Christmas brookies on a coyote streamer

[bowmike 0]

I like to use streamers for native brookies. I use a larger gap barbless hook. IMO they cant get the hook that far in their mouth so 99% of my hook sets are right in the top of their mouth. As with most of my brookie streamers these coyote streamers are super quick and easy to tie. I like to use natural materials when fishing for natives.

 

This one is tied on a Firehole Outdoors 633 size 10. I use small lead eyes with the pupil. I take a snip of white coyote fur from a coyote mask for the belly, and a snip of the brown/darker orange, fur for the back. When I take the fur for the belly and back, I pull out the under fur. This will give you a bit more movement, and a lot lighter fly. then I take the brown, underfur, and use it to dub over my thread. Really just a 4 step fly.

 

1) tie on your lead eyes to make the fly ride hook point up

2) tie in the belly of the fly using white coyote fur, found on the outsides of a coyote mask (remove under fur before tying)

3) tie in the brown/dark orange fur found in the center of the mask between ears (remove under fur before tying)

4) take the underfur from the brown/ dark orange fur and dub over your thread

5) whip fininsh.

 

This fly has been killer for me on brookies. I had scouted this stream while I was rifle hunting for deer. I could see a few in there so decided to give it a try. My wife gave me the best Christmas Gift I could ask for by letting me go out for a little on Christmas eve. I fished about 300 yards of stream in an hour and a half. I love this kind of fishing. Most of it I was on my knees trying to flip my streamer between cover without spooking these guys. I love fishing for them in the winter as there is really no other sound, but you and the stream. It is miles to the nearest house. The fish are beautiful. I really don't take much with me. I have a small plastic container to put in 5-10 flies. This trip I only used one. I take my fly rod outfit, and some 4# fluorocarbon. You can really pack light when fishing for these guys. No waders needed as well. ITs nice because you don't have to worry about hurting any spawning beds as you are never really in the stream. IF you need to switch sides you can just hop a few rocks and cross.

 

I am going to set up a fly rod specific for these tiny streams. I believe I will go with a 6' or 6'-6" 2 weight. Maybe put a redington zero on it. I am going to run just straight 20# mono on it for fly line, tie that to a small barrel swivel, and the just use 4# flouro for my leader. I don't fish dries that often on these small streams and if I do my max casting distance might be 8-12'.

 

Fishing for Native Brookies is definetly my favorite thing to fish for. I love the simplicity of it all and being connected to nature.

 

And on this trip I was gifted with a beautiful almost black brookie. I have never caught one so dark in my life. Really cool fish, who is now my desktop screen saver.

[Powershooter 0]

Amazing pictures, well done .

[tidewaterfly 0]

Great report & pics! I tie often with coyote too, real good stuff!

[fshng2 0]

Beautiful fish, thanks for sharing.

[SilverCreek 0]

Bump

[Husky9000 0]

Great pics...looks like a great outing!

[notenuftoys 0]

Great job coming up with that little pattern.

 

Small streams like that filled with brook trout are what I dream of at night.

[tferg 0]

Right on bowmike. I love your attitude. Your pics beautifully depict how unique each fish can be from the other, no matter what size. I am born and raised in SW Montana (spoiled) and after 55 years of fly fishing, I continue to wax and wane between large water and small water, tons of gear and basic gear, large fish and small fish. I am more happy now on small streams with very little gear. Thanks for the photos and story.

[RCFetter 0]

Great post and thanks bowmike.