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First: Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all.
Next my question: I have seen comments in several places that the Light and Dark Spruce streamers are among the better old classics for trout and smallmouth across the country. If this is true, which of them is preferred for which fish? :confused:
Attachment 9510
This is a Bob Jacklin spruce fly. Bob would probably call that one a "light" spruce. Which is better? Light or Dark?
....possibley changes hour to hour.
Tie both and a 3rd one a fire tiger color. I get great results in these patterns especially in a tube version in fast water. Most fun you can have swinging classics.
MY departed friend the CAMPMASTER used either a 4 or 6 rear wing on his spruce streamers and pointed the tips out like on a bass bug and had great success with them. I recall that the 6 feather wing version was on larger hook sizes like size 2 and above. As far as light or dark let the fish tell you. Now do you use flooss or wool for the red on your bodies ? I would be intreed in seeing a picture of the Fire Tiger Spruce.
Fishin' Jimmy
Oh, the good ol days. Guess you better tie both to have in your fly box. ;)
Hi Ray,
We've long used the Spruce Fly Streamer in both colors and have to agree with Sandy; the fish prefer one over the other on an every-changing basis. We like to tie our Spruce Fly Streamers with a fanned squirrel tail underwing to help support the overall wing profile. Does it work better? Yes, it seems to but understand the fly you have at the end of your tippet is the one that will catch fish and we tend to have more with the squirrel underwing than we do without it. Take care & ...
Tight Lines - Gretchen & Al Beatty
www.btsflyfishing.com
How do they rank as trout and smallmouth patterns?
Ray
The spruce is one great all around streamer. It Just swims like a bait fish!
Fishin' Jimmy
I have a question for Al. What do you use for the body? Red wool or floss?? Like you idea of a fanned squirrel tail underwing. Here in Wisconsin The Lama streamer is simular to the spruce but wood chuck is used for this hairwing streamer. For people how have not used woodchuck before it is a little oily or slippery to use. and it also semifloats. Ever tried woodchuck Al ?? I think it may ad a little more lift and saperation to the wing.
I AGREE THAT THE FLY ON THE END OF YOUR TIPPET IS THE ONE THAT CATCHES THE FISH.
Fishin' Jimmy
Excellent! I swing them a lot on light spey rods.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ray Kunz
I am a devotee of the Llama fly also. And would note that gray squirrel (tail) and woodchuck (body)behave similarly and even look somewhat alike. They both are slippery but they both resist flaring. They are among my favotite materials.
A nice feature of Woodchuck body hair is that you can find it in different lengths to suit different size flies.
Hi Fishin Jimmy,
I like floss but have used wool as well. Take care & ...
Tight Lines - Gretchen & Al Beatty
www.btsflyfishing.com