Parachute Antics

I guess I'm lucky in that the first Trout I caught on a fly rod I caught on a Dryfly. Most novice anglers might take their first fish with a nymph on an indicator rig or by stripping a black Wooly Bugger but not me, I was blessed with a slow and deliberate rise. Unfortunately however, I can't say I was drifting Duns over furiously feeding fish in the middle of an epic hatch of Sulphurs on a famed eastern Spring Creek. It wasn't such a legendary event. I was fishing with my Father on Morgan Run in Carroll County Md. one Fall afternoon. Anyone familiar with this stream knows there are several pools conveniently located near the parking areas that get absolutely hammered. I was fishing one such spot with little hope of catching anything. No rises anywhere or even fish so it seemed but I kept fishing if only for the "on the water" practice. After trying all the old favorites like Adams and Elk Hair Caddis I tied on a Parachute Ant and cast it above a drowned tree. I followed the bright green post on that fly like a hawk as it approached the submerged timber and as it passed over a log it happened! A silvery head appeared and grabbed the fly, I waited until I felt the fish and set the hook! A minute later I had my first Fly caught Trout in the net and a smile on my face. Since then I always carry a few Parachute Ants with me. I've caught trout practically every month of the year on them regardless if their "in season" or not. Also, the next time your having trouble "Matching the Hatch" try "Un-Matching" it with an Ant pattern and you might be surprised. Furthermore don't be afraid to try larger sizes. There's just something about Ants that Trout love. 

Hook: Tiemco 100 sz. 12-22

Thread: Black Uni 8/0

Body Segments: Black Superfine Dubbing

Post: Hi-Viz Poly Yarn

Hackle: Black

The Fly Fisherman's Senko Worm

It could be argued that Fly Fisherman are at a disadvantage to Spin Fisherman when it comes to lure selection for Bass fishing. Fly anglers fishing for Bass might feel like they only have a few options on the water as opposed to a gear angler who has a tackle box full of them. Fly Fisherman can either fish a popper or surface slider and if that fails to produce we're left with fishing streamers and that's pretty much it right? Wrong! Unlike conventional anglers who are limited to what's on the shelves at the tackle shop Fly Fisherman and tiers are limited only by their materials which can be used to create all manner of effective flies. For a very long time the plastic worm or "Senko" worm has been one of if not the most effective lures a conventional angler could throw. This fly is the Fly Anglers version of this timeless bait. There are several other incarnations of the plastic worm for Fly Fisherman such as the "Gulley Worm" and "Foam Tail Super Worm." So the next time your at the pond or on the lake don't get jealous of the Spin Fishers. Figure out how you can replicate or in some cases improve upon the lures they are using. There is a definite satisfaction in this aside from catching more Bass, and that is beating the "Bass Pro's" at their own game!

Hook: Gamakatsu Offset Shank EWG Worm Hook sz. 2/0

Thread: Black UTC 140

Eyes: Red Lead Dumbell

"Wing"/Tail: Black Rabbit Zonker

Body: UV Black Estaz

Legs: Brown Round Rubber

Collar: Black Schlappen

The Result:

Heptageniidae Nymph Pattern

This pattern is about as realistic as I care to tie. It's a generic Heptageniidae or "Flat Headed" Mayfly Nymph I put together. These nymphs are common in practically every stream I've sampled and with 500 or so species they are no doubt an important food source for Trout. They are purpose built for crawling around rocks along the stream bottom. However, unlike other species of Mayfly Nymphs such as Baetidae they are poor swimmers and one misstep while crawling around in the current means a helpless snack for a hungry fish (That's not to say plenty Baetis don't get gobbled up!)  I had bought some extra small mono eyes last year for some Caddis Pupa I was tying and figured I could come up with some Mayfly Nymphs that could use them as well. I usually use this pattern as a dropper in tandem with a heavier more generalized nymph. I normally don't worry too much about details like eyes and such when developing my flies but it's fun to experiment at the vise. You may buy something at the flyshop and have only a vague idea ,or none at all, of what to use it for but once you start tying you'll be surprised what you can come up with. Have fun and experiment, therein lies the beauty of Fly Tying!

Hook: Tiemco 3761 sz.14

Thread: Dark Brown Uni 8/0

Tails: Moose Body Hair

Abdomen: Brown Scud Back ( I usually trim the 1/8 strip in half when wrapping bodies)

Rib: Brown UTC Ultra Wire sz. small

Wing Case/Head: Mottled Oak ThinSkin  (Underside colored with Brown permanent marker)

Thorax/Head: Brown SLF Squirrel

Legs: Brown Speckled Hen Saddle ( Tied over the thorax style)

Eyes: Spirit River Black X-Small Mono Eyes