Last Thurs afternoon/eve I fished Putah with my buddy Ricky aka "Ricardo" Lopez at access #3.Ricky got there late and only was able to fish about an hour,but I was able to get about 3 hours of quality fish time.With the low flows I decided to start off with very small flies but managed only one fish within an hours time.So I decided to try my Yellowjacket pattern that I developed about a year ago,and man did it pay off! I managed to land at least 33 fish and lost probably more,most of which were from 8" to 12" but did land a few 16 to 17" fish.I used this fly as a dry and also sank it with a little weight and no indicator.I notice that when the fish hit this fly they really hammer it and I also notice that they sometimes will hit it twice,which is very uncommon for this to happen on a consistant basis with any fly.As the fish continued to eat my fly the fly became more and more distressed looking but that seemed to make it work that much better.I just returned home from another deer hunting trip and on the way home I stopped off at the Pitt River and fished for 1.5 hours near Pitt #3.I used the same fly and with the same results,16 fish were landed this time the fish were a little larger than those I caught on Putah a few days prior and I didnt dry fly fish on the Pitt either.
I currently am in the process of selling the pattern and a few others to Umpqua feather merchants so I'm not sure if I can or should disclose the pattern untill I speak with my rep.I'm sorry and as soon as I have a clearer picture as to what I can do I'll let you know.
If I were you I wouldnt show anyone the fly unless they bought a guided trip with you. No sense in giving away your secret, if it works so well lots of people will start using it and it will be harder to get your clients into fish. I would keep it under wraps.
Greg, good for you and hope that Y.J. fly is a success. I would really like the first opportunity to PURCHASE that fly when it is available so any information you could send would be fantastic. Unfortunately in these situations, I imagine one has to be careful about their creativity so that another won't steal the idea, don't blame your "corporate" approach one bit.
Thanks for putting this website together as well, it is much appreciated and keeps me sane.
On another note, which part of the Pitt did you fish, above or below Britton? What incredible area.
Thanks to all for responding about the corporate issue,at least now I don't feel quite as guilty.Ironically today I was at the creek again for the first time since the time I landed 33 fish on that yellow jacket fly and I didnt do as well.I landed only about 8 or so fish most were small exept one 18" fish,and I do notice that this fly seems to work alot better in faster pocket water as opposed to slower deeper runs.The trip to Pitt river was in the #3 area and again did better in the pocket water,which is normal for me when I fish the Pitt.High stick nymphing with no indicator is the ticket.