HOUSE FLY - Fly of the week - May 31, 2010

HOUSE FLY

(This is a chapter from their most recent book, LaFontaine’s Legacy)

One of the things Gary wanted to accomplish was to have a fly for every possible fishing situation. One day he called Paul saying, “We’ve got to have a housefly.” Paul made the mistake of questioning Gary by saying, “The housefly is not aquatic.” Gary patiently explained to him that fish don’t just eat aquatic insects evidenced by the importance of grasshoppers, beetles, and other terrestrial insects as a food source. “But, houseflies?” questioned Paul even further.

Gary told him to try an experiment. Set a large pan of water outside overnight and see what would be in it in the morning. Besides a range of terrestrial insects Gary assured him that there would always be several common houseflies in the mix. After Paul ran the test he had to agree with Gary and the two set out to design a fly to fit the need.

Al and Gretchen,
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
I have been looking for a way to wing a honeybee pattern. This looks like just the ticket.

Regards,

Kirk

I have been using “Deer Fly” and “Horse Fly” patterns for fly fishing for warm water fish (sunfish & crappies), I will add the “House Fly” pattern to my terrestrial fly box, and most likely modify my other two fly patterns. I know the fish go for the “Deer Fly” and “Horse Fly” patterns, I am sure they will go for the “House Fly” pattern as well! ~Parnelli

Definitely a pattern to add to the ants, bees and hoppers:^)

I enjoyed the story behind this pattern. Nicely done.

Hi Al and Gretchen,

Thanks for the article, nice job, and the background information was also interesting to read.

We have a small pool in the backyard, which my wife and I filled with water last night. This evening I looked at it and there are a LOT of bugs on it, some small (maybe #14 or #16 white moths), and a ton of flies. Some look like bottle flies, the larger ones, and there are smaller ones that look like house flies.

Good pattern, now I need to tie some also.

Thank you for the great pattern.

Thanks and regards,

Gandolf

I tyed up some of these, but I had trouble using the specified kevlar thread as legs; would not behave when wrapping the ostrich plume hackle around them. Maybe it’s just me 'cause I often struggle with getting hackle to fit where it needs to. Tried really small rubber legs, but had similar trouble. Finally have had good success by just dipping the kevlar thread in Softex first. Gives it a bit more stiffness and keeps it from unraveling.