Pattern Size Variations

[Bob Widmaier]

In another post here, Mr. rriver made a comment that got me thinking. He said fish in his location can't really distinguish a size 14 hook from a size 16 of a given pattern. Thus, he tend to tye flies of the same pattern at least 2 size apart, such as size 14 and 18. So fellow fly tyers, when you are tying a particular pattern, how many sizes of that pattern do you usually tye and generally how much difference in hook size is there between sizes?

I tend to tye 2 or 3 sizes of a pattern and have been tying them all 1 (even) hook size apart. For example, for BWO's, I tye 14, 16, 18. Perhaps I should be tying 16 and 20.

Comments please. Thanks.

Dr Bob

[xisintheend]

Bob,

I am not probably as experience as most of the people are here but I think that it would make a big difference to just between a hook size 16 to 20. I know that it might not be a big difference between 18 and 20 but 16 to 20 is I think a noticable difference and it just might be the reason why we dont have odd numbers for these hooks sizes. Who knows? I sure dont!

Marko

[mantis]

One thing I have found over the years is that whatever size you think the fly is on the water...try one size smaller. Also I have seen the same hatch, say Red Quills, a hook size smaller or larger on different rivers... And of course there are so many different sized Olives that you better have a wide selection from 16 to 28 on hand.

[Bamboozle]

It really depends on the pattern. If it is a terrestrial I only tie one size with the thought process that a terrestrial is an opportunistic meal therefore the fish aren't as choosy about size. To date my results bear out my theory.

When it comes to specific patterns for hatches I may go with one size smaller or one larger than expected. If it's a midge pattern I go nuts and go from 20-32 'cause I'm paranoid they will want the size I don't have.

[Darryl]

For me sizes are pretty much based on the particular pattern being tied. For example, my Green Drakes are tied only in two sizes (#10 and #12), while my Blue Winged Olives range from (#16 down to size #26), and still a greater range in the Adams (#12 down to #28, one size apart throughout the range).

[RkyMtnGuy]

Bob,

You ask an interesting question, one that I too would like to see what other peoples thoughts are on the matter.

I recently inventoried my hooks as I was restocking some models and sizes in my arsenal. I found that #14-18 in dries and 10-14 in nymphs are the ones I tie on most frequently.

I have on hand a rather limited amount of materials as compared to most persons who visit and contribute to this BB.

I'm either getting cranky in my old age or I'm becoming more and more aware of the patterns that seem to work effectively the majority of the time for the rivers that I fish and concentrate my efforts on reproducing those flies.

I think it was Dave Hughes who in his Essential Trout Flies book recommended essentially what you are talking about.

Joe Humphrey's in his book Trout Tactics gives the impression that he too ties on a limited range of hooks. I've adopted this sort of thinking myself of late although I don't read mention of skipping sizes of the hooks one ties their flies on.

I've heard some anglers say that having a size larger than the fly on the water gets your flies noticed at times. Is this a good thing or a bad thing? I don't honestly know at this point.

By the same token, you have to wonder if when fish get locked in on a prolific hatch of Baetis (Blue-winged Olives) if it isn't more important to have a fly that is on the mark in terms of size.

I'm sure the only way you or I will know for fact is to test the theory over the course of the next year's fishing season!

Good luck in whichever direction you decide to go!