"The situation (poaching by net) got so bad so early that the first documented fishing regulation in America was enacted in 1734 by the City of New York, which limited Collect Pond (lower Manhattan) to hook and line fishing only. By some accounts, the pond continued to produce brook trout until 1816 , when it was drained; it's now covered by the Tombs Prison." -John Merwin
The WD 40
This may be one of the great mayfly nymph patterns of all time. It perfectly imitates those pesky emerging Baaetis nymphs nymphs by being the right size (20 to 26), being the right shape (slightly curved) and being constructed with natural materials that imitate insects and not costume jewelry. It's also easy to tie.
Hook - curved nymph hook (I use Saber Hooks by Fly Shack, good hooks, great price)
Thread - 12/0 olive
Tail and Back - Mallard tied in on top with fine fibers extending just beyond the hook curve. Mallard is advanced forward over back.
Thorax - buggy rabbit or muskrat in a buggy ball with the end of the mallard tied down over it.
(Note) the photo above is tied with olive thread for the body, and combed out olive floss for the back and tail. Also the thorax is just dubbed on without mallard of anything else holding it down). Use this fly on those shallow flats!!! European Fly Fishing Competition
The photo on the right is of Day 1 of a fly fishing somewhere in Europe. Doesn't look like a skill test to me but an old opening day on Comet Pond. Do you thing they loaded the place up with stockers for the event? I do, just like I believe that competition rivers are stocked to the brim a few days before. I can see my 10 year old grandson wanting to enter a fishing derby and that's because he's a kid, not an adult!!!
The Rivers
As of this morning:
The Ware is at 84 cfs (good)
The Swift is at 52 cfs (and staying there)
The EB is at 272 cfs (perfect)
The Millers is at 723 cfs (not yet, wait to 500 or lower but be careful)
These rivers will recede and hopefully that will happen slowly to insure a great Fall season which is just around the bend. I'm booking for the near future already. Lock down your date!!!!!
Ken
5 comments:
Ken,
The WD40 is a great fly that doesn't get the billing that it should. Maybe more of a spring creek fly.
GW
Ken,
"Opening Day at Comet Pond". That's funny!!
Brian P.
The WD 40 is a really great pattern-old enough to be almost considered classic. It a guide staple in some parts of the country. One pattern I have not heard mentioned much on this site is an RS2...if you are in CO or NM or UT and you don't have it they pretty much take away your fishing license! Anyhow its a pattern I was introduced to in CO and its a fantastic nymph/emerger like the WD ... I will often drop one off any dry fly imitation if fishing is slow. Generally one to two feet depending on depth-it can be tied with a glass bead to get a little deeper. It does very nicely on the Swift for sure but pretty much everywhere midges and small mayflys live. I tie them in 18-22 and they take about 2 minutes each(unless you split the tails as in the original-then its 4 minutes)-if you are looking for something to use as a tiny dropper or nymph; I guarantee this will get bit.
BobT,
Another good fly that I think works best on the surface. That's what those outrigger tails are for I guess. Wow, I think we could go on all day pulling these flies out of our heads.
Ken
The RS-2 is definitely a multi-stage fly. To the best of my recollection, I've never personally fished it on the surface in favor of another Colorado favorite, the Bunny Dun, but if you are in a pinch and need a little skinny fly the RS-2 is as good as many. You could go to the Swift with a box of a dozen in different colors and sizes and do quite well.
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