Unlike the museum- or art-gallery-quality flies routinely featured in FAOL, many of the flies I have created in my first year of fly tying are decidedly lop-sided. (I prefer the term asymetrical. )
However, as I looked at my latest creation last night, I got to thinking about a recent program put on by our stateâs muskie fishing club. The guest speaker, a long-time fisheries biologist with Nebraska Game & Parks, talked about the importance of the lateral line and how predator species sense tiny water disturbances to identify the presence of prey, especially prey that may be injured. This disturbance, he said, explained the decades old popularity of lures such as the Daredevle among Esox fishermen. All species, however, are gifted with this sense, he said, and it is particularly important in low visibility situations.
So, now I have to wonder if my asymetrical wet flies and streamers might actually be advantageous. They certainly canât move smoothly through the water.
Any thoughts? Do any of you intentionally tie asymetrical bugs?
p.s. I have been known to rationalize my shortcomings in other aspects of my life.
Get hold of some Dave Whitlock materialâŚheâs been around longer than, well, dirt!
His ties are known as ânear 'nufâ this and ânear 'nufâ that and they have been catching fish of all species for years. His philosophy is âany skuzzy critter that moves water and looks near 'nuf to whatâs being eatenâ is good.
Donât fret; tie as best you can and keep catching fish. Thatâs what itâs all about.
Go fishing with a tying contest winner some time and see what the catch ratio is between you and he/she.
OldBaldGuy, I agree with Jim, however, I see a possible problem with an asymetrical fly twisting line. If this happens a heavier tippet sometimes helps.
Truth is (as I see it), perfect flies, the latest lure, and much else on the market for fishermen probably catch fishermen as often or more often than they catch fish.
Asymmetrical flies, flies with wierd hackles, flies with ingredients missing, and just generally rough looking flies all still catch fish. I have continued to catch fish on a fly long after it started to get torn to shreds many times. Fish 'em and be happy, theyâll catch fish often as not if you present them right. âŚModocDan
"p.s. I have been known to rationalize my shortcomings in other aspects of my life."
My p.sâŚI have been known to rationalize my shortcomings in MOST aspects of my life.
My fly tying career started off with feeling the need to tie âperfectâ flies. Too bad it took me a lot of yrs to understand the fish werenât perfectionists.
Doug
The first flies that I tied were the equivalent of a 4 year old learning to print thier name (backward Sâs and all). The fish were like appreciative parents and grandparents and encouraged me to keep tying.
I am to the point now where fish treat me like a parent treats a teenager (where are you going with that, with whom, what is that smell, when will you be back, is this your best work?)
Somebody earlier said something about leaders twisting when you cast an asymmetrical fly. Thatâs definitely true and is the main reason symmetry is stressed in fly tying. However, that same person mentioned going to a heavier and/or shorter leader to reduce the problem. Also true, but not always possible with spooky fish (even bluegills get spooky in super clear or skinny water and require lighter/longer leaders sometimes). Keep aiming for symmetry in the patterns you tie because they will cast better, but also recognize the fact that the fish donât care, in fact, a less than perfect fly may be seen as a cripple or dead bug and thus an easier meal.
Like others have said, I tie my own flies and often the most productive is a fly that has been torn to shreds. So I donât think an fly has to be front-page-of-Umpqua pretty to catch fish at all.
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