Who invented the y2k fly

I got to meet the inventer of the y2k this week while on business in Georgia. He was nice enough to share a couple new patterns with me, which I plan on trying on the White in March for my annual family sowbug roundup trip. Each of my three little boys have tied y2k's, and I keep their first attempts in empty hook ziplock bags with their names on them for posterity. My wife also got behind my vise one trip and tied a few y2k's for me(her first and only fly tying experience). I put one on the next day and caught about a 5 lb rainbow. Whe I introduced myself, I did not get his name. Anyone happen to know who invented the y2k?

Thanks,

Jason

Here's the story as I heard it at a presentation by the inventor of the Y2K fly.
The Lower Mountain Fork in Oklahoma has an annual one-fly tournament. You can use only one fly for the entire tournament and prizes are awarded on size and quantity. Many of the fish in the river are hatchery fish. One inventive fisherman (the speaker at the presentation) decided to create a fly representing a kernel of corn. The fly was wildly successful and he won handily.
I would have disbelieved him if I had not experienced fishing in Missouri with my best flies for one fish in an hour when along came a local with a spin cast rod, a bobber and a can of corn. He took ten fish (the limit) in as many minutes while I continued to struggle for takes.

I did some searching on the old internet and as close as I can come to an answer to the question, "Who invented the Y2K fly" would be
David Knowles of Arkansas. Here is a link to a video of a tyer demonstrating that egg pattern. In reality this fly pattern has been used for many years, often by gear fishers :) just possibly not given a name or maybe it is just because the name refers to a period of possible trouble, the name stuck with the fly.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_qM_8v5XBI

Larry ---sagefisher---

David Knowles is the man. He is currently teaching a class at Clemson but it was mentioned during my conversation that he is from Arkansas. I googled him, and he is listed as a professor at the University of Arkansas. So the inventor of the y2k is Professor David Knowles. Thanks for the help. Be on the lookout for a couple new patterns from Mr. Knowles. I will be trying them on the Norfork and the White in March.

I developed the Y2K in November/December of 1999, hence the name. My name is David Knowles and live in Fayetteville, AR, but work on National Engineering and Land Surveying exams in Clemson, SC. I also tie Y2K's and some other patterns for Unicoi Outfitters in Helen, GA which is whereBedlam and I met the other week. In addition I tie Y2K's for Three Rivers Flyshop in SE Oklahoma. One of my most popular flies here on the White River in Arkansas is the Ruby Midge which I tie for Dally's Ozark Flyfisher in Cotter and Three Rivers Flyshop. Don't fish the White or Norfork without them. I only tie for flyshops, but other shops can order the Y2K from Umpqua.
A friend just told me about this forum, and I look forwardto being a regular visitor.

Welcome to FAOL Dave. You live in an area that I have often wanted to travel to and do some trout fishing and bass fishing. Maybe one of these years I will get down there.

Larry ---sagefisher---

I thought it was Al Gore invented the Y2K :D. Welcome to the forum Dave.

caribe

Welcome Aboard Dave;

Any pics of the so called y2k ? Yellow egg ?

Welcome Dave, thanks again for the flies! I will be trying them out in March with my family.

I have several pics, but this one in the Umpqua catalog (I think tied by me) is as good as any.
http://umpqua.com/products/flies/eggs/y2k

I had the great fortune of watching Mr. Knowles fish a section of water on the Norfork (McClellan's Ace in the Hole) several years ago. I sat amazed on the bank as he caught fish after fish in what seemed like 2 feet of water. After landing a beautiful cutthroat he started making his way back to the bank. I casually introduced myself and he asked if I had caught any fish. Yes..was my reply. I was taking a break and eating a snack and was enjoying watching him fish. What did you catch them on? He asked. A Y2K bug I said. It's a new fly I picked up and they have been killing it. He laughed and said I created that fly. :) Mr. Knowles was kind enough to share several more as well as midges and emergers.

Later I ran into Mr. Knowles again in Helen GA while stopping in at Unicoi. After a grand chat and recollection of fishing memories again he gave me several new flies and asked me to try them. A true gentleman of our sport. A master on the water. Someone we could all learn a lesson or two from in generosity and sportsmanship.
Thank you Mr. Knowles for some of my greatest days on the water.

Best Regards,
Wade Blevins
~~~waders~~~