The mountain “brim” were really tearing it up yesterday and today. My Welsh terrier, who usually finds more pleasure in dragging limbs and such trash out of the water, was getting into the action big time, “cheering” me on–I’d imagine the people with houses surrounding this residential lake in Asheville (hint, hint to those of you in the area) were pretty annoyed at his noisy antics. The action was so hot, I looked at my rod hand once and realized I was casting away with my thumb and index finger still in the loops of my hemo’s–holdover habit from fly tying, I guess. I caught over 200 fish on one fly, a chartreuse chenille soft hackle with crystal flash tail and built up, black head, coated in Knot Sense. I attribute the fly’s longevity to the head, which covers the base of the hackle, keeping it from unravelling or tearing out. A couple of bait dunkers set up right next to me yesterday and caught nothing during an hour-long stretch where I had a fish on every cast–lol. Nothing against bait, skillfully employed, but this is definitely fly season, and when it’s over, I’ll head to the trout streams. Cheers.
-CC
crosscreek - any chance of a picture of that fly? Weighted or not? Any fly that will last thru 200 'gills has my attention.
donald
I left it in my usual used fly storage site (hemlock tree), so I’ll have to tie another one first, then figure out how to post a picture, but it’s really simple. Any hook you want to use, size 8-12 (I like barbless and slow sinking, so use a dry fly barbless hook), no weight, whatever thread you like (I used Danville 6/0 black), a few strands of crystal flash hair for a short tail, medium chartreuse chenille (3-5 turns–just from the tail to the middle of the hook), then I make a thread collar (small) to keep the hackle from matting down too much, 3-4 turns of oversize hackle (I like grizzly saddle hackle, because it’s tough and I’ve got a bag full)–long enough that the fly will look like a spider fly at this point. Wrap forward to the eye and back, making a slightly tapered head, then, using something to hold the hackle down, like a half hitch tool big enough to reach that far, wrap over the base of the hackle to make it flare back over the body, but not so tightly that it won’t stand out some or break the hackle fibers. Tie off with a couple of half hitches, coat the head with Loon’s UV Knot Sense (this will build the head up some to make it more bulbous), go outside or use a UV light to cure the finish, and go fishing. When you apply the Knot Sense, it’s ok, in fact better, to get a little down in the base of the hackle–makes the fly more durable, and this thing isn’t going to win any beauty awards anyway. The durability is due to the Knot Sense, I’m sure. I would think that some experimentation with colors would be in order, depending on fishing conditions. I strongly suspect that this fly, in a smaller size (12-14) and hot orange or yellow yarn, will work well on the brookies, if I can bring myself to use such an ugly fly on trout. Bigger, with a spinner in front, would likely get the bass all worked up. Have fun.
-CC
Very good description cc. I think I can tie one or two from that. Tks!
Donald
CC good for you on a great day with your own fly. Thanks for the description and hope we get to see a pic of yopur creation.
Philip