This may as simple a fly that ever was. Awhile back one of the blog readers sent me this sample. It is Jamieson's Shetland Spindrift Yarn, Oyster. This along with some thread and a few turns of non lead wire create what is known as Sawyer's Killer Bug. It's lives up to it's name. The 290 yarn is key and when wet you would not believe how life comes forth. The colors are awesome. The 290 yarn is cheap, for five or six bucks you can purchase enough of it to last a lifetime.
You can see the Killer Bugs here. I tie them in 12 and 14.
Here is the Killer Bug wet...beautiful color.
If you like fancy then wrap a turn of woodcock hackle. Effective.
These may get a new name from me. How about the Takayama Sakasa Kebari..."yellow jacket"...do you remember that photo of the yellow jacket just sitting on a leaf in the stream...maybe that's the reason for the popularity of this fly lately. I tie them from 14 down to 10.
The Killer Bug.....there is none simpler to tie and none that are as effective. I have caught more fish in more locations with that fly than any other. My fly box always has at least a 1/2 dozen of them in it. Nice post.
ReplyDeleteChris "Kiwi" Kuhlow
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Chris sometimes to much dough handling makes for tough bread. This fly gets it done. I think I still have one of yours from a swap we did many years ago.
A very simple and effective fly! I use it a lot . Sometimes with a soft hackle collar and sometimes on a jig hook with a slotted tungsten bead when the water is deep or fast.
ReplyDeleteShawn
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Shawn a wise angler you are. Variations of a pattern to suit the needs.
It's always amazed me that something so simple could be so effective; 14's and 16's up here. Love the Yellow Jackets!
ReplyDeletemike
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Mike I have had success with 14's here. Sometimes big is not always better.
Alan
ReplyDeleteI have a feeling the brook trout will enhale this fly! Thanks for sharing
Bill Trussell
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Bill they do. I've seen trout suck it up right off the bottom while it was laying there motionless. Good bluegill fly too.
I have a fly very similar to the Killer Bug. Worked well in a creek down by Yosemite National Park.
ReplyDeleteMark Kautz
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Mark this fly has been fished country wide. It's perfect in small streams as well as those bigger rivers.
Brk Trt, I love the killer bug. I havent used or tried the Jamison and or the legacy "Chadwicks" for which affordably you cannot find. For tying mine, I do use the Semperfli Chadwick's substitute. The semperfli substitute has the same result when wet as well as buggy effect as the jameson. And just an important FYI. "Webs" yarn store/warehouse in Northamton mass had whole skeins of Jameson shetland wool yarn a few yeas back, and it was around $11.00 for a skein.
ReplyDeleteThose same few years back, I was in the process of studying tying the traditional killer bug and read a lot of input and opinion in which were endless, but very interesting.
Yours look great!....Phil
DRYFLYGUY
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Phil those original yarns are nice for the one who adores tying these flies true to pattern. I do appreciate the commitment they have in their endeavor. For the rest of us who can live with a very close second I also appreciate their effort. Prices on some of these materials can be staggering when you consider other alternatives. Such a little bug, simple indeed and the history of it is endless.
Love those killer bugs, Alan. I look at them and I think caddis, but they could certainly imitate other insects too. The yellow jackets look absolutely deadly.
ReplyDeleteBest, Sam
Sam
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Sam caddis yes. But they remind me of maggots...do you remember fishing perch bugs? Man they were ugly but caught fish.
Alan,
ReplyDeleteI am glad you made reference to the Killer Bug as being a good Bluegill fly! I was wondering this as I read closely your thread and it's responses! I have to try this one without a hackle first then, over to a hackled version! I was glad also to hear such glowing reviews from others as to it's effectiveness!
Good stuff Alan! Keep them coming! And, the Yellow Jackets look terrific too!
Dougsden
Dougsden
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Doug I don't often fish for bluegills and I don't know why. I have a pond full of them a quarter mile walk from home. I will test the waters with the Killer Bug and that gives me an idea what the outing will be like.