Feathers that I found in the woods a few weeks ago that I felt had some special meaning because of where they were and why they remained there for sometime. That meaning has never been quite answered but the feathers created a simple soft hackle wet fly that I first considered not to fish. There are times when you just tie a fly or flies that are just for the pleasure of tying. As you know if you have followed my writings you know I love to create, "freelance" for lack of a better word many of the flies I tie. Traditional patterns are good and time tested but I like to create my own.
Back to the subject which is what I did with those feathers.
Late spring, the greens are incredible.
This is a perfect place to try the new soft hackle. A little bit of speed in the current going into a deeper pool. The fly sweeps in fast and suddenly starts to slows and fills out.
The take was typical and the fish beautiful.
A classic creation? I don't think so but to me it's world class.
When you try those "freelance" flies, it always helps when the fish cooperate. It's a great feeling, I know this for a fact.
ReplyDeleteMark Kautz
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Mark they say every fly has it's day. But being creative your flies bring forth so much more.
Sadly Alan it looks like our New England "spring" weather is going to curtail my fishing this weekend. I had hoped to spend dawn to mid day on Saturday chasing brook trout. But instead I will be helping my wife clean the house thanks to yet another round of perfectly timed wind driven rain. I have 12 wet/cold hours looming on Sunday but at my smoker. Apple wood Ribs, brisket and Chicken will improve the family's disappointment about the weather. Monday afternoon might be dry depending on which guesser you follow. Stay dry
ReplyDeleteDean
Dean F
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Dean we could use the rain but it would be much nicer if it came at night. The guessers are all over the place as far as timing goes. I'll give you this that menu you have planned should put smiles on the family's faces, I know it put one on mine. I do hope you will be able to get in some stream time.
G'Day Alan,
ReplyDeleteI'm often tempted to head out with no flies and just a selection of two or three sewing threads, a few hooks and then make a fly by hand with whatever wild fowl feathers that I find. There's always duck and parrot feathers wherever I fish. It would be a buzz to catch a trout on such a "freelance" fly.
No fishing for at least a week, possibly longer--I hope not. Our state government has locked down the whole state yet again! All for just a few COVID cases in Melbourne.We'll know our fate on next Friday morning.
Dean F--Brisket---one of life's many joys! I slow roasted one yesterday and we will enjoy it for the next two days. I had mine with just a faint smear of Sambal Olek chili paste--emphasis on "faint", as that stuff would make steam come out of a polar bear's posterior--please forgive the crudity! "Apple wood ribs"--are they ribs smoked with apple wood chips or ribs with roasted apple or apple sauce? Either sounds delicious.
Our trout streams close in a week or so. Hopefully, this lockdown will be lifted before then. Fingers crossed!
Kindest Regards,
Steve.
Steve
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Hey mate you just put a idea into my head. I like your approach of bringing a few hooks and silks to the stream and letting nature dictate the fly that you'll fish. That covid bastard just keeps messing us up. We got our final dose of vaccine today. Here in CT we have been fortunate as far as lock downs go. They never shut down fishing. Hope....
Fantastic! Your story convinced me to take the plunge and order a vise and some tools.
ReplyDeleteShawn
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That's great Shawn. You don't have to go crazy at first. have fun. If you need something perhaps I can help you. Just email me.
Alan,
ReplyDeleteOf all the photos you have presented the last you may be my favorite.
JJ
Beaverdam
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Joe it's one of my wife's favorites also.
Simple but it say's a lot.