A couple of soft hackles I'd like to share with you. The one on the left uses Australian possum dubbing for the body and grizzly hackle. The one on the right uses a brown squirrel dubbing and a brown hackle. Both flies use orange silk thread. Both of these flies have been productive over the last weeks. One little addition to the recent success is the use of a larger size hook. I normally use size 12 and 14 hooks but while watching a video on the blog "Teton Tenkara" I saw Tom fishing a swift stream much like some of the streams I fish. His hookup rate was outstanding. So I asked him what size hook he used and he said #10...well I tried the larger hook and my hookup rate improved.
Alan
ReplyDeleteSmall hooks has caused me to lose numbers of fish over the years, especailly the size 18 midges----but there are times when one must match the hatch and go with the smaller hooks. My favorite size the size 14. Thanks for sharing
Bill Trussell
DeleteThanks
Bill you are right. matching a hatch particularly on tailwaters is a must. Most times those hatches are tiny insects. In the case of small streams the hatch is less important and there for a larger meal is a much better offering.
Yup, those CC cookies look a bit toasted. On the other hand, my opinion mind you, any CC cookie is a good cookie.
ReplyDeleteMark kautz
DeleteThanks.
Mark great minds think alike a cookie no matter the condition is a good cookie.
Interesting that going up in hook size increased hooks ups. Will have to do some experiments this fall!
ReplyDeleteAaron Y
DeleteThanks
Aaron it worked for me so I'm certain it should do the same for you. I take it you fish brookie streams?
Hi Alan
ReplyDeleteThose are some buggy looking flies there, I bet there is plenty of movement in the water (which screams LIFE to the trout in the stream).
Caramelized CC and black Columbian coffee, what more could a tired but contented angler wish for after a day in the Brook Trout Forest, or on the little river Leven for that matter?
Take care and stay safe
Alistair
Alistair
DeleteThanks
Alistair buggy and tasty to a brookie...
That is a great way to to enhance a burnt cookie call it "caramelized"...they were good.
G'Day Alan,
ReplyDeleteA larger hook will result in a larger fly and probably will be more appealing to a small stream trout. More apparent calorie gain for energy expended. Hell, that sounds too scientifically wordy! Basically like we would go for the hotdog over the cocktail sausage. Do you call sausages wieners or is that a regional US term? Here in OZ, sausages are often called snags--dont know why!
I've always liked slightly overbaked cookies, bread and pastries. I think this goes back to when I was a child in England and my grandma would bring home a woodfired oven high tin loaf of bread that always had a black top crust. I always, intentionally, slightly burn my toast. Toast, lots of butter and jam--simple but good!
Kindest Regards,
Steve.
Steve
DeleteThanks
Steve some call them hot dogs or franks which is short for frankfurter, sausages are different. I love them all no matter what they call them.
I to like my toast on the overdone side. Lather that baby up with butter and stand back.
Thanks for sharing! I have been fishing mostly size 12 and 14. It sounds like domes 10s are worth a try.
ReplyDeleteShawn
DeleteThanks
Shawn I to have been fishing that size. The 10's really helped, especially in faster water.
Beautiful flies as always, Alan! Also, I'm glad the #10 hook didn't fail you. That size works for me!
ReplyDeleteTom Davis
DeleteThanks
Tom I was impressed with those 10's. Guys check out Tom's blog Teton Tenkara...great info.
Alan,
ReplyDeleteI love those "spiny" flies that you show in the first photo.
good post!
I have also frequently used the "trick" of tying a small looking fly (# 18 or # 16) onto a larger hook (# 14 or #12) and have had very good results.
I do not forgive myself for having missed participating in your gifts!
Enjoy your end of the season
Humberto
Achalabrookies
DeleteThanks
Humberto they just look like bugs. Tying small flies on a larger hook will work.
Well hopefully we will all be here when the next million views come around.
The Equaliser. Nice.
ReplyDeleteBureboyblog
DeleteThanks
I'm assuming you mean the coffee...
I will trade you some cookies for a couple of those flies. =)
ReplyDeleteI love that last one. So bushy and picked out. That will catch fish.
The River Damsel
DeleteThanks
Emily that sounds like a good trade. Lot's of movement in those scraggly hairs.