It will work!
no no no. That’s not the idea. When I was guiding out of the Yellowstone Angler I was taught to change PMD profiles. If you get refused 2-3 times on a Sparkle dun, try an emerger. But use a PMD-sized emerger with the right colors. Don’t use an Adams. And don’t change size.
If some particular fish refuses the emerger 2-3 times in a row, then change to a spent wing. But keep the PMD size and PMD coloring.
That’s the accepted dogma on the Paradise Valley spring creeks.
I feel confident it’s important match size. I feel confident (I know you don’t) it’s important to frequently change profile–albeit at strategic times. I feel confident a close color match is at least usually a good thing. The new twist seems to be to add brightness. I’m not saying this is a done deal. Paradigm shift takes years to settle. But I am rapidly gaining confidence there is something to be said for un-naturally bright bodies too. Maybe not always. But I’ve caught too many fish in the heat of a thick hatch, on neon bright flies, to ignore it.
In between hatches anything goes. Nobody argues with the attractor concept when there are no rising fish and no visible hatch. Some fishermen, on the other hand, do get territorial and defensive about match the hatch theory when you’re talking about what to do in the middle of classic hatch. I have great confidence in the “change profile” idea outlined above (keep size and color constant, but vary the profile). To all of that I’m adding a little chili pepper at times, called extra extra brightness. Extra and un-naturally bright may not always be the best choice. But extra bright has been successful for me too often to write off categorically. There is something going on here that needs further study. I’m going to call for a congressional study commission, so we can sort this all out once and for all.
…Summary
There are two issues here. One is the “change profile concept.” That shouldn’t be so controversial. Variable profile is natural. If you stop fishing and gaze at the bugs, that’s what you’ll see–every possible profile: spent wing, upright, still in the shuck, drowned, on their side, etc. You see it all. When a fish does refuse it might mean he’s become suspicious. After all they’ve all been caught before. So show him something new. It only makes sense. Natural sense at that.
The brightness issue is harder for many to swallow. I’m not saying I have all the answers. But there is something going on here. According to classic match the hatch theory you shouldn’t catch any fish at all with extra brightness. And yet many of us have. On many occasions we seem to do better with extra bright flies. Even in the middle of a classic hatch.
According to classic match the hatch theory, you shouldn’t do well if you fish a #12 Adams in the middle of a PMD hatch. And it turns out that much is correct. Thank you heavenly father. All I’m trying to do here is adjust focus a little, inside the match the hatch cartoon bubble. I’m certainly not the only one interested in this new “bright flies” idea. It’s catching on fast. We’ll know a lot more in five years from now. I remember when the fly shops didn’t stock any bead head nymphs.
RE> "[i]Say anything, or start casting it??"
The important thing here is to always listen to the guide. Never question his authority. Do what ever and believe what ever he says at all times.
[/i]
Great discussion . Of course we know trout can see into the ultra violet range beyond our eye sight.
http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2007/08_01/SilverweedDM_800x460.jpg&imgrefurl comparison of normal color and ultra violet so who knows
These are a couple of patterns that I have tied up in the past year that incorporate purple. My kids and I gave them a workout on the East Walker River this past spring and the results were VERY satisfying:
DEEP PURPLE…Caddis Larvae
HOOK: TMC 2457, Daiichi 1120, Mustad CO68, #10-#14
THREAD: Uni, 6/0, Black
UNDER BODY: Purple Holographic Tinsel
OVER BODY: Clear, Glitter D-Rib, Medium
THORAX: Black Ice Dub
BEAD: Black Tung.
These midges, with Purple Iridescent Peacock Herl (Spirit River)… really worked well:
“MOO’s” BLUE MIDGE… # 18-#20…
HOOK: Gamakatsu C12B Scud Hook, #18-#20
THREAD: Tiemco 16/0, Black
ABDOMEN: Blue Krystal Flash
TAIL: Pearl Midge Flash
RIB: Wapsi wire, x-sm, silver
THORAX: Purple Iridescent Peacock Herl (Spirit River)
BEAD: Silver Tungsten, sized to hook
Black and Red versions…
My son, Michael (AKA “MOO”) with something caught on PURPLE, at dusk…
That Peacock Herl from Spirit River just screams to be used in this pattern from Al and Gretchen:
http://www.danica.com/flytier/agbeatty/bh_renegade_wet.htm
PT/TB 
rainbowchaser’s thread on the question “blue” sent me looking for his old thread. It is one of the most interesting threads I know of regarding color in fly tying / fishing. And a very tedious thread to get through. But for those with the time and energy to read and digest what is here, the rewards will speak for themselves. I’d say “enjoy” this one, but realistically, it really is a lot of work to get through. Sandy, did, by the way, specify blue as one on the significant colors, along with purple and violet, that might make some difference in attracting some fishies, as least in some circumstances.
What kind of quills do you use? That’s a great segmented look.
that the patriot with the smolt blue flash works as an attractor/search pattern. What I cannot know is if the same fish would have risen to a different pattern. I somewhat suspect that the ease of following the fly on the water with its calf tail wing is what has me reaching for it as much as anything else.