Extended Body - Deer Hair

After working to improve many of my tying techniques this summer, I decided to try creating some extended body patterns, a challenge that I had not yet faced.  There are really three basic materials that are used extensively by most tyers to create this look; foam, deer hair, and dubbing.  After researching various patterns that incorporate this technique and consulting with a few other tyers, I decided to start with deer hair as this material lends itself well to larger mayfly recipes. 

One of the most common deer hair extended bodied patterns that I have run across is the Paradrake.  Below is my third attempt.  This fly was moderately challenging as I initially had a difficult time determining the right amount of deer hair to use to create a proportionate body. 

Paradrake

After tying a few of these, I decided to incorporate another technique that I had been reading about that introduced the use of a needle and would require the construction of the fly to be done in the reverse order.  I liked this adaptation as it created a more delicate representation which could more aptly be applied to various mayfly species.

Using a needle to create the body was easy.  Just remember to coat the needle in dubbing wax as this will allow you to remove the form once the construction is complete.

Modified Paradrake

Ant Patterns

I stayed home sick today, but it didn’t take too long, once my head started to clear, to get inspired to visit the tying bench and spin up a few bugs that were missing from my fly box.  Ants are a pattern that I probably do not fish enough.  In the past, I have found them difficult to track on the surface and I have never been in a situation where these appeared to be the patterns that the trout were specifically targeting.  However, after talking to a few friends over the last year, I have come to realize that this is a must have pattern for any fly fisherman.  Many reports have indicated that trout will often take ant patterns during the late summer months even in the middle of prevalent mayfly hatches.  The key to getting consistent strikes on an ant pattern is going to be size.  Keep a few different sizes and colors in order to vary the presentation. You will want to vary that presentation when you see a trout take interest, but turn away at the last second.  Ant patterns will likely fish better near stream edges unless you are using a flying ant pattern.  This variation will do well anywhere that trout may reside, even in high mountain lakes.   In order to improve the visibility of an ant pattern, tie it with a post similar to a Parachute Adams; just keep the post small in order to avoid disrupting the profile.

 Below is a flying ant that I tied today.  I used a yellow CDC feather for the wing in order to add some additional buoyancy, and because I have actually not seen one tied with this feather before.

The Rubber Leg Stone

The Rubber Leg Stone has a ton of variations.  It is a simple pattern for the novice and is highly effective during the summer, especially during periods when the rivers are running a bit higher.  I have used this pattern on the Big Thompson, South Platte, and Taylor rivers and in all cases, was able to hook into some nice trout.  It is more of an impressionistic imitation, so avoid slower water as this fly may not catch the attention of fish that live in higher pressured areas.  The most effective presentation that I have experimented with has been in moderately fast seams where the primary river current meets the edge of a slower moving section of water.   This fly also acts as a great attractor pattern in a nymph rig.  Many times I have used this as the front fly attaching many different kinds of midges behind it approximately 18 to 24 inches depending on water conditions.  Just this past weekend, I was fishing the rubber leg stone in tandem with a blue poison tung right at dusk on the Taylor.  The large silhouette created by the stone and the blue color of the midge that was clearly apparent to the trout in this low-light condition, proved to be irresistible.


The Rubber Leg Stone

It's July and Time for Hoppers

Inspired by Ed Schroeder, this hopper fly is a nice break from the many foam-based grasshopper patterns that fill my fly box.  It’s late July in Colorado making hoppers a great option on nearly any river in the state.  Drop a nice beaded pheasant tail or stone fly under this guy and you should be in business. 

Fly Fishing Rocky Mountain National Park

Fly fishing Rocky Mountain National Park may not produce any trophy trout, but it’s hard to argue with the scenery and the feeling that you are on top of the world.  Alyssa and I ventured out during the July 4^th weekend for one purpose in mind; we wanted to catch a few cutthroat trout.  I find it surprising that for as long as I have been fly fishing, I have failed to hook up with any of these guys no matter where in this state I have cast a line.  Well, the hunt is over.  We entered the park early Sunday morning and hiked the Fern Lake trail.  This is a pretty popular trail, but at 7:00am, we had the path all to ourselves. 

After arriving at the lake, the back drop was spectacular and the trout were on the surface feeding, just what I was looking for!  It didn’t take long to entice one of the cutts to take my parachute adams and at that moment, a goal came to mind.  On the way up to Fern Lake, I managed to snag a brook isolated in a small pool no doubt attempting to avoid the runoff that was barreling down the canon…  Could today be the day that I actually hit a grand slam? 

Once I realized this prospect, Alyssa and I took off back down the path in order to find some water more likely to hold a few nice browns and rainbows.  As expected, Lake Estes did not disappoint us.  It wasn’t long until I hooked a small rainbow and then a really nice 17 inch brown.  The grand slam was complete!

Fly Fishing Great Smoky Mountain National Park

Alyssa and I visited Great Smoky Mountain National Park last week.  We fished the various streams on the Tennessee side and were pleasantly surprised at the number of wild brook trout that were willing to take our flies.   The primary streams that we focused our efforts on were located near Elkmont and Greenbrier. This area had a number of quiet trails that were secluded and lacked the volume of traffic seen in other areas of the park.  Much of the fishable water was limited to pockets, but those pockets were teaming with hungry trout ranging from 6 to 12 inches in size.  The most effective patterns that we used were pheasant tails, prince nymphs, and hoppers.  What I liked most about this area was the scenery.  The area was beautiful, the water was clean and clear, and our lines were tight….  It was a great trip.

Here are a few pictures taken on our trip!

Fly Fishing Evergreen Reservoir

Evergreen Reservoir has always been a fun location to fish for me.  It’s only about 30 minutes from the house, it’s well stocked, and there are no gas power boats allowed!  The only problem with the location is the street noise that can sometimes become excessive and the volume of shore fishing that can be witnessed on the weekends.   The easy solution to these issues is to fish the reservoir from a boat.  Launching a boat quickly gives you access to a lot of fishing real-estate not easily reached from shore.  Soon after you launch, you will often find yourself hooked into some nice trout which in turn replaces the background distractions with the excitement of a tight line.

Yesterday was no exception.  The day was warm and the wind was moderate.  We got lucky in that we didn’t spend a great deal of time experimenting with various patterns before we started catching trout.   We tied on a bugger and using a sinking line, started stripping it around the many underwater structures that can be found in the lake.  PAY DIRT!  We caught 8 nice fish (12 to 14 inches) in only a few hours.