I have been fly fishing for 40+ years. Been tying about as long. I have been through all the phases of each (I think).
In tying, I have chased all the new and different patterns. As just one example: Remember when John Betts came out with his “Zing Wing” Caddis pattern? Most of us tied oodles of them. Did they work? Yes, but perhaps no better than other Caddis patterns. Yet, the search continued for that new/best pattern…mayfly or Caddis.
Just to spur discussion: I have now concluded, that when fishing mayflies (dry), one need only one pattern…the improved Sparkle Dun (mine with a small group of UV pearl ice dub mixed in with the Zelon shuck and wing). Of course the pattern would be in many colors and sizes.
For dry Caddis, the pattern would be the X-2 Caddis, also with a few UV pearl ice dub fibers in the trailing shuck and swept wing.
I honestly believe for fishing most waters when hatching mayflies or Caddis are on the water, these two patterns FOR DRY FLY FISHING would serve the fly fisher quite well.
I have no problems with your 2 choices, except the Improved Sparkle Dun does not float well enough for me in the small, fast streams I fish here in northern New Mexico. I would have to go with a thickly hackled parachute or Klinkhamer instead.
As far as adding the UV Pearl Ice Dub to flies, I have added it to many of my flies since seeing Galloup’s video several months ago and have seen no increase in strikes at all. I prefer to add a collar of a wrap or two of CDC or insert a few CDC fibers in a split thread collar to any fly, wet or dry, to enhance the pattern. Just that slight extra movement seems to help quite a bit, at least for me.
Joe,
Thanks for your thoughts.
For clarity, the UV pearl ice dub I use is not done as dubbing. I take 6-7 long strands of it and incorporate it in with the Zelon trailing shuck which also forms the upright wing enhancement.
Just tied one, which doesn’t look so good, but shows how I use the UV strands.
Byron, I never thought of incorporating ice dub into my wings and tails. It doesn’t seem like it would hurt its production–maybe just very low and clear water. I like both choices, too, but what about the ubiquitous Adams?
Last chance,
I have used Adams flies for many years. Not much anymore though.
I hope all understand…I’m not suggesting I don’t use other dry fly patterns. I am saying that I think these two patterns, in differing colors and sizes will cover most all Mayfly and Caddis dry fly situations.
Can you use the Adams when there is a PMD hatch going on?
If you change the color and size on the Sparkle Dun, you can fish to PMD’s, change color and size of same pattern to fish to Flav’s or Green Drakes, etc., rtc.
I am celebrating the design of these two patterns…not saying they are the only patterns to use.
Why two flies when you only really need one? A parachute would cover all situations I have ever encountered, except maybe the big stonefly hatches, and that is really only an issue because I’ve never bothered to come up with a parachute stone, although they do exist.
As far as adding flash to the dries, sometimes it works, sometimes it does not. Like most aspects of fly fishing, it just depends.
Interesting…Have fished parachutes quite a bit, but have not used for caddis. Have to try next time caddis are working. Will try the X2-Caddis, and then a parachute to test…
For caddis, try a Schroder’s Caddis. Works just fine.
Of course this whole discussion is farcical, because why would anyone need to limit the number of patterns they can fish, unless they are specifically torturing themselves, or participating in one of those ‘limited number of fly’ competitions.
Everyone has favorite patterns, and there is no single answer to what works best.
#12 or 14 gray parachute Adams. I have learned that feeding trout will almost always take a mayfly, even in the middle of a stone or caddus hatch…they will also work for either a BWO or PMD.
12 bead head prince nymph. I have caught fish on these virtually everywhere I have fished.
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