Fly propellers, what size to use

[kelkay]

I happen to think a propeller on a fly, is still a fly. I like propellers on flies. I believe Tom Nixon used to hear a lot of stuff similar to what has been said here. Funny his book is a collector's item now. I admire his work a lot. Remember a long time ago people used flies that were much closer to a lure than a fly. Ray Bergman would use such lures/flies. When things got tough he pulled out the baitcaster, or he used live bait. I love to catch a fish, so I will use whatever method I think will give me a better chance of landing a fish. Most of the time I prefer to fly fish. But sometimes I just love using my spinning gear, or baitcaster. Once in a blue moon I actually buy minnows and use them. I'm with Ray, whatever works is what I will try to use. Some days flies tear 'em up, some days conventional gear is better. Usually fly fishing to me is better...so have fun with a propeller, and no guilt.

[herefishy]

And what is the other name for Pistol Petes? Seems like it is some guy in Colorado.

[thorarinna]

I once tied propeller flies for a fly swap here.
I only had one or two for my self and I have lost them all I think.

I recall that the problem I had with them was they twisted the leader a lot.
Maybe there is a solution for that?

Thorarinn

[Normand]

And what is the other name for Pistol Petes? Seems like it is some guy in Colorado.

http://www.pistolpeteflies.com/

click on "hi country flies" at the top of the page for the history

[pittendrigh]

I stumbled onto this with Google, from a John Geirach book: Favorite Trout Patterns and How They Got That Way: "The first rabbit-strip pattern I ever saw was a fly tied by Sandy Pittendrigh called a Roadkill Streamer. It had a strip of natural, brownish gray rabbit lashed to an otherwise bare hook with a silver propeller and a couple of brass beads at the head."

RE> "what size?" ..........experiment experiment experiment.

Roadkill Streamer <=== From Rod and Reel, 1985 or so

This one doesn't have the propeller. But they're easy to slip on.

[maodiver]

IMHO, a propeller just makes a baitfish imitation more imitative. Wounded baitfish twirl around like crazy. Live baitfish make disturbances in the water.

HOW IS THIS ANY DIFFERENT THAN ADDING HOLO-FLASH, METAL EYES, ETC.

Wow, there are some really altitude-enhanced equines around here.

[bluwatr]

I'm having a real tough time on the Wood River in RI. This weekend, the only solid hit I got was on a bugger with some split shot to get it down (heavy flow and lots of tannin). The first thing that percolated through my grey matter was a propeller and Bergman... Then I find this thread and Tom Dixon is mentioned. I plan to tie some .56ers WITH a propeller and do some "angling" (maybe that will quell those that think "propellers are for planes"). Imagine if folks said hares are for cooking...
W/r.
bluwatr

[herefishy]

I don't know how they're different from Pistol Petes, but the Colorado version is the Montera Marvel.

[DonO1]

Pete Parker headed up the fly tying video theater at the ISE shows for 20+ years before he passed away a couple of years ago. He tied a slider saltwater popper-fly that used a propeller. He always said it created an 'acoustic footprint'- then he'd snicker. I'm wondering if the Pistol Petes are named after Pete Parker. Just a question, not a statement.

I got past propellers a long time ago. My flies run super-chargers with nitro methane- my 'top fuel flies'. They also come in parachute versions to slow them down.

[flyfisher7]

FYI, New Hampshire specifically forbids flies tied with spinners (propellers) in FFO areas. I believe Maine does as well.