Emerging Caddis and Some Good Ideas

" If you think that this is all too much to deal with then forget about the essence of this pastime (fooling trout with imitation insects) and just keep tossing your rainbow warriors, chartreuse mops and the rest of the junk flies.  But remember, it's not how many fish that you catch but how you catch them."  

The great fly fishing writer, Bob Wyatt, is a hero of mine. The author of What Trout Want- The Educated Trout And Other Myths-  basically ties all of his dries as an emerging insect and that is tying a dry fly that has half of its body above the surface and half below and that is because that is how most aquatic insects present themselves to a trout. He has no use for the high riding traditional dry, riding daintily on its hackle tips.  He has even taken on the venerable Elk Hair Caddis and so will I.

Hook - size 14 to 16 scud hook

body - olive colored Coats & Clark thread for the rear Start half way through the hook bend and advance forward. 

Thorax - brown or olive hares mask

Wing - Fine deer hair.  I don't use elk on this pattern.

The heaviest part of this fly is at the hook bend which will make the hook bend drop below the surface. The wing will keep the front above the surface just like a natural insect. In fact, I may abandon the time honored Comparadun for Wyatts DHE  Emerger!

A Good Idea

 

I mentioned this product a few years ago as a remedy for a wader leak.  I used it and it worked. Others used it and it worked for them.  Back then you could only buy it online but now everyone from CVS to Wal Mart carries it.  Most wader leaks occur in the neoprene booty and this stuff works on that material better than anything else.  

I also mentioned that I got nothing for this endorsement.  I still don't!

Another Good Idea - Dry Fly Floatant

There are many dry fly floatants out there and the best of them all include Silica Gel and/or Fumed Silica. Silica Gel is not a gel per say, but a rock like substance that is used to absorb moisture. (buy a pair of shoes or a piece of luggage and you'll find the free little pack of it)  Fumed Silica is a powder that has the density of a light fog!  Most floatants are either ALL gel or a combination of gel and fumed powder. Gel rocks are added to the fumed silica to actually move this substance around when you shake the container to cover the fly and remove moisture.

One product doesn't add Silica Gel and is just the fumed silica and it is, in my opinion, a mess.  I won't mention the products name but just say that it could be called Amphibians Ass.  

Without the gel the fumed stuff doesn't cover the fly. That's why it comes with an applicator brush to dab it all over the fly, yourself and the water.  One online comment said that you don't want to use this stuff in a Montana wind!!

The product to the left is a 5 lb. jar of Silica gel purchased at Michael's Crafts. It cost me $15 and it is a 100 year supply. I offload it to a small jar that formally held a similar product. The gel by itself works very well but if you want to add some fumed silica to the mix that's all the better. (Note: please don't try to make a case for liquids or gooey  gel.  I really hate that stuff!!) And don't think you are making a difference by dabbing fumed silica on CERTAIN AREAS OF THE FLY and not other parts to aid in presentation.  Get Real!

The rivers have been blown out for the season EXCEPT for the Swift and it has been fishing well.  Winter on the Swift is REALLY the time for small flies and I've got to fill some holes in my fly boxes.

Yes, I'm still guiding!!!!  Contact Me!!!

Ken