The Circle of Flies

08-30-09, 04:03 PM

I remember when I first started fly fishing some 25 years ago I probably didn't have more than 3 or 4 types of flies occupying my fly box. As far as dry flies an Adams Wulf and tan caddis would just about do it, and why would you ever need anything but a Ted's stonefly and Prince nymph. It seems I remember catching enough fish on these to satisfy the need.

As with any pursuit, though, you move into the "new" and "better." For a long time I was able to catch a satisfying number of fish with a good ol' Prince nymph just swinging it downstream. Later I discovered strike indicators and the drag free drift. I actually caught more fish using the "bobber."

When I discovered several years later the dry dropper rig, I thought I could be a guide on the Madison! A size 14 Adams Wulf (had to be a Wulf so I could see it) with a size 14 to 16 Prince nymph was about all that occupied my fly box for quite a while.

As I progressed so did my knowledge of midges and emergers and for the last 3 or 4 years these flies started occupying more and more space in my fly box.

Well, all that leads me to this. For the last couple weeks more and more fish have been drawn to those fancy small flies but more and more have began refusing them and I have no idea why. Saturday on the water was no different. Four refusals with no hook ups lead to extreme frustration. As I searched through my fly box at all the new-fangled flies there on one side were a couple of old friends that had not been used in at least 3 years. You guessed it- the Adams Wulf and Prince nymph. So I thought maybe it was time to return to my roots of fly fishing and WHAM- 3 hookups in about 5 minutes. Needless to say I stayed with this rig for the rest of the day with very satisfying results. Next time I won't wait so long.

This one took the Adams

This one took the BH Prince

And the fish of the day took the Adams

terry creech · 08-30-09, 05:26 PM

They don't call them essentials for nothing.

Buck Henry · 08-30-09, 06:31 PM

Steepcreek and I fished in a very similar spot today and experienced the same behavior. Trout would roll up on a dry and then refuse it. Fishing was tough but the fish we caught were also substantial. Here is a shot of Steepcreek fighting, landing and then releasing a nice Toccoa Bow:

S.Trutta · 08-30-09, 08:09 PM

Phenomenal guys! Those fish are beautiful, and posed with a fine cane rod thats makes it perfect in my book! My Oyster will be getting here very soon and I can't wait....although it will be a while before I get a chance at trout that nice!

Rich

Gaines'BowBum · 08-30-09, 09:36 PM

Very nice report and pics.... Fish of the day was beautiful!!! Seems like I've got 4 fly boxes for trout and use the same 5 patterns unless the fish are keying in on something particular... Go figure. Glad the old stand-by patterns produced for ya!!!

Appreciate the pics...

--Alex

Naturally_Fly · 08-30-09, 09:55 PM

Awesome report y'all...I think every fisherman would say the same thing...they have there old favorites they love to fish...I know whenever I'm at the dam if I see fish rising the first fly I grab is a EHC...

08-31-09, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by S.Trutta

Phenomenal guys! Those fish are beautiful, and posed with a fine cane rod thats makes it perfect in my book! My Oyster will be getting here very soon and I can't wait....although it will be a while before I get a chance at trout that nice!

Rich

Rich
I was by Bill's shop the other day and saw the finely crafted strips of bamboo that will become your masterpice! It's like a kid on December 20th, isn't it?

Gatorbyte · 08-31-09, 12:03 PM

Quality all around. Good to see that you've still got some very nice pets.

