streamers. These flies have proven their value over the years, and one in particular is the Picket Pin.
The Picket Pin is a cross between a wet and dry fly. It's shape is similar to a caddis fly or perhaps a stone fly. When this fly is tied weighted it can be a very good nymph pattern and when treated with Gink will make an awesome dry fly. I have tied and fished the Picket Pin for many years and when called into service always produces.
A while back a comment was placed in one of my posts on how small of a fly do I tie. I don't ever go any smaller then a #18. But here are a few #30's...these were tied by a fellow from Norway. I would love to see the fish that takes this fly?
Today is March 1st, the meteorological first day of Spring. This group of February Red soft hackles are on there way to West Virginia to temp some southern trout.
Alan,
ReplyDeleteThose are some tiny flies. Is that Norwegian fellow a brain surgeon?
Think Spring!
JJ
Beaverdam
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Joe he just might be. I had issues just trying to photograph them. I guess there are some pressured trout in certain waters where flies like these are required. I'm glad they are not places I fish.
March is a long way from spring up here. Hell, April spends most of its time thinking it's February. But still, March 1st always makes me feel good. It's a day that gives me hope. (not today; it's snowing like crazy at the moment) Love the February Reds!
ReplyDeletemike
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Mike your county should be featured on Life Below Zero. Even though we are some distance away from spring it still feels good to talk about it.
Tie some up on this spring day.
It always amazes me how a fish can even see a little bitty fly like those 30's.
ReplyDeleteMark Kautz
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Mark it was explained to me like...can you see an ice cream cone across the street.
Alan
ReplyDeleteAll the flies in my fly boxes are 18 and above. I know I may not get as many hits not using the tiny stuff, but my patiences wears thin when trying to tie on one of those tiny flies. Thanks for sharing
Bill Trussell
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Bill I'm with you. I would be frustrated as heck trying to tie one on. 12-14-16 for me.
Alan, back in PA we tied the "Picket Pin" with two strands of fine chinielle, tied in together and wound up the hook to look like a barber pole, as the body. Bulky peacock herl head and gray squirrel wing. A classic pattern I learned from Chauncy K.Lively.
ReplyDeleteJohn Dornik
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John those regional variants of fly patterns are great. Most times there is a reason for it. The original a classic for sure.