Mothers Day Benton Caddis

[NJTroutbum]

Well put Bob. You made a point that I have really never thought of.

I am the same with parachute patterns. I stopped tying them years ago in any quantity because I've never had luck with them. But admittedly I would go to the one pattern I still tie just in case, (a Parachute Adams, because they are supposed to work....right?) but in those same settings you just described. And like you said, I had already proven the fish were tough that day, so why should I expect that fly to do any better?

Great point!

[Bruce Norikane]

I was thinking more along the lines of many people swearing that they have always been able to catch fish during, for example, Caddis activity on CDC & Elk. The next person responds "I've never had any luck with that pattern.
.

Byron this fascinates me as well. It is not just river to river or stretch to stretch differences. It can be same day, different fishermen. Confidence explains some of it; presentation as well.

My theory is special skills may apply to a particular fly. Many of us have watched a great fisherman mop up on a hole after another has just fished it. Sometimes with the same fly. It's easy to believe that the great ones have special skills.

But I think, some fishermen are totally keyed in on how to fish their favorite patterns, but not so good with others. Exactly where to place it, when to twitch it, etc... The secret sauce that triggers a bite.

But what do I know?

[Byron haugh]

You may well be right, Bruce.

Of course, I am assuming the fisher knows what he's doing. He's not casting a LaFontaine Caddis pupa imitation when there's a single Mayfly hatch going on and trout are keyed on them.

I always get a chuckle out of the fellows who say "if all else fails, tie on an Adams". If an Adams is expected to entice a take when all other patterns associated with the expected, or occurring, hatch haven't, .......why not have started with it?

My favorite fishing companion for over 30 years on the "Ranch" of the Henry's Fork almost always used a size 16 Royal Wulff at some point during the day. The Ranch is known for hatches and very picky trout and most fishers there have and use the closest imitation they can find to the insect currently active on the waters. My friend pretty much always did well on his "Short Cake" as he called the royal Wulff a strawberry shortcake. I, on the other hand, found the more imitative patterns to work much better.

When I would look upstream and see him landing a nice Rainbow, I would always holler "what did he take?" He relished in yelling back "the shortcake!".