08-30-09, 04:03 PM	#1
cucarachafly Guest Posts: n/a	The Circle of Flies I remember when I first started fly fishing some 25 years ago I probably didn't have more than 3 or 4 types of flies occupying my fly box. As far as dry flies an Adams Wulf and tan caddis would just about do it, and why would you ever need anything but a Ted's stonefly and Prince nymph. It seems I remember catching enough fish on these to satisfy the need. As with any pursuit, though, you move into the "new" and "better." For a long time I was able to catch a satisfying number of fish with a good ol' Prince nymph just swinging it downstream. Later I discovered strike indicators and the drag free drift. I actually caught more fish using the "bobber." When I discovered several years later the dry dropper rig, I thought I could be a guide on the Madison! A size 14 Adams Wulf (had to be a Wulf so I could see it) with a size 14 to 16 Prince nymph was about all that occupied my fly box for quite a while. As I progressed so did my knowledge of midges and emergers and for the last 3 or 4 years these flies started occupying more and more space in my fly box. Well, all that leads me to this. For the last couple weeks more and more fish have been drawn to those fancy small flies but more and more have began refusing them and I have no idea why. Saturday on the water was no different. Four refusals with no hook ups lead to extreme frustration. As I searched through my fly box at all the new-fangled flies there on one side were a couple of old friends that had not been used in at least 3 years. You guessed it- the Adams Wulf and Prince nymph. So I thought maybe it was time to return to my roots of fly fishing and WHAM- 3 hookups in about 5 minutes. Needless to say I stayed with this rig for the rest of the day with very satisfying results. Next time I won't wait so long. This one took the Adams This one took the BH Prince And the fish of the day took the Adams

08-30-09, 05:26 PM	#2
terry creech Hall of Fame Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Paulding County Posts: 1,765	Great post They don't call them essentials for nothing. __________________ "Good things come to those who wade."

08-30-09, 06:31 PM	#3
Buck Henry Former NGTO President Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Kennesaw, GA Posts: 8,660	Steepcreek and I fished in a very similar spot today and experienced the same behavior. Trout would roll up on a dry and then refuse it. Fishing was tough but the fish we caught were also substantial. Here is a shot of Steepcreek fighting, landing and then releasing a nice Toccoa Bow: __________________ Buck Henry Simple Goat Herder Former NGTO President Hall of Fame Member

08-30-09, 08:09 PM	#4
S.Trutta Native Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Grand Rapids, MI Posts: 1,890	Phenomenal guys! Those fish are beautiful, and posed with a fine cane rod thats makes it perfect in my book! My Oyster will be getting here very soon and I can't wait....although it will be a while before I get a chance at trout that nice! Rich __________________ "Fish hard or go home!!!"

08-30-09, 09:36 PM	#5
Gaines'BowBum Native Join Date: May 2006 Location: Gainesville Posts: 1,673	Good stuff... Very nice report and pics.... Fish of the day was beautiful!!! Seems like I've got 4 fly boxes for trout and use the same 5 patterns unless the fish are keying in on something particular... Go figure. Glad the old stand-by patterns produced for ya!!! Appreciate the pics... --Alex __________________ "I like onion rings, pop tarts, jazz recorder, and fly fishing..." --Turd Furgeson

08-30-09, 09:55 PM	#6
Naturally_Fly Formerly Known as Orange_Spokes Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Mount Pleasant, SC Posts: 2,807 Blog Entries: 3	Awesome report y'all...I think every fisherman would say the same thing...they have there old favorites they love to fish...I know whenever I'm at the dam if I see fish rising the first fly I grab is a EHC... __________________ I use dry flies...why just for the chance of the perfect cast, perfect drift, just to see it disappear...and then FISH ON!!!! 2010 Fall Fling Hero Shot Winner - 73' 2011 Spring Fling Hero Shot Winner - 84' (91' Practice) Southern Fly Fishing http://southernflyfishing1530.wordpress.com

08-31-09, 12:03 PM	#8
Gatorbyte President Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 7,549	Quality all around. Good to see that you've still got some very nice pets. __________________ "Laughter is my drug of choice" - B. Nelson, HSD, AA, BS, MS, LPC, LMHC, NCC, FFF CCI, ACI, TAG, OPP, OCD, ADHD, ODD, PIB, MIB, PBR, PB & J " I didn't know you could spell a number. " - The Dutchman

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