Thanks to “Lee”, it has rained all last night, today and probably tonight. I have spent the day making up some Furled Leaders for my use and really wanted to tie some flies for my use. I found this pattern and it really looked like a pattern that “fits” my style of fly fishing and I have tied up several to try out and use. Since I have not had a chance to try it out, I cannot tell you if it works or not for you, but, I know it will catch fish for me just by looking at it and how it is tied and looks. I am sure we all have been given flies that really worked for someone else, but, never worked for us and that is because we all present our flies different from each other and what works for someone else may not work for us. I can tell by looking at this fly that it will work for me.
Now for those who may like this fly, the tying instructions are here on FAOL located in the FOTW Archives. I am presenting it here so that some of the new members and maybe some of the established members can look it up and while they are at it, look over all the other patterns that have been posted here as FOTW (Fly Of The Week). There are many patterns there and everyone needs to visit this area and take advantage of all that is “given” to all for no charge on FAOL. We have a wealth of information here and everyone needs to take advantage of it. I feel a lot of members only log in to read what others have posted and then log-off.
This fly pattern can be found here: On the Home Page under the Search Window there is a menu. “Click” on FOTW and this will take you to the Archives. Go to the year 1999 and scan down to Apr 05 and you will find the “Docaroo Fly” with tying instructions. Here is a picture of the pattern:
I agree with you. This is undoubtedly a FISH CATCHER!
Patterns like this (Gartside’s Sparrow is another good example) that have hackle body/legs seem to have good movement and aquasonic signatures that fish find attractive, and the enlarged heads seem to push more water, also helping fish track them down even after dark.
This fly bears a lot of resemblance to one of my most productive nymph / wet flies - a soft hackled pheasant tail nymph. The only significant difference is that I put the peacock herl behind the hackle rather than in front of it. Less significant is that I use a shorter soft hackle and make it a bit sparser.
If you end up with as many stories about the Docaroo as I have about my soft hackled p.t., you will have bunches of tales to tell. Did I ever tell you about the time …
LOL - enjoyed your response. Maybe one of these days, you can tell me about that time…
I think I will tie some up with the peacock behind the hackle. Good idea especially since the hackle is rabbit fur with the underfur removed. I think the rabbit fur will really have a lot of movement and the peacock behind the fur will help keep it from lying flat against the body. It is an easy tie and the only part that you have to be careful of is wrapping the rabbit fur collar and not letting it twist on you as you wrap.
