At the end of January, Alan posted a group flies for grayling on another board. They were beautiful.
SW Betty asked questions about one of the patterns.
So now I would like to know if any of those grayling flies got tied by Betty and if so, whether or not we could have the recipe and see the results?
Do those flies also work on creek chubs?
Regards,
Ed
Was it me? Sorry I don’t recall. It could have been these.
I don’t know if your “creek chub” is the same as out chub here, but if they are then yes.
Cheers,
A.
Alan,
I was interested if Betty had tied any flies from what she asked you about in this thread.
http://ukflydressing.proboards.com/thread/7516/odds-sods-ladies
She often posts that there are no trout(s) in the Black Hills of South Dakota, only colorful creek chubs. A new member, who wasn’t in on the joke and who lives in the area, made the mistake of correcting her and telling her that he would be happy to put her into some good trout fishing. He now goes along with the joke. Betty starting calling Lakota rainbow trout, “Lakota creek chubs” under the guise of keeping other people, surfing the Internet, from going to the Black Hills and catching “her” trout(s). (Betty is fond of the word “trouts”.) I don’t know if Lakota trout are a recognized sub-species of rainbow trout or merely a reference to the area where they are found. Perhaps Betty, Dan, or someone more knowledgeable can weigh on that point.
We do have actual creek chubs and the larger ones can be quite difficult to catch. Our creek chubs seldom get to 2 pounds and most are only a few ounces at best. I have caught a number of creek chubs and the closely related fallfish with flies and with bait. From the picture I’ve seen, your (UK) larger chubs become less torpedo shaped and shaped more like your bream than our creek chubs do.
Wikipedia articles:
Fallfish: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fallfish
Creek Chubs: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semotilus
The flies in your picture above are fine looking flies, too. But then you seem to have fallen into the habit of tying beautiful flies. 
Thanks for replying,
Ed
Sorry Ed but I’ve just had a look at the thread, and it aint me. Sorry not guilty. Can’t help with the flies either as I can’t get at the pictures.
If you do anything to excess then there is a chance of turning the odd good one out. Tomorrow is an easy day for me, as of now I’ve only 4 dzn to get cranked out.
Just managed to get the picture, and now I’m sure its not me.
Cheers,
A.
Ah well, maybe Betty will reply.
In the picture you posted earlier, are the bodies peacock herl over floss?
Regards,
Ed
No Ed, its a very old “fancy” grayling fly called Tommy’s Favourite.
Tail: Red Wool.
Body: Blue yellow macaw tail fibres.
Hackle: Honey Dun.
Those are on size 18s. The range 14 to 18 would be the usual sizes.
We have no grayling around here, so those are now with a friend in Derbyshire. I’m waiting on a report into how they perform.
Cheers,
A.
Ed, the gentleman on the UKFlydressing site sent me the directions for tying this fly. And, while it’s an easy tye, I’ve not yet had the chance to try it out … not having gone anywhere … other than South Dakota … and they not only haven’t any trouts, they have no graying. I’d hoped to do quite a bit of fishing/traveling, though it looks most like those time may well have come to an end.
I believe the Alan who sent the directions is from England. That’s really a dandy site for flies! Warmhearted people, thoroughly enjoying their sport. Sorta like FAOL!!
size 10-16 long shank nymph hook
fine lead wire
tail brown goose biots
body.rear latex or thin skin
thorax tan dubbin
legs pheasant tail fibers
thorax cover latex or thin skin
Read more: http://ukflydressing.proboards.com/conversation/29516#ixzz35ZXEUMYz
Alan,
Does the wool tail hold the body of the fly across the surface, or does it hang by its hackle, rear down, like a Grey Duster?
Thanks,
Ed
P.S. Tommy’s Favourite is starting to get under my skin. I think I’ll tie a heavily modified version for our bluegill. Using Macaw feathers at, I think $80 a feather, for bluegill flies isn’t in the cards for me.
I have a lead on a possible grayling spot, miss Betty! Need to chat with you soon… Business and whatnot.
Kid,
Please give Betty a big hug for me.
Thanks,
Ed
To tell you the truth Ed, I’m not sure. I suspect it would, sooner or later, hang with the hackle flat on the surface. I will, if I get the chance, try it both ways. There are a couple of traditional grayling flies that have similar wool tails, they are designed to stay up on the surface. The wool tail will do this if given a wipe with floatant.
Cheers,
A.
I was thinking that the pattern pre-dated silicon floatant, but thinking about it I realized that it is unlikely to pre-date red and green mucilage.
I suspect that hanging into the water might be better for more wary fish.
Regards,
Ed
