FLYMPH FORUM

I'm pretty sure most everywhere has the big bluish/greenish flies called bluebottles. Here is a soft hackle imitation.
Hook: size 10 mustad 3366
Abdomen: blue flashabou
Rib: size small black wire
Thorax: possum dyed black
Hackle: black/green/purple starling
Head/hot spot: flo fire orange tying thread
I use black tying thread and just whip finish after the hackle and come back and build a small head over it with the hot orange. A drop of super glue spread over the thread base before wrapping the flashabou gives an extremely durable fly. I have a spot that grows 10"-11-"-12" bluegill and I caught around 30 fish on the same fly before it came apart. Very happy with how it fishes!

Cool!
Mike.

Really nice. I like it. Wish I had a place to catch 12" bluegill.

Love the color!

Gorgeous pattern! I really like the color combination and proportions.

Excellent post. Thank you for sharing.

dj1212 it definitely doesn't suck. Even has a waterfall too! I wish I could break the 12" mark....even 12 1/16" would do so I could have a replica made for above my fireplace.

Here's some slabs

Those are some nice 'Gills. When I was in North Carolina there was a small pond right in the middle of the impact zone for artillary. On non-firing days I'd slip out there for lunch and catch some dinner plate size 'Gills. Had to watch out for sink holes and cotton mouths, but the blue gill fishing was fantastic.

Wow! Those are huge blue gill! They would be a blast to catch.

Thanks for sharing the pics.

REE your post took me back to a memory from years ago... and old Frat brother alum had a pond on his property outside Durham NC.... first fish I ever caught on a fly rod was a giant blue gill... wish I had pictures. Was largest bream I"ve ever caught and will never forget that little pond. He loaned us his rod and flies to be able to fish the pond and kept it exclusive to frat brothers...thanks for the memory