Crappie Fly

The weather has cut into my fishing so I have been exploring fly patterns from the FAOL fly of the week entries. I found a fly by a fellow named wetfoot. From research I don't believe he is still a member.

The fly is called Alpha - Omega and is touted as being a super product for steelhead. The more I looked at this fly the more I thought it would work on crappie and perhaps bass. I tied up some in different colors and hopefully will get a chance to try them come spring. I tied them on a Mustad 9672 size 10 in orange, yellow and brown.

You can go to the search feature and enter Alpha and the fly will be on the top of the list.

I would like to get your opinion as to using this fly for warm water critters and if so in what size.

Thanks: Tim

PS - if they don't work on crappie I guess I could go to the Rogue River and try for Steelhead.

If you're targeting crappie, I would tie some up in black and chart, hot pink and chart, and just about anything with chart or black. :D

You would probably do better to take this pattern and change the dry hackle to soft hackle because you will get a lot more action below surface than on top. Chartreuse or pink would be my preference, or chartreuse+pink.

Look good.
I will tie some up with a bead head and use the dry fly hackle.
The dry fly hackle pushes more water and I think that helps.

Rick

Thanks for the input. I just happen to have some pink chenille and some chartreuse marabou laying around . I will put them to use and hopefully I will remember to give them a try and let you guys know what occurs.

Thanks Again: Tim

How about some pictures Tim. That would help out as well.

Best Regards, Ken

Quote:

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Originally Posted by OldBear

How about some pictures Tim. That would help out as well.

Best Regards, Ken

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Old Bear: My camera is about shot and I can't get as good of pictures as those on file of FAOL. To access the pictures on FAOL go to the home page and there is a search feature on the left side. Type in the word Alpha and then hit the enter key on the key board. When that page appears click on the article about the Alpha - Omega fly should appear in in detail. Hope this helps.

Tim

What about adding a tail? with a bead-head it would look a lot like a jig. which are of course killer on crappie. I have used white and silver to some advantage in the early spring. I agree the dry hackle would push more water but the soft would look better. I have had more luck with a soft hackle. Sure wish we could see some pics as well. Sorry bout he camera. bead-chain eyes might help as well. Might help flip it over and make it some what weedless add a stiff straight weed guard like squirrel tail. Of course by the time I get through here it won't even look like the original, lol! Have fun with it. HOSS

For those interested in a picture, here is the link to the FOTW with picture and tying instructions:

http://www.flyanglersonline.com/flyt...082100fotw.php

I've tied and fished something similar for crappies. Unweighted, it works great for fishing over the tops of weeds and along shallow shorelines. I TOTALLY agree with HOSSCOOPER that adding a marabou tail will help greatly with the overall action of the fly in the water, and its effectiveness for crappies.