PINE SQUIRREL CHEATER - Fly of the Week - September 21, 2009

[JohnScott]

... his first time using the PSC ( from a Visitor Message last month ):

"I have to tell you about my day. I used my usual flies and the fish showed no interest. So I had a couple PSC in "sculpin olive". The first one I tried, insisted on floating (I know you use a sink tip line), so I had one I had tied on a small jig head. I was shocked when my indicator did not go down, it went sideways by 6" before I could set the hook. Nice rainbow that jumped twice then broke off by 4x and disapeared with my fly. So I tied on the unweighted with a split shot and caught 1 more nice bow with the indicator and then switching to fishing it as a streamer hooked 2 more, one I got to hand. I went to the next hole and had 3 more vicious strikes, one trout was huge, came to the top and shook his massive head, the fly popped out. The hook had partially straightened! I wanted to let you know how successful your fly was for me, and to ask if anyone had mentioned using a weighted version. Thanks- Jeff"

Regarding Jeff's question about a weighted version, I have seen an almost identical fly using a cone head called the Pine Cone. It has been around for a number of years.

Jeff used the fly with several different presentations - he made it his own and made it work for him. That's what it is all about.

John

[Cold]

Thanks for bringing this up again. I tied up a slightly more 'compact', more colorful, flashier version of this over the winter, can't wait to get them some use!

[jimsnarocks]

John,
I saw this thread and thought Hey, been here, done this.
I hope by now you have your passport and get to travel a little out of the country.
I got mine this winter because they won't let me in New Zealand without one. A little tip. It takes 4-6 weeks from the time you apply until you get it. In my case it took 8 weeks because of my raggedy old birth certificate. Hey, It's 66 years old and I got it from my dad's stuff when he passed in '89.
If you are making international trip plans in the near future and do not have a passport or yours is expired, order it early. You can't book an international flight or even a cruise without it.

About the PSC, I plan to take some with me to NZ and try them out.

[fishdog54]

John Scott,

That PSC pattern looks deadly, and you can't ask for a simpler tie. I like the Pine Cone also! I like wooly buggers, but could easily get into the PSCs.

Cold - What size hook (Mustad - Salmon hook?) did you use, and what is your intended target? - steelhead?

Lots of good lookin flies guys! Thanks.

Best regards, Dave S.

[Cold]

Cold - What size hook (Mustad - Salmon hook?) did you use, and what is your intended target? - steelhead?

Those pictured are Mustad 36890, size 10. Intended for trout and great lakes steel.