Don't be technique driven. Just FISH!! It's more fun! Me
I really don't like this fly BUT there are times on the Swift where it's the only thing that will work for that short 15 minute window when all hell breaks loose. Three years ago I wrote of another way to put these things together where that big, hard body allows enough hook gap to be effective. Here's a better way.
First - take a sewing needle and jab it into a piece of cork that will make the "pellet" AFTER you run 6 inches of 3x tippet through the eye of the needle.
Second - run the needle through the cork carrying the 3x through the cork. Take both ends of the 3x and tie TWO overhand knots to secure the cork to the 3x. (no glue required!
Third - Take the 3x with the cork fastened to it and tie it to the hook shank on both ends.
Fourth - cut off the loose ends and you are DONE. You have a Swift River God foresaken pellet fly that will have PLENTY of hook gap that many of the traditional flies do not have. Plus you can use this as an indicator below the pellet with small nymphs.
I had one old pellet fly with me Saturday far below the Pipe when the tail end of this "hatch" brought dozens of trout to the surface. I missed 3 that couldn't hook themselves before one broke it off. I needed a better fly!!!!
No real rain in sight for the week and temperatures in the 60's and 70's. Can you spell Quill Gordons and Hendricksons???? IT'S SPRING IN MASSACHUSETTS!!!
P.S. I like using the artificial cork found in many wine bottles. It cuts and shapes easily. Some of the wine isn't bad either!!!
Ken
11 comments:
Funny! Sometimes I think the blog can be a little on the "purist" side, but it is nice to see you don't take yourself too seriously. Can't wait to get out on the water.
Chico,
I take myself seriously but not really the pellet fly. It's a "one trick pony" that works nowhere else but it's nice to have around when you want some surface action.
Sometimes I think I'm not purist enough!!!!! (haha)
Ken
And I thought I had seen everything when the MOP fly was invented!
Anonymous,
Don't knock the MOP. In natural colors it's a great hellgrammite/large nymph imitation.
Ken
I'll try your threaded pellet idea. Reduced hook gap has lost me fish as well.
May as well leap right over the edge and bring up the next controvertial craze ... the squirmy wormy. Have you seen or used this 'new' panacea?
Bob O,
The line is drawn at squirmy wormies. I have to use something that actually LOOKS like it belongs is a stream. Regrettably pellets are found in the Swift.
Ken
Saw 11 cars at guage lot yesterday, heard several conversations about this article
The ole' Pellet fly...use to sling these on the 1st day of fishing season when I was growing up in Pennsylvania. Mine was just a woven ball of brown yarn. Looked just like a fish pellet they would feed the fish with in the hatchery.
Wish I was in New England this time of year with the rivers getting into Spring fever...Run Off is beginning out here in Montana so I have to travel far to get to clear water.
Good to hear from you Kozman!!
Ken
Great stonefly hatch tonight and the brook trout were partaking plenty and the topwater action was good. One took the parachute adams a bit too deep into its gill zone. Others released as always, but that one came home with me.
I never thought I'd see the day . Blasphemy I say ! The old timers are rolling in their graves . Dan
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