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Raising Hackles with Synthetic Fly Materials...
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September 09, 2009
Raising Hackles with Synthetic Fly Materials...
By Kirk Deeter
September is hopper season on many trout rivers throughout the country. There's nothing quite like a slow, deliberate rise... when that fish inspects, follows, and (hopefully) inhales that bobbing T-Bone. Some of my favorite patterns are big, gaudy foam bugs. Artificials, no doubt, but are they "flies" in the truest sense? We've talked a bit about this before, but since it is the foam hopper season, I think the topic is worth a revisit.
I remember one episode years ago, having hooked a single large rainbow after working all day on the Railroad Ranch section of the Henry's Fork... that night I ran into legendary fly tier Rene Harrop in the A-Bar in Last Chance, and I had a big foam bug stuck in the bill of my cap. "Indian Jewelry," is how he described it.
Now nobody who has fished with me has ever called me a purist. Maybe "old school" when they see the tattered waxcloth vest I sometimes wear... and Joe Cermele has rightly pointed out my distaste for using egg flies (especially beads). Not a foul in my mind, but not my gig. San Juan worms get it done... but not my cup of tea...
Still, I just can't bring myself to joining the fur-and-feathers only crowd. As I've said before, a spoon fly is not a spoon fly. It's a spoon you happen to be throwing with a fly rod. A "Gummy Minnow" isn't a fly. It's a soft plastic, that looks like a baitfish, which you just might happen to throw with a fly rod. You might as well throw a rubber worm and call that a fly too.
So maybe I'm a hypocrite. For me, right now, it's often "throw foam or go home." I think a foam Chernobyl Ant is not only a fly, it's a damn fine fly I'll gladly use without any remorse or reflection whatsoever.
But where do we draw the line? (Other than scenting flies!)
Deeter
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Comments (10)
"I shall not today attempt further to define the kinds of material I understand to be embraced within that shorthand description; and perhaps I could never succeed in intelligibly doing so. But I know it when I see it..."
Thanks for the chuckle, Ramcatt!
But unlike porn, sometimes The Man does take a stab at it. e.g.:
"5 AAC 75.995. Definitions:
(1) Artificial fly means a fly which is constructed by common methods known as fly tying, including a dry fly, wet fly, and nymph, which is free of bait as defined in 5 AAC 75.995. Materials and chemicals designed and produced primarily to cause flies to float or sink may be used on artificial flies... "
Deeter - how do you feel about those little propellers tied on flies?? Me, hell - I learned a long time ago that a size-aught Mepps casts just fine on a 6-weight...
I say, "Let the fish decide."
As long as it is not a Rubber egg fly, or has bait on it, I don't care.
There is no line, just shades of grey. I'd say that artificial foam hopper is closer to a fly than a 4" au natural bunny pike fly. It all depends on how far to the black side of things you want to go. I've never thrown a 0 size mepps, but I had to try a tiny rapala based on a friends experience and they go farther on my 6wt than they do on my spinning setup. What about the line between floating and sinking line?
I think you draw the line where ever it pleases you. I personally like shooting game and using the fur and feathers for flies but if a guy wanted to cast a rubber worm with his fly rod so be it. I just won't fish with the guy.
There is endless variance in who is OK with what in fly fishing. Some people go "too far" in some areas, but are much more "conservative" in others.
Apparently Merwin is OK with using a stomach pump, I draw the line there. Practically cheating, and the trout earned his meal so he gets to keep it. But I won't criticize anyone for it, even if it sounds like I just did. My reaction is more like "Oh man, are you serious? Haha wow."
Contrarily (sorta), I don't draw the line on beads, spoons, or foam. I won't call a spoon a fly either. Related - to me a beadhead is just a tiny fancy jig, nothing more, but I'll be glad to fish one.
Hell, I might even try bait. I do on spinning gear, so why not start?
I'll fish with anybody doing anything within reason, but I won't always try it myself.
Deeter...
congrats to your Wolverines. You got a big one coming up this weekend. Prediction?
It'll just always depend on who you ask...no true lines. Someone who ties his own midges will look down on those who buy theirs who will look down on foam who will look down on bait and so on. Just like lowbow hunters look down on compound bow hunters down to crossbow, etc. That's why we're able to have these discussions, the combinations and considerations are endless.
Foam is not the unique material to tie a good hopper
a friend of mine bring to me a rare pattern (half pop a lip and half grasshopper) As a joke for me,this ugly thing Wooorks... the legs a very important part of the
fly was made with a non commun material,dog hair the breed of that dog is a mystery. But the petroleum sinthetics also works.
Post a Comment
Thanks for the chuckle, Ramcatt!
But unlike porn, sometimes The Man does take a stab at it. e.g.:
"5 AAC 75.995. Definitions:
(1) Artificial fly means a fly which is constructed by common methods known as fly tying, including a dry fly, wet fly, and nymph, which is free of bait as defined in 5 AAC 75.995. Materials and chemicals designed and produced primarily to cause flies to float or sink may be used on artificial flies... "
Deeter - how do you feel about those little propellers tied on flies?? Me, hell - I learned a long time ago that a size-aught Mepps casts just fine on a 6-weight...
As long as it is not a Rubber egg fly, or has bait on it, I don't care.
I say, "Let the fish decide."
"I shall not today attempt further to define the kinds of material I understand to be embraced within that shorthand description; and perhaps I could never succeed in intelligibly doing so. But I know it when I see it..."
I think you draw the line where ever it pleases you. I personally like shooting game and using the fur and feathers for flies but if a guy wanted to cast a rubber worm with his fly rod so be it. I just won't fish with the guy.
There is endless variance in who is OK with what in fly fishing. Some people go "too far" in some areas, but are much more "conservative" in others.
Apparently Merwin is OK with using a stomach pump, I draw the line there. Practically cheating, and the trout earned his meal so he gets to keep it. But I won't criticize anyone for it, even if it sounds like I just did. My reaction is more like "Oh man, are you serious? Haha wow."
Contrarily (sorta), I don't draw the line on beads, spoons, or foam. I won't call a spoon a fly either. Related - to me a beadhead is just a tiny fancy jig, nothing more, but I'll be glad to fish one.
Hell, I might even try bait. I do on spinning gear, so why not start?
I'll fish with anybody doing anything within reason, but I won't always try it myself.
Deeter...
congrats to your Wolverines. You got a big one coming up this weekend. Prediction?
There is no line, just shades of grey. I'd say that artificial foam hopper is closer to a fly than a 4" au natural bunny pike fly. It all depends on how far to the black side of things you want to go. I've never thrown a 0 size mepps, but I had to try a tiny rapala based on a friends experience and they go farther on my 6wt than they do on my spinning setup. What about the line between floating and sinking line?
Foam is not the unique material to tie a good hopper
a friend of mine bring to me a rare pattern (half pop a lip and half grasshopper) As a joke for me,this ugly thing Wooorks... the legs a very important part of the
fly was made with a non commun material,dog hair the breed of that dog is a mystery. But the petroleum sinthetics also works.
It'll just always depend on who you ask...no true lines. Someone who ties his own midges will look down on those who buy theirs who will look down on foam who will look down on bait and so on. Just like lowbow hunters look down on compound bow hunters down to crossbow, etc. That's why we're able to have these discussions, the combinations and considerations are endless.
Post a Comment