Claret Gnat

All about flies Fly Tying
1

Hi everyone:

The following fly is a pattern that I tyed tonight from Ray Smith who was a true wet fly fisherman that fished the Esopus in the Catskilss. Ray Smith was known by many in his hay days of fishing the Esopus was from the 30’s throught I believe the erly 70’s. The pattern was originated by ray and was believed to fish this fly during Isonychia hatches. I will be fishing this fly this year up on the esopus duing bug week. The pattern for the fly is simple:

Hook: Mustad 3906 size 8
Thread: Danville 6/0 White for the Underbody & Danville 6/0 Black for the head
Tag: Size 16/18 Gold Mylar Tinsel
Body: Two Stands of Danville Claret Floss wrapped from back to Front only
Full Collar Hackle: Black Hen Cape
Wings: Paired Duck Quils Slate (Natural)

I find this pattern very intersting and currently enjoying finding out all the history I can on Ray Smith.

2

oooh-aaah! pretty!

3

Ooooooooh, pretty. Great floss work, looks like it was sprayed on. Nice evenly distributed hackle, and a super shiney head. What’s not to like.

REE

4

… and the pixels really do it justice. Nicely done.

For us dummies :frowning: that don’t do Latin and don’t have much, if any, experience with that style of wet fly, what is the Isonychia hatch, and how do you present that fly ??

John

5

I like that! What size do you recommend?

John - Isonychias are large mayflies, sometimes called Gray Drakes. They are probably most important in nymphal form. Winged wet flies like the one above are often fished on a down and across swing, with a a hand twist retrieve at the end of the swing.

6

That’s a beautifully tied fly!

Cliff

7

Very nicely done.
Fred

8

Very nice. Thanks for sharing it with us.

Ed

9

Very nicely done, as always! I find claret a great colour, especially at the change of light. I bet this would do well in the evening especially.

  • Jeff
10

Fontinalis,

By all means stand up and take a bow. You are a master at the wet fly. Keep 'em coming!

For those not quite entomologists, Rupe’s got the scoop on Isonychia :

http://flyanglersonline.com/features/nqento/part7.php

My hatch matching fly is a sz. 10 maribou wing royal coachman. Go figure.

11

Very nice!!!

wet

12

Beautiful fly, you did one heck of a job on it.

13

… is something I’m familiar with. Actually had some quite good dry fly ( emerger / cripple ) fishing on the Bitterroot this fall during that hatch.

Thanks for the information and the link, gadabout and hairwing.

John

14

Nice to see someone tying “proper flies”. Proportion is excellent, well done. As good as any I have seen & I have seen more than a few
Tight Lines

15

I tied up a few of these last night per Fontinalis’ pattern above and was pleased with the results. I’d also like to do a few using Bergman’s pattern, which calls for Dark Claret hackle. Anybody have a source for this? I have some strung saddles in dark claret but I wouldn’t be able to used the wound collar technique with these.

16

Great fly. I Esopus was my home stream before I retired to FL.

17

Hi Fishngene:

 I plan to fish the Esopus with this fly this year. When I catch a Trout on one I will tip my hat in your honor and say thanks to Ray Smith for this pattern.

    Board, thank you for all the kind words and I wish every one of you a happy and safe New Years. I plan to finish off this current year & ring in the new year with a long tying session and a glass of wine at mid night.

Sincerely
Andy Brasko