FLYMPH FORUM

Greetings to all, last winter reading through the various discussions of
softhackled patterns. I'm applying what I've gathered to specific angling
situations here in my home waters.
The Susitna River drainage has many bodies of water which are tributaries
but some are stillwaters (lakes) surrounded by bug infested marsh like areas.
These stillwaters are typically crystal clear waters. Salmon spawn in them
and are loaded with alvin, areas with exposed gravel bottom are also spawning
beds for the rainbows. Those laid up on the weed beds require stealth (often
the water is only knee deep ).
I've used the traditional black knat, blue dun, hares ear wets tied in Dave Hughes
soft hackle style but the partridge and orange is head and shoulders above.
Observing the body language of these trout when they respond, there's no
hesitation, its agressive.
There's gifted fly tiers here on this forum, how would you approach this
situation ?


This one is tied on a tmc200r size 14 just for the shallow water presentations.

They spook if they sense anythings "not rite" or "outta place". I'm currently using
Rio lake camolux intermediate, 6 wt and 14 ft leaders.


Some are smaller & larger, I picked this photo cause my finger wasnt in front
of the lense and it had no fish slime or water on the lense for a change

Cheers !
John Raynsford
Eagle River, Alaska

Great photo, John. Have you tried any other colors? It so, have the trout or salmon displayed a preference for one color, versus another? Do you have dolly vardon there? (I've always wanted to catch a dolly vardon in full spawning colors).

John,

I would suggest tying the hackle in reverse, like you see on the Kabari Tenkara flies. I have been doing this for years for Stillwater spiders long before the Tenkara craze. It is a lessoned taken from many old Sea Run Cutthroat patterns in the PNW. These large reversed soft hackles (#8) would be cast into the slack water of coastal streams and gently stripped to get the hackle to pulse. I feel it makes a difference when fishing Stillwater. The other suggestion is to tie the hackle longer than you might generally tie a soft hackle to impart a more swimming action the fly when worked in Stillwater.

I make a little thorax behind the hackle, when i give the fly live by moving the fly there will be a kind of shape like a nymph, when I stop the movement the hackle pulse again in his normal position.


Greeting

John, I'm very jealous of your opportunities. Beautiful catch and a great insight into conditions different than I'm used to fishing. Saying that, your stillwater condition makes me nervous and I just don't have water anything like that here. When I read your post I had some initial thoughts and not surprising the responses you've already received match what I might offer. The long leader helps. Stealth helps. But in terms of fly design and presentation I was going to suggest a Stuart spider variation withan orange body and more palmered hackle. Besides the inherent mobility of the hackle you might also get a softer impact. Besides that it looks like you've got it covered. I usually take advantage of rougher water and some flow to make up for what would be a clumsy show in your water. Please share more as you figure out the best presentation.

Old Hat wrote:John,

I would suggest tying the hackle in reverse, like you see on the Kabari Tenkara flies. The other suggestion is to tie the hackle longer than you might generally tie a soft hackle to impart a more swimming action the fly when worked in Stillwater.

Thanks for the suggestions. I'd never even thought of using a soft hackle in
Tenkara style. Heading out later this evening after tying some up and will
work the shallow weed beds and prime brushy shoreline.

Cheers !
John

Oh, and yes we do have lots of dolly varden here. Will post some pics later on.
but that's a whole nother topic, grin.