The challenge thread!

[niveker 0]

On 8/16/2024 at 9:26 PM, gadabout said:

Dorato Hare’s Ear

Interesting discussion about this fly and it's creation/creator/variations on the Sparse Gray Matter site: https://www.sparsegreymatter.com/viewtopic.php?t=616&hilit=Dorato&sid=221dd891a26003dba856d6f5b60f84b0

[cencalfly 0]

 

 

53 minutes ago, niveker said:

Interesting discussion about this fly and it's creation/creator/variations on the Sparse Gray Matter site: https://www.sparsegreymatter.com/viewtopic.php?t=616&hilit=Dorato&sid=221dd891a26003dba856d6f5b60f84b0

That's quite the read.  Looks like that discussion spanned from 2010 to 2023.  Lots of good history.  Saw that @gadabout had commented in that tread.

[gadabout 0]

Wow, I had forgotten about that thread.  Took quite a bit of time to re-read it all.

[cencalfly 0]

6 hours ago, gadabout said:

Wow, I had forgotten about that thread.  Took quite a bit of time to re-read it all.

It had 8 pages of comments!  Good stuff but anyway I tied your challenge fly. Next post.

[cencalfly 0]

 

Dorato Hare’s Ear:

Hook: Daiichi 1180 (#12 – 16 or 18)

Thread: 8/0 Uni-Thread (I used a dark olive)

Tail: Mixed grizzly and brown, very short (I used a coachman brown for the tail and hackle)

Wings: Wood Duck Flank

Body: Hare’s ear dubbing (I used natural, YMMV)

Hackle: Medium Brown and dark Grizzly (again, I used Coachman brown) (may be clipped)

Head: Thread (brown but you choose)

This fly was fun to research and tie!

There are a so many discussions and subtle variations of this fly out there.  As all good flies have.  I’m posting my attempt at the fly. Two versions: clipped hackle and not clipped.  I’m also posting a screen shot from a video of the fly tied by Dick Talleur himself.  Talleur clipped the hackle.  The history discussion goes back and forth about that.

@niveker posted a great example in the August Flies from the Vise thread, page 6.  (following link hopefully  works) https://www.flytyingforum.com/index.php?/topic/118135-august-flies-from-the-vise/page/6/&tab=comments#comment-929722 .

Comments from the cheap seats:  This fly challenged my ideas of proportions.  It’s not a straight-up mayfly or caddis fly imitation.  And from my reading that’s what it’s meant to be.  Still, it’s as “buggy” as all get out.  I think it will be great in pocket water.  Where you have them opportunistic feeders that hit flies that in-gracefully float by.  However, I think it would work well where the riffle hits or exits a pool (IMHO).   It’s a bug that will float in the film (use some floatant).  My go-to for these situations has been a cripple but this is going to get some water time.

Thanks gadabout for throwing this out there. 

[cencalfly 0]

Next fly: Dry Fly

I don't know if this will work for the challenge but tie the best version of YOUR Fall Dry Fly for trout.  Be it for Rainbows, Browns, or Brookies.  Tie YOUR go-to dry fly.  It does not need to be an original recipe per se, nor a known recipe, but can be.  Strict adherance to such is not needed.  Tie what you use.  I have mine. What's yours?

We all have our go-to fly.  The one that when you get to the water and step in it's what's on the end of your tippet.  And, you know if you do your part your going to get a rise. Envision you're at your water on a sweet fall day where the water temp, outside temp, the skies, and all good things are there to greet you.  When you read this and it hits you what dry are you tying and fishing?

Kind of like: I'll show you mine if you show me yours .  If you take the challenge please tell us why it's the one.

If all else fails a Dave's Hopper.

[niveker 0]

6 hours ago, cencalfly said:

Dorato Hare’s Ear

Great post and great ties. 

[gadabout 0]

Nice ties, cencalfly!

[flytire 0]

for simplicity lets just call the next fly to be tie "YOUR go-to dry fly"

[RickZieger 0]

Two of my go to dry flies for bluegills in the fall. 

size 16 hooks, hackle fiber tails, orange is antron dubbing, yellow is skeeter fuzz, hackle 

next fly bettle of your choice

[cphubert 0]

Foam Beetle

Finishing up my foam flies for now with a beetle I find productive

hook- Tiemco 2487 #12, thread- black, body- 2mm black foam pulled over peacock herl base covered with Swiss Straw and black flash wing case divider, red poly sighter and rubber/ silicone legs.

Next fly up Makenna's Freestyle Fall Favorite

[niveker 0]

Nice beetle.  

[cphubert 0]

2 hours ago, niveker said:

Nice beetle.

thanks if you tie a few I use superglue to reinforce the swiss straw to the foam for durability

[flytire 0]

doesnt seem to be any tyers for the Makenna's Freestyle Fall Favorite

maybe a different fly is in order???

[niveker 0]

I'll do a Niveker's Fall Favorite of the big CP approves.