I’m sending some flies to Adam for a holiday gift. I asked him what he’d prefer to see. He mentioned he may try tightlining.
So, I’ve ginned up some nymphs that feature tungsten beads and competition-style barbless hooks, both the jig type and the Czech-nymph style. These hooks are extremely sharp and hold onto fish incredibly well.
The flies may not work well in winter, during which I think SJWs, eggs, scuds and midges are the way to go. They should, however, work from spring to fall, particularly at quiet seams among riffles and runs, as well as pocket water.
Here they are:
Upper right: Simple Perdigón nymphs. I a few months ago started fishing these flies, about which I heard from a competition angler. One such fly duped a 22″ brown trout with a massive kype, a new personal best for me. The flies have worked well. They’re designed to sink quickly to the strike zone. They’re now a permanent part of my flybox rotation
Bottom left: Fluorescent Perdigones. I’ve not yet fished with them. They’re a variant of the popular Rainbow Warrior. I like how these flies glow. These nymphs have some fluorescent material, which some think can be a strike trigger
Bottom right: Soft-hackled emergers. The left one has Hare’s Ear and a Hungarian Partridge feather, two classics. On the right, the segmented body is from a Coq de Leon stem. I had a stem left over and decided to use it. I like trying to be creative with residual material. The soft hackle is from CDC. It’s not easy to turn it into a soft hackle, and it’s not very durable. But, it’s crazy-effective on fish
Happy Holidays, Adam, and am so grateful that you’ve joined the blogging team!
Nice job on the Flies. I agree regarding using cdc soft hackles. They
were very effective for me the last time I fished the Swift.
Mike
Mike, thanks for the comment. Glad you're having success! What size do you fish. The ones I tied are #16, and I was thinking they were more for the non-Swift rivers. I know Adam likes to hit the Deerfield, etc.
Size 20, a pain to tie but worth the effort.
Mike
Couldn't help but notice the black bead heads. Have you found them more effective than gold or copper? Also, do you put a hotspot on top of the Perdigone nymphs?
I don't use gold or copper because I want to simplify what I buy and lower the bill–and, reduce the number of heavy nymphs I bring with me, given my middle-aged back.
I go with black because it's innocuous. If I want flash, it's cheaper and easier to use a bright thread, colored wire and or Flashabou/Krystal Flash.
On bright days, pressured fish sometimes want something very subtle. So, having, say, a Walt's Worm with a black bead (no hot spot or ribbing, even) can be the Golden Ticket. So, I always want that option.
Regarding your 2nd question, I use thread to create a hot spot collar. I use a black sharpie to put a wingcase on top of the Perdigones.
Hope that helps….
Yes I understand your thinking. This is the time of year I go through my boxes and figure out what to restock. I find that I could ditch most over half the patterns I carry and still have a successful 2017! Though as an avid fly tier that seems like heresy!!!
So true, so true.
Well, last year I gave away all of my store-bought flies to Project Healing Waters. I had so many flies I wasn't using, and I wanted to fish my own stuff. So, I think the flies went to a good cause, I received a tax deduction, and I freed up a ton of space.
I have been doing the same as anonymous as far as going through my flies. Rather than throw away duds or flies I didn't fish, I disassemble and re-tie patterns that I know I will use. At the same time my fly boxes get reorganized. I'd rather be fishing, but it makes for a good winter project with thoughts of my next chance to fish.
Best Regards, Sam
Thanks Jo, the flies look great and they do work in the winter!
Good to know!
Great blog. Really have enjoyed your posts, especially since it is specific to New England. Are you using all of these on the point? What size are you mainly tying these? I feel like I maybe need to go smaller most times.
Yes if water is deep. Off the dropper tag if the water is shallow. I tie them in #8 to #16. Hope that helps!