A very simple fly of Z-lon tail, maroonish-brown thread body, brown rabbit thorax, grizzly hackle, red thread (6/0) head on a size 12 hook. Nothing fancy needed. Simple, effective patterns often beg for amendments: ribbings, wings, flash. I am prone to this, as it is part of the fun of fly tying and fishing. Simple wets, large to small are effective, with presentation/location as important as adding flash and dash.
The possible front end of the March Brown hatch could result this month. I have been tying chunky tannish-brown GRHE’s for nymphs and have some dozen or so adult patterns that I tied, but never got to fish last year. I thought I would tie up an emerger pattern and after that I will tie up some wet flies for the March Brown hatches, should I be fortunate enough to land on a stream with the hatch.
I tied this Emerger or Cripple pattern to somewhat follow the Quigley Cripple, but after a half dozen or so, I would not go that far. It seems serviceable enough but is a little chaotic on the front end.
I had intended to add some strands of Z-lon or Antron for a trailing shuck, but like my entire day, I could not locate it. So I used a bit too many Pheasant Tail barbs for a tail/shuck. I then tied in two additional barbs of PT and an ultra fine, copper wire rib. I wound the PT up the shank to the thorax area and tied it off, followed by the wire ribbing, wrapped in the same direction and tied off. I then dubbed a brown synthetic/rabbit blend (I am allergic to rabbit, so nose still runny) for the thorax. I followed this with a small, stacked clump of Coastal Deer hair tied in at the thorax area so the tips extend out over the eye of the hook. I finally tied in a Grizzly hackle and took several turns of hackle (perhaps one turn too many it appears). I whip finished the fly.
So, after a half dozen, the Emerger or Cripple pattern, was a bit too messy near the eye. The 8/0 thread was either to thick or I was using too much of something: deer hair, dubbing, hackle wraps, thread wraps. Sparser would do it.
A while back, I pointed to Don Bastian’s site, Don Bastian Wet Flies. I made an observation re his personal life that probably was not my place to make and suggested he was taking a break of sorts. I was wrong and apologize for that inappropriate comment. In fact, he is at full capacity and I am highlighting what most trout fishers would twitch over…a simply, perfect Adams Wet Fly. Utilitarian and elegant at the same time. Check out Don’s site for the pattern, below, and for everything about the classic, winged wet fly.
Don Bastian's Adams Wet Fly, Size 6
Fisheads Flies 'n Lore
Via Spey Heads (FB) for Fish Heads Flies and Lore
Indulgent individualism? Rebels without a care? Whatever, they help tweak the realm, even if you hate them, envy them, support them. Sometimes fish bums are akin to foodies, the well traveled, the spoiled few….you want to just slap the shit out of them. Then again, you like knowing them too.
Diving, sinking or tumbling, I am not sure a fish will ever extract the niceties of the barbules of a pheasant tail feather barb. Many synthetics, today, grab the movement or flash that suggest movement/life for an offered replica. But, for a natural material that has just the right color, edginess and durability, Pheasant Tail barbs are a wonder material.
Pheasant Tail Antenna/Wing on BH Caddis Pupa (SwittersB)
Nice SBS tutorial here on assembling a winged wet fly and the reverse wrapped hackled body with the ribbing material securing the hackle. The technique of wrapping the hackle front to back and wrapping the ribbing forward over the hackle to bind it down has been used in the Elk Hair Caddis. Most often the the hackle is wrapped rear to front, but her is another option at Flytiers.Pl
Ginger Wickham's Fancy Wet Fly STS
Many of us have that favorite lake or river or small stream. One of my favorite lakes has such a positive memory bank, I can hardly let myself think of it this time of year. Too soon. Turnover
by Associated Press
kgw.com
Posted on February 13, 2011 at 12:25 PM
SALEM — Authorities have recovered the body of a 46-year-old Salem man who fell into the Santiam River Jan. 27 while fishing with a friend in Gates.
The Marion County Sheriff’s Office said the body of Troy Topper was recovered Saturday night after two fishermen in a drift boat spotted the body about 15 miles downstream from where he fell into the river.
The Salem Fire Department Water Surface Rescue Team assisted.
Topper was fishing from the river bank Jan. 27. He lost his footing when he went to the water’s edge to wash his hands.
His friend tried to pull him from the fast-moving, 38-degree water with a fishing pole but was unsuccessful.
The above news piece, is a sad and sobering reminder of what if’s and the attendant visuals of what friends and strangers went through over the man’s deadly mishap. I was reminded that a week ago, I hiked into the Sandy River at Oxbow Park. One spot in particular drew me and the one obstacle between me and the river was a ten foot+ high half a mile long pile of trees and debris from recent high waters. I made it to the river and out, but ignored a ‘what if?’ self check moment. What if I miscalculated and stepped into a hole at the top of the debris and plummeted downward out of sight? Sure, family knew where I was headed “Oxbow and if not there above Dodge”.
But, if I am late coming home, there is often going to be a delay filled, anxiety laden night for family and rescuers. Rescuers are not going to risk their safety climbing atop a drift pile, if they initially think I am even down in one of those crevasses of debris. Most logically they would assume I drowned or am down on a trail.
Outdoor pursuits are, of course, inherently dangerous for all manner of reasons. But, a primary danger are falls (even at home) for outdoor types. So, my what if, self check mechanism should have been activated and more patience maintained to spare rescuers the dangers and costs and my family the nauseating gut check of their own what if’s. Exercise caution while having those alone moments and hearing the call of the river. Condolences for the family, friends and those that recovered Mr. Topper.
