I have noticed over the years that some of the flys that I have tied poorly work better than perfect copy of a pattern. Of course when this happens this I keep tying in the new varriation. And there are some flies that i have fished untill the last scrap of thread is barley hangin on the hook and it is still the hot fly. Has anybody else had these experiences. Thought this would be fun to talk about.
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God does not subtract from your life the hours you spend fishing. Herbert Hoover.
Absolutely. I have heard the reason is when you fish a fly for a long time and bang some fish with it alot of the materials start to unravel creating extra legs and making the fly more "buggy" looking. You are basically creating the same look as flies tied with a dubbing loop with the guard hairs sticking out everywhere. Not only that but you gain so much confidence in that fly because it's proven and you are going to fish it harder and pay more attention and therefore catch more fish on it.
I know exactly the sort of fly you are talking about. There is one in particular that I now tie continually without a wing and have reduced the amount of dressing on the fly by about half. Sometimes the ages old saying is true "less is more".
The muddle minnow and variations in its design are a constant in my fly box. I find it to be a very versatile fly and works extremely well in Ireland, both in high and low water. The first picture is of a typical tying of a muddler. The second, is one of the most productive flies I have ever fished with. It accounted for about 20 browns, 3 sea trout and 3 Atlantic salmon over two days of fishing, three weeks apart on two completely different types of river. There is now, no dear hair left on the fly apart from the head. However, I'm fairly certain if I was to tie it on and give it a cast, something might show a little interest.
Regards,
Denis
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Fly fishing is so enjoyable, it should be done in bed.
Yes that is what I am talking about, worn down flys. I cant tell you how many times I have been throwing dries and the hackle is unwinding ribbing is coming un done and so on. It has become some what of a game to give that fly one more cast and bingo one more on.
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God does not subtract from your life the hours you spend fishing. Herbert Hoover.
Most of the pretty flies are tied to impress the fishermen, not the fish!
There was a great article in a past CA Fly Fisher about this topic. Many of the commercial flies can be tied much simpler and be just as, if not more effective. Take a fox poopah for example. He ties them with no wire ribbing, no legs and no antenna. He just wraps the shank with tinsel, ties down the ultra chennile and a collar of ostrich herl, much faster and easier to tie.
