Winter picture. The N. Fork is in the forground, and the Gunnison is coming in from the top of the pic.
You can hike up river on either side for about 4 miles. Most of the river looks like this. No trees and desert landscapes, with red canyon walls closing in on you the further you go up river. About 3 miles in the rock turns black, hence the name, "Black Canyon". This is a quarter mile into the canyon looking back at Pleasure Park.
I may have mentioned it before, but this is the stretch of river I cut my teeth on Soft Hackles. I wont bore you with the details of how I learned, but I will say that a Sylvester Nemes book (cant remember the name) explained to me why I had such good results, and allowed me to hone my skills with the Soft Hackles, and Flymphs.
Anyway,,,,, The success I had with the Hot Butt prompted me to tie a few more. I whipped out another half dozen and they were secure in my flybox when I remembered I hadnt shared the pattern with this forum. I'd say pardon the picture as the fly is for fishing, but,,,, I like everyone here, but I would rather impress my neighborhood fish.
Hot Butt PT
Hook - Mustad 9671 size 14
Thread - UTC70 Fl. Orange
Tail - 4 Pheasant Tail barbules
Butt- UTC70 Fl. Orange
Rib _ Copper Wire Xsmall
Abdomen - Pheasant tail
Thorax - Hares Ear slightly teased out
Collar - Dark Hen Furnace Hackle
Tomorrow I will fish upstream using this pattern, The Blue Dun Flymