Wow! Its almost February - where has the last month gone?
For this month’s swap… We just did a swap of flies for your dream fishing adventure… so how about a swap of flies for your current favorite type fly fishing? I’m a trout guy, so I thought I’d attempt a new to me fly for my favorite trout.
Goldbeads kept popping off the front end, so to make it fit I had to go for a #16 hook. The bunch is ready to go John, do you have a forwarding adress for me?
Grtzzz…
Sjo
After careful thought, and at the risk of incessant ribbing from my peers, I have decided to be completely, and brutally honest. It’s time to come out of the closet. My deep dark secret is that my favorite fly fishing is for panfish, namely bluegills, shellcrackers, and yes, even pumpkinseeds. I have no shame… I would rather go to my local pond, stream or lake, and chase these scrappy little guys, than go after any other fish in the world. And they are also my favorite eating fish as well. Nothing tastes anywhere near as good as a pile of these succulent, sometimes bite-sized morsels on a plate.
There. I’ve said it. Let the jokes begin…
To this end, my favorite fly for these little guys is a small version of a Chernobyle Ant. I call it the Chernobyle Cricket. I tie them in either all black , or black and grey. I think I’ll do these in grey and black.
It is size 10. I omitted the strike indicator because you don’t need it. Trust me…when they hit this, you will know it. Just watch for the big splash.
Chernobyle Cricket
Thread: Black 6/0 Unithread
Body: Black and Grey 3 mm Foam, cut to shape (I use cutters).
Rear Legs: Black 1 mm foam, cut to shape (I use cutters).
Wing: Dk. Grey Bucktail
Front Legs: Black Rubber Legs, med.
Gig:
I live in a state where there are not many trout, just a few lake run steams in the north and a stocked tail water in the south. We are the people who travel six hours one way, stay in a hotel, and pay a guide, to catch and release one six inch rainbow. Those of us who live in glass houses have no right to cast stones at bream. We too, cast flies at them.
Bill
I have a great trout stream within a few miles of the house, with trout as big as my forearm. I just really prefer bluegill fly fishing. My next favorite is catfish, although I usually don’t fly fish for them. I use Danny Kings Punch bait.
Gig:
That last six inch rainbow was in January just up hill from you on the Little. Planning a trip Sunday to a place called Willow Slough, Hope to see some bluegill, crappie, or small mouths… if the ice is clear. (I have a crawdad fly that might work on a large mouth if its awake!)
If you ever get to this neck of the woods, let me know, and I will show you where the big trout are. It’s on the Hiawassee River in Reliance, Tn. They say it’s a town, but I’ve never seen anything there but the river, and a convenience store/bait shop. I think it is just a zip code…
The smallest one I’ve ever caught there was as long as my forearm, and I’ve caught lots of 3 and 4 pounders.
