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We had some rather interesting comments on our
Fly of the Week (FOTW) last week. In case you
'overlooked' it, or were gone on holiday, it was
the
Drifting Oligochaete Worm.
One comment was, the last time a reader saw something
like that he was driving a taxi, (you have to be from
the region to know where - I assumed it was a 'red-light
district'). Another person commented it looked like a
pink pipe-cleaner wrapped on a hook. Yet another said
the person who tied it must be a beginner.
So why did we run that particular fly?
Ever wonder how/why various flies are picked for FOTW?
I do want to mention here, your favorite flies are
welcome here. We solicit flies from our readers for
several reasons. You may have a regional or
local fly which just isn't well known (or known at
all). You might have discovered a tying method
which really works! You may have created a variation
of a known fly pattern which works better in your area.
And finally, it's just a very neat thing to have one
of your flies featured on FAOL! (If it makes you happy,
why not?) We are always receptive to flies from our
readers, and they can be for freshwater, saltwater,
lakes, or non-trout species. If in fact, you have
such a fly,
contact me!
Back to how/why of the flies picked. Sometimes the
fly is tied in a different manner. We've had some
which detail hackling, stripped 'wally wings,' original
flies for specific fish, flies with information on the
insect and it's habitat, and with most, instructions
on how to fish the fly. We also try to have a variety
of difficulty in tying. Some for beginners and some
for the more advanced tiers. If you are really advanced
you should be trying some of the flies in the Atlantic
Tying section. Some flies are presented because they
are appropriate for the season - October Caddis were
hatching - or at this time of year, little black stones
or tiny black Baetis. Even if you don't have a particular
insect or fish for that kind of fish, I'll bet there is
something to learned from any FOTW. Yes, even the
Creative Foam Fly Tying can be applied to trout - or
saltwater flies!
For most, we are in winter in the US. The dry-fly
trouters have hung up the rods for the duration - but - the
warm-water anglers are still out there! We may feature
more flies for the warm-water folks at this time of the
year. We try to balance each issue, so if we come across
something neat for the trouters, (like a method by A.K.
Best in this week's FOTW) we'll use it.
So what was 'special' about the Drifting Oligochaete Worm?
Several things. The author of the article, Fox Statler, did
the research and found out what the worm was; observed and
found out how it behaves. Then took the trouble to match
the worm. Is it "matching the hatch?" In the larger
sense, you bet!
Add to that there is a Sowbug Round-Up coming up in March
exactly where the Drifting Oligochaete Worm is found.
Maybe some of our FAOL folks who are going to be
there might want to tie some up? What a concept.
By the way, the author of that article, Fox Statler,
is not a beginner. He has been guiding and tying for
many years, and is also the author of the
book Fishing What They See.
Now if the neigh-sayers had bothered to read the
article, they might have learned something.
Moreover, one reading the article might just be
inspired to take a better look at their favorite
waters. What really lives there? How do they look
at various times of the year? Are the insects
maintaining their numbers? Increasing? Decreasing?
Changing? Do you know?
The next time you see a FOTW you think isn't
interesting, or "nothing I'd ever use" you might
stop and read it anyway. FAOL is an information
website - we do it for you. There may be some
information in that article which really does
apply to you.
Just think what you've been missing.
~ The LadyFisher
If you would like to comment on this or any other article please feel free to
post your views on the FAOL Bulletin Board!
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