FLYMPH FORUM

Size 14 Guides Choice hares ear jig.
I dyed a hares mask and a partridge skin a deep olive. Here are the results. I did put a pearl flash back on it to simulate an air bubble on a cracked shuck. Also I tend to prefer copper wire rather than gold on most of my flies.

You do good work.

The Guides Choice is a staple for me. Especially during late Winter through Spring high water. Size 12 is my most common size.

It is one of the few patterns I have tyed in Olive that the success rate has drastically reduced. I have no idea why that is.

Perhabs gold French tinsel is the reason. The reason is probably operator error on my part. In any event, good looking fly.

Thank you very much. The guides choice for me is that one fly that I can always tie on and scratch out a fish or 2 if I'm having a crappy day. No matter the species or water type I'm NEVER without 3 in my box. I substitute copper wire (and bead if applicable) on pretty much any fly but especially hares ears. But my top producing guides choice is with a dun dyed hares mask, black wire rib and black bead. When I dyed the mask the dun color took really well on the ears but not much at all on the under fur of the cheeks so when I blend it, it turns out a really nice pale gray with blue dun speckles. And the muted gray and black rib/bear really makes the red hot spot POP. I really recommend trying some.

I do have a Dun Hares mask. In the background to the right

When I get home next week, I will throw a couple Guides Choice together, similar to your recipe, and and give them a whirl.

Wonderful flies guys. Definitely going to add some to my box. Thanks for sharing and inspiring us all.

@DUBBN please post pictures of your version when you get them done!

Dubbn and 12... those are beauties for sure... I will be (as usual) copying those flies at my tying groups session this evening. Thanks for the inspiration. Unfortunately, I don't have a dun dyed hare's mask but I'll improvise

ronr wrote: ↑Thu Jun 09, 2022 9:40 am Dubbn and 12... those are beauties for sure... I will be (as usual) copying those flies at my tying groups session this evening. Thanks for the inspiration. Unfortunately, I don't have a dun dyed hare's mask but I'll improvise

Ronr, pay no attention to the patterns in my photo. I only used that pic as it is all I have access to of my hares mask, at my current location.

The olives in the pic have a splash of Dun Hare as a thorax. They were mediocre patterns at best, and I no longer use them

Wayne.... ok if you insist.... I'll just screw around and perhaps screw up the Guides choice... so with proper credit to Terrestrial12, Ohlie's flies, Kelly Galloup, and Fly Fish Food... here's a mash up Guides choice

FM 50-45 size 12
3.8 copper slotted bead, burned with torch ala Ohlie's flies
tail partridge fibers
rib twisted krystal flash pearl ala Kelly Galloup
under "leg" krystal flash ala Kelly Galloup
body bleached hairs mask in dubbing loop ala Ohlie's flies and T12 and Dubbn (no dun dye ava)
thorax peacock eye ala Galloup
hackle micro pine squirrel tan in loop ala Fly fish Food

oh thread UNI 6/0 fire orange...

any chance I may have overthunk this dude

No, it was not over thought. Your improvising skills are amazing though.

I too like the Fire Orange threads.

Good work.