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Cold , Wet, Weather

Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2012 6:26 pm
by DUBBN
I am floating one of my favorite rivers this Saturday. Forecasts are calling for lots of much needed precipitation, and very cool temperatures. The storm rolled in to my area about an hour ago, and we are suppose to have on again off again showers till next Tuesday. Ofcourse the brunt of the storm is suppose to hit while I am floating. I am actually looking forward to the change in weather.

Spring weather is full of surprises. I wont be surprised if I get frost bite and heat stroke in the same day. Gin clear water can turn to Chocolate Milk in the blink of an eye. The river can raise or lower in a matter of moments.

Reports have been phenominal when describing the BWO hatch on cloudy days, so I am quite sure the Baetis nymphs/emergers/ Flymphs will get a workout. I only throw drys as a last ditch effort. Just not to my liking.

In my neck of the woods Caddis are starting to stir in the rivers aswell. Last trip, two weeks ago, I counted numerous Caddis on boulders. I did well catching fish on that trip with size 14 Cased Caddis (Tan). I am sure a Hares Flymph would have done just as well. Just because the weather has taken a turn for the cool, doesnt mean the Caddis activity will completly shut down. Just my opinion there.

A fly shop on that river suggests a Peacock and Partridge . Thats a pattern that I tryed years ago, and the truth is, I wasn't really impressed. That was more years ago than I care to admit. Being so long ago since I tryed it, I thought I would give it another go.

I don't know what the river will show to me this coming weekend, but I believe I will be prepared with the proper flys. Perhaps it will be Baetis, maybe Caddis. I bet theres a chance it could be Cranefly larva. You can bet your bottom dollar I wont forget about the many Stone Nymphs that are getting ready to make their appearance in a few months.
I never know what to expect in the Spring. Kinda makes it fun. :-)

Heres the Partridge and Peacock I tyed....


Hook - Mustad 3906 size 12
Thread - Griffiths 14/0, Black
Body - Peacock Herl
Rib- Small Copper Wire (counter wrapped)
Collar - Partridge

Image

Re: Cold , Wet, Weather

Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2012 6:38 pm
by letumgo
I am always impressed by the elegance of these simple patterns. When they are dressed to perfection, as in this case, they are a thing of beauty. Gorgeous fly, Wayne & crisply photographed. Now I hope the fish do their best to destroy this fly. :D

Re: Cold , Wet, Weather

Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2012 7:54 pm
by DUBBN
Hi winds and a Winter storm watch has cancelled my float. AGAIN! Think I will load the new puppy up and head t a nearby river early in the morning. IF, the wind is not raging.

BTW, thanks for the kind words Ray. :)

Re: Cold , Wet, Weather

Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2012 9:40 am
by William Anderson
Wayne, sorry to hear about your trip. I'm looking forward to this report when you do get out there.

This pattern is a classic. Who was I reading this week, a very old book, and the author was clammering about this fly in particular, a longer, ribbed peacock body and partridge color like yours as the one pattern he never wanted to be without. Cant remember. When I think of these herl bodied soft-hackles, the Brown Hackle for instance, they usually have a bit more truncated body, but it would make a lot of sense to carry some like the fly you've shown. I'm not talking about #10 Zug Bugs, just a standard or 1x long nymph hook. I've been putting together new boxes and will add a range of these. This has come up too many times recently to ignore. Thanks.

Re: Cold , Wet, Weather

Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2012 10:27 am
by DUBBN
No worrys about the trip. I am getting the garden spot tilled, fixed the sprinkling system, mowed for the first time this year (sharpened the blades), and perfecting my split thread technique.

Who am I kidding? I am fricking bummed out major league! Gonna drown my sorrows in large amounts of malt beverages, and corn squeezings! :x

Plus work on my split thread technique! ;)

Re: Cold , Wet, Weather

Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2012 11:29 am
by letumgo
Corn squeezings?! Why didn't you say that earlier. I'll be right over. Stoke up the grill. :D

Re: Cold , Wet, Weather

Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2012 6:27 pm
by DUBBN
letumgo wrote:Corn squeezings?! Why didn't you say that earlier. I'll be right over. Stoke up the grill. :D

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Re: Cold , Wet, Weather

Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2012 6:30 pm
by DUBBN
I am so lucky not to like Single Malt, Cigars, or weird hats! :lol: :lol:

Re: Cold , Wet, Weather

Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2012 6:39 pm
by michaelgmcgraw
Nice Peacock & Partridge ! One of the monitors (UPK or trouble Buses) had me tye up a flybox full of flies for a present for her Husband which contained a dozen Orange tinted & brassy Peacock & dark brown soft Hen hackles. Liked em so much I tied a few for me :)

Re: Cold , Wet, Weather

Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2012 6:44 pm
by michaelgmcgraw
Wish I could have snort of the good stuff but it blows out my sugar levels. But I do keep a few good Hondurans & Fuente's In my Humidor