redietz

I do fish for trout a lot and seldom break off a fish. Those that I do are generally on 7x, and I'm fishing size 20 or smaller flies. I suspect these don't stay in the fish very long even without "rusting out." I sure I've never broken off a trout on any size hook that they even make in stainless. I also suspect that many of those "hooked 5 but broke off 4" stories involve the hook working loose, rather than actually breaking the tippet. I doubt that stainless would make much of a difference one way or the other as to mortality. That being said, I wouldn't use them just because I don't like the way they look.

If it's not vicarium, it's closely related. The key points are that it has two tails, stripes on its legs, and the "stained glass window" kind of wings (and is dark brown, and was present at the appropriate time of the year.) Macaffertium vicarium is the classification of what most anglers previously thought of as two species - the American March Brown (stenonema vicarium) and the Grey Fox (s. fuscum).

I like it. Given that every trout I've taken in the last two months has been on a snipe & purple, your fly would have to work around here. Bob

You've already discovered the first place I'd look. If you ever tie quill winged wets, presumedly the primary feathers on the wing are useful. I suspect you're not going to find a lot of patterns calling for their feathers. They're not often harvested since they taste terrible. (I do have actual experience there.) Good luck.

I was about to ask if he'd named it that because Chernobyl was already taken.

A lovely fly. I really like the look of quill winged dry flies; I just wish they weren't such leader twisters.

Warden's Worry, Black Ghost Black Nosed Dace Marabou Muddler in white & orange.

Several already suggested are good: Leadwing Coachman and Gold Ribbed Hare's Ear. I'd add to that a March Brown (any of several versions floating around) and a Pale Evening Dun if you want to go a bit smaller. You can also consider some winged wets whose wings aren't quill, such as a Dark Hendrickson or a Light Cahill. Any of those are good for getting your feet wet, and they're all good flies to have in your flybox as well.

The Dead, bluegrass, the blues or Bob Wills.

It's "Loon Knot Sense". It's a glue activated by UV light. (They call it a "knot dressing", but it's glue.)

It sure is, um, red. Did you dye it youself? I can think of streams where that would be a real killer in a size 20.

i was wondering if they were efeective in winter also. one more? when a pattern calls for hen.....what is this....hen mallard maybe???????????? shane They're all I fish in the winter. (Pretty much in the summer, too, but I'll use an occasional dry in the warmer weather.) Small soft hackles on the swing are an especially effective way of imitating winter stoneflies; I've had good luck with small PT soft hackles when there are midges in winter (but dead drifted, not swung.) You can also use them any time you would be using a nymph, and fish them as such. Hen is just that -- you know, the rooster's wife.

Alternatively, tie the hackle as a beard rather than a collar. That way you use the feathers you already have. Not a bad looking fly.

I sent Aaron the following information, but then realized that it might be of interest to anyone else in the area of Maryland around DC: Our chapter of Trout Unlimited (Potomac-Patuxent) has its annual fly tying meeting next month on Jan 21st. We meet in Silver Spring. Details can be found at the following link: PPTU Fly Tying Meeting We have about a dozen tyers, and usually draw 60-80 people to watch. You can meet lots of local tyers.

I'm currently tying most of my flies on Renzetti 2000. I own six vises and may use any of them as the mood strikes me, but the 2000 is my day-to-day favorite at the moment. I"ve used vises that I like more, but not enough more to shell out the money.

I started at Christmas time in 1964. I still have some feathers left over from my original kit (chartreuse guinea fowl) that I never could figure out what to do with. Bob