Fly Tying

I first came across the Silver Streak fly last summer.  I was fishing the East Walker River and I had picked up a couple of these on the recommendation of the staff of Ken's in Bridgeport.  After a tough morning, I tied one of these Blue Wing Olive imitations on and it saved the day.  Well, I was back at the same spot recently for a little early spring fishing and the same tough morning was saved by the Silver Streak.  This little fly is the creation of Larry Kingrey and is one of his signature flies for Idylwilde Flies (a fair trade fly wholesaler). 

Calling the Pig Sticker a fly just doesn't quite feel right since this variation of the San Juan Worm is technically a worm and not a fly.  Since I tie them up at my bench I'm going to call it a fly - so you and I will have to deal with it.  Fly fishing purists wouldn't be caught dead with this fly in their fly boxes.  These folks will tell you that even though it is hand tied, this lure is one step closer to tying on bait.  Well, I'm not buying it.  This fly is extremely functional.  It is easy to tie and it can be fished anywhere in the world.  So... Thank you I don't mind if I do.

A couple of years ago a buddy handed me this tiny #18 fly that he swore by.  I don't think he even knew where he originally got his.  Well, I ended up fishing that fly the rest of the day.  It was so effective that I spent quite a bit of time researching it trying to find out exactly what it was and how to tie it.  That proved to be harder than I thought.  I have never found one in a fly shop and I've never seen one online.  Now, if you're reading this you intend on making it yourself, and frankly, that's how it should be. 

How effective is this fly?  It is my favorite caddis nymph fly.  Without exception, I use it whenever there is caddis on the water.  I always have at least a half dozen in my fly box.

My version of the parachute ant (my buddy Ray actually gets credit for turning me on to this fly) became my most used dry fly this summer.  Over and over I found that it would fool picky trout.  From Spring to Fall this is an amazing fly to try along brush lined river and stream banks.  In fact, you may be surprised how well this fishes all year round.  Many fly anglers forget how important terrestrials are to a trout's diet.  The profile of the parachute ants seems to be more effective than regular ant patterns.  This is the fly that landed me all those Golden Trout I went after recently.  They couldn't get enough.  Tie some up and keep a bunch in your fly box.