Smelts

[nfrechet]

Champlain Jane

Charlie Mann

Hook - Mustad 94720
Thread - Red
Underbody - Red body braid
Body - Pearl braided mylar tubing
Tail - Pearl braided mylar tubing tag picked out
Throat - Pearl braided mylar tubing picked out
Wing - Purple or violet bucktail
Topping - Peacock herl
Head - Red

Years ago while tying flies at a trade show Charlie was approached by a Vermont guide who took clients fishing on Lake Champlain. He gave Charlie a pinkish colored streamer pattern he had called a Booker Special. Charlie modified the pattern and christened it the Champlain Jane in recognition of the Vermont guide. The streamer has been quite a fish getter over the years and has found more than a few kypes on the Miramichi River when tied on a salmon hook



Memphremagog Smelt

Henry McGowan

Hook - Mustad 94720
Thread - White
Ribbing - Flat silver tinsel
Body - Orange silk floss
Belly - White bucktail
Throat - Red hackle fibers
Wing - Yellow bucktail under purple bucktail
Topping - 3-4 peacock herl
Cheek - Patridge back feather
Head - Black

Straddling the boarder of Quebec and Vermont, Lake Memphremagog has a healthy population of smelts which are preyed upon by landlocked salmon, bass, trout and other apex predators. Trolling the streamer is a common method of fishing the deeper waters. McGowan declared that “Any damn fool can do … dragging a sliver of tin through deep water on a metal line for rainbows, lakers and such”. McGowan was a Memphremagog guide and developed the streamer around 1930.



Tebby Smelt

Robert Tebby

Hook - Mustad 94720
Thread - Black
Tip - Embossed silver tinsel
Ribbing - Embossed silver tinsel
Body - Orange wool
Belly - White bucktail
Throat - Red hackle fibers
Wing - Yellow, pink, purple bucktail layered or mixed
Cheek - Jungle cock
Topping - Peacock herl
Eyes - Painted black over white

It was in 1965 that Robert Tebby, from Omerville in the suburbs of Magog, created this artificial to lure landlocked salmon and brook trout at the entrance to one of the tributaries of Lake Memphremagog. Even today, this imitation of a smelt is most productive in this body of water as well as in many others in the province, even if this forage fish does not live there. The almost irresistible appeal of this streamer would be explained by its aspect both imitative and attractive.

[Ron Eagle Elk]

Ooooooh, those are niiiice, Norm. Smelts are a popular fly here, both trolling and casting. Landlock salmon eat them readily. Thanks for posting these.

[RickA]

Those are outstanding, Norm.
Well done!

[nfrechet]

thank guys

[nfrechet]

J R Cisco

Hook - Mustad 94720
Thread - White
Under body - White wooly nylon (uni stretch)
Body - Silver piping or substitute body braid
Throat - Orange marabou
Wing - Purple bucktail over purple krystal flash over white bucktail
Painted eye - Black over yellow

[Mike62]

Ooooooh, those are niiiice, Norm. Smelts are a popular fly here, both trolling and casting. Landlock salmon eat them readily. Thanks for posting these.

Everybody eats smelt! Before they crashed, the Fish River chain lakes produced some of the most monstrous smelt runs ever. Long Lake still has a decent population. Back in the 80's we used to dip smelt out of St.Froid and it wasn't uncommon to dip smelt up to 11". Squa Pan was another producer of huge smelt. We never even bothered cleaning them; a tempura bath and straight into the oil, bones and all. Wash it all down with the beer of the day (back then it was probably Carling Black Label or PBR). Sadly, those days are gone. Smelt still run up here, though they've been reduced significantly. Smelt patterns are the rule, and they work!

...well, I mean, I miss the big smelt but not the Carling Black Label.