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I have always tied my spinner patterns for PMD's and BWO's with clear microfibets and they have worked well. On big stuff like drakes, I usually use a very dark set of tails.
I was watching Davie McPhail tie a very small spinner and he touted the use of black microfibets. I can see the logic of wanting them to stand out more while lying on the surface with the trout looking up.
Anyone have good evidence either way, other than assumptions?
I guess sort of on this order:
http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/...h/IMG_3386.jpg
How is anyone going to be able to prove anything one way or the other? Go with what you have the most confidence in. I think that the fish probably just see an impression on the meniscus. Just my opinion.....no evidence......Jason
Thanks Jason,
Was thinking someone may have tried both over time and has strong anecdotal evidence one way or the other.
I'm with Jason on this one, until we can communicate with trout...
However, some years ago I learned a method to split tails using a piece of floss, from Marc Petitjean. Thinking about it I realised that if you use a piece of yellow or green fluorescent floss (or thread on smaller flies) I would get an imitation of an egg sack at the tip of the abdomen. The difference this has made to the effectiveness of my spinner patterns has been marked. The first time they got wet I had a dozen in a film canister in my pocket. My fishing partner that day didn't have any spinner patterns. (He was a beginner, and didn't have many flies at all). I gave him the canister, and used the old ones in my box. Fishing casts about at a pod of rising fish he proceeded to out fish me about 3 rises to one. Rises being probably more significant in this situation than fish caught, as when the fish has taken the fly, the dressing has done its job. If you manage to hook and land the fish is dependant on your skill not the fly.
When, after much leg pulling, he gave me back one of the flies the number of rises I generated evened out. Now that doesn't prove much. All it can show is that a change in pattern of one turn of floss under the hook shank made a noticeable difference. If that can make a difference then the colour of the tails could make a difference. I suspect "suck it and see" is the way to go. If you try it, and notice a difference, you'll use black tails for them all in the future.
One suspicion I have is that they will make a bigger difference on slower smoother water than on fast tumbling water. Fish will have more time to examine the fly on slower water. Fast water means they have to grab it or miss out on a meal.
Cheers,
A.
Alan,
I was hoping someone might have already "noticed a difference" either way.................
I haven't tried them, so couldn't offer any more. Not likely I'm going to be in a position to do so soon, but I'll tie some up just in case the oppertunity presents itself. Don't hold your breath though.
Cheers,
A.