wanderingmonk 0 Report post Posted March 18, 2013 after seeing some pics posted here in another thread I got inspired to try this out... this bug emerges in western streams and rivers between april - july...its a pretty big meal too... I have been trying to do this one for a while...I ended up using "swiss straw" for the segmented legs...it was a lot easier for me to tie that pheasant tail...if I could get one of those "legs on a stick" I would...and these would be better I think...but the material I used is OK... the pics I saw in my "bug book" showed the segments divided by some orange bands...I didnt have the right tgread color...but will get some for future ties... the body is typical dubbing with a wire spiral wrap, I used Buffalo wool in brown...the wings are three piece...the base is a mallard back feather(the larger ones) tied mid section of the body, with two gadwall feathers over that...a turkey fan feather is used for the body case...and two sprigs are left on for the antenae after tying off... I bent its legs around for the pic...it really looks like its crawling...LOL... I was swinging this fly around today on my 11 foot switch with a floating line...8ft furled leader and 6 feet of flouro greased to the fly...it did super...landing both ways...more times upright than not, imitating a fly laying eggs...it is relatively streamlined for such a big dry pattern...it looks pretty darn good floating...I will get some more pics later...because it started snowing again...and ended the time out on the water... the bug ends up being two inches long nose to wing tip...the antennae are about 1 1/4" over that... In Jim Schollmeyers book "hatch guide for western streams"(my bug book) , he tells about the egg laying habits of this fly...and says"anytime an adult salmon fly is on the water it is very vulnerable to predators" sounds good to me! if I was a salmon or big trout I would give it a swipe... size 6 nymph hook, bronze, slightly down eye (JStockard brand) brown buffalo wool dubbing (or similar) .015 gold wire for body spiral wrap (1) mallard back feather(large) for wing base (2) gadwall feathers for wings swiss straw(brown) for segmented legs turkey fan feather for body case and antennae all the best...t Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wanderingmonk 0 Report post Posted March 20, 2013 ...sun came out today...here are a few more pics...I am looking forward to fishing this one big time...a friend recomended fishing it with a dropper behind of either an emerger or nymph on maybe 24" of tippet...... sort of like a "hopper dropper" rig...since this bug floats well... I doubt a summertime steelhead would resist...we will see...hopefully fish pics will be forthcoming... here are a few more views...sunshine can make for some better pics...overall detail isnt as good...but highlights are much better...plus shadows... when Salmon flies lay their eggs...they are very vulnerable ...and predators know exactly what they are...a lot of protein... this bug was pretty soaked at this point(over a half hour of casting and landing in the water)...but still floated well...I really dig those antennae...I didnt even know they were still on ( after thity plus casts and retrieves)its when I put my camera on the computer I saw this myself... I blew off the water and took one more shot before the sun started to get lower in the sky ... I have been working on this bug for a few weeks...after the sedge bug I tied a little bit ago...extra sticky wax on the wing feathers was the best thing I did to help this one actually work for fishing......I am looking forward to trying some pheasant tail legs...a friend had pity and tied up a tails worth for me... all the best...t Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riffleriversteelheadslayer 0 Report post Posted March 20, 2013 might want to try broom or paint brush bristles heat bent with a bodkin and flattened with pliers Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
keep_lookingup 0 Report post Posted March 20, 2013 I really like the color of that fly. Most the ones you see are too orange. When you look at the naturals they can even be almost black. I think the bright orange might be because they hatch when the water is off color due to run off, but I have had better luck with more muted brown-orange here in Western Colorado. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JDierolf 0 Report post Posted March 21, 2013 Great looking bug!! Makes me excited for this years hatch Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wanderingmonk 0 Report post Posted March 22, 2013 I got some orange thread for the segment boundaries...but after looking at some pics I took of bugs I seined...I decided to just not use it...I think sometimes patterns are tied up using "highlighted " colors...and I really am trying to keep it more demure and natural... in reality...seining and occasionally using a stomach pump never returns results that are so bright...most are brownish ,orange brown... I am curious...is this just me...or are others experiencing the same results?? all the best...ted Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
keep_lookingup 0 Report post Posted March 24, 2013 Ted, Absolutely, the real stones are never as orange and bright as most patterns. I have one tied by Jack Dennis that only uses black foam and black deer hair with an orange rib that Jack swears by. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
