Archive for September, 2009

Root River Special

Hook: Standard nymph, size 12 to 18 (I use TMC 5262).
Thread: Black.
Tail: Brown hen hackle palmered through the body.
Rib: (Optional) copper wire.
Body: Black fur dubbing with guard hairs.
Head: Copper Bead.

Although I often experiment with unusual and exotic fly patterns, there is one axiom that holds true the majority of time – “Simpler is Better!”. It doesn’t get any simpler than this pattern. I’ve always done better with darker colored nymphs. Black has been one of the most successful subsurface colors for me. I tie this pattern in sizes 12 to 18. I’ve found it’s a great pattern to use prior to the famous little black stone fly hatch (in February/March) on the Mianus River (Stamford/Greenwich CT). Small size 18s work great everywhere I go throughout the season.

D.A. Caddis (Returns !)

Hook: Size 12 to 20 Curved shank emerger hook.
Tying thread: Brown.
Body:   Reddish Brown Blended fur.   I use rabbit.
Wing:  Black or brown deer body hair, around which is a sparse collar of   gray or light dun CDC feather.
Head:   Same as Body.

I’ve been doing the H.F.F.A. “Fly of the Month” now for about 20 years.  This was the first fly I ever submitted for the H.F.F.A. newsletter the Housatonic Quill.   It’s also the first time I have ever repeated the submission for the Fly of the Month.   By the way, we didn’t post pictures of the fly back then.  I have very good cause for the repeat.

First, its one of my secret flies.   One of the best I carry with me.  I’ve experienced phenomenal fishing with it.   And have given a ton of them away on the stream.  Not only is it a great caddis emerger pattern, but when tied larger and in a darker color, is a great Hendrickson emerger.   Heck, it’s a great all round’ emerger pattern.  I also tie it in sulpher/yellow for the sulpher hatch.

Secondly, (and I failed to mention this twenty years ago), it was developed by Dave Goulet of the Classic & Custom Fly Shop, which has recently closed its doors (2009).   We will all miss Dave and the shop.

Way back when this was one of the first flies I ever used with CDC and Z-lon.  It was a time when these materials first became commercially available.   I remember tying this fly at a meeting and people had no idea what CDC and Z-lon were and if they would work.   “My how things have changed.”   Here’s how it originally appeared.

This is a pattern which I have found to be extremely effective on the Hous.  It is tied on a curved shank hook which places the rear end of the fly underwater, giving the impression of an adult struggling out of its pupal skin.  Begin by placing the hook in the vice and bend it to the side similar to the technique in tying small dry flies.  The hook point will no longer be aligned with the eye and will increase your hooking ability.  Wrap thread along the length of hook from eye to midpoint of rear cruve.  Tie in Z-lon shuck.  Dub body ¾ way up the rest of the hook.  Tie in short deer hair wing.  Tie a sparse collar of CDC similar to the way you would for a wet fly.  Dub head and whip finish the fly.

I have found that this pattern works during black, brown & tan caddis hatches.  The CDC gives added visibility to the fly but most importantly, refracts light, a condition which mimics an emerging caddis.