North Country Fly...How I love Simplicity.

North Country Flies are some of the most simplistic, realistic impressions of actual insects ever created. The fly in the photo shows what appears to be some feathers on a hook and not much else, this is true. It's so simply tied and when placed in the stream it takes on the life of something trout actually see.

A hook, thread body tied in a fashion to create a rib, scant dubbing for a thorax consisting of squirrel and ice dub., a turn or two of partridge hackle and it's done.

When the fly is placed in the stream that's when the realistic aspects of the fly takes place. The movement of hackles, and when allowed to sit motionless in the current the fly will also look alive. Translucent is a key. The little bit of dubbing with one or two ice dub fibers glimmering form a life like body.

It's no wonder this style of fly has been around for hundreds of years. I can't wait until the time comes when I can drift these flies again.

That Red Barn again...and a big brook trout.

New Years Day we all got together to fish and....I'm sure you have read of these outings before. This is a post about a special fish from that outing and to highlight one of the most peaceful areas in which we fish.

The brook by the red barn was flowing nicely sending its waters to the larger stream it supports. Along this stream are two bridges, one a solid stone plank, and for the life of me I can't figure out how they got it there, and a more conventional wood bridge further up. I have good memories of trout being taken from under the stone bridge but the other not so. Kirk had worked his way up the stream, along with Rowan and John. Fishing various flies and working those likely spots where a brookie might hold.

Kirk likes to fish the Gartside Sparrow. The sparrow is a nymph-soft-hackle, wet fly. He has used this fly with success in the past. The fly he was using had a bead-head to add a little weight.

RM Lytle Photo

The sparrow was cast into the pool under the bridge. A moment later the brook trout struck. Kirk had a battle going as you can see from the photo "that glass is a bending friends". I know in his mind there were thoughts of the fish twisting free, but Kirk prevailed and soon a true "biggie" was at hand.

RM Lytle photo

A beautiful healthy female brook trout. Taken from a small stream. She was photographed and quickly released to find her spot under the bridge in the stream by the red barn.

Congrats Kirk............

More soft-hackled flies...opinions needed.

The start of the new year, cold weather kind of slowing the fishing, and the time to talk, and tie flies. While digging through my hook "mess of a drawer I came upon these hooks. They looked like they could be useful in constructing some soft hackles. They are in no means traditional hooks used in the North Country flies, but I tied up a few and they don't look to bad. The hooks are Allen N202 #14. They classify this as a Hopper-Terrestial....the second is Cabelas Model 21 #14...classified as a stonefly, stimulator hook.. The Allen which I prefer has a slight curve to the shank as well as down-turned eye and is slightly shorter. The Cabelas hook is somewhat straight shanked with a straight eye and is a tad longer.

Here they are side by side...Cabela's top, Allen bottom.

Here are a few soft-hackles tied on the Allen hook. I love the profile and overall look of the hook-fly.

Here is the Allen and Cabelas hooks side by side. The flies look similar but I still like the Allen hook...."What say you"?

While the answer to the test will be the fish, soft-hackle season is still some time away. Buy the way we have some fly fishing shows coming up..."lots of stuff" there.

A New Years Day Tradition Continued. 2016

Yesterday a group of us known as the 'Crew" got together for a New Years Day tradition of fishing a small stream. We have been doing this since 2011. Myself, Pete, Kirk, John, Mark, and this year we invited Rowan to joins us for the kick-off. In years past the weather has been tough, but this year it was angler friendly, and that was most appreciated.

We all walked in together and soon split up. The stream was full of water and I knew the fish would be about, all that was necessary was finding them and getting them to eat.

I found this nice run with a slight riffle. The fly was put into service and it was soon bumped.

My first fish of 2016. This spunky, healthy brookie was a joy this day. In that run I hooked a few others.

Another beautiful brook trout. These fish were well fed and healthy, a tribute to the pristine habitat, and those who care for it.

We stopped for lunch. The menu was hot chicken soup, baked beans, hot dogs, venison jerky, donuts, cookies, coffee, soda, and water.

My last fish of the day...a very dark colored jewel...wild and strong.

The afternoon took us to the stream by the red barn, which was decked out in it's holiday finest. It was in that little stream that Kirk managed to hook one of the biggest brook trout to ever come from that stream. I will do a post on that achievement soon.

It was a good day to be out with you gents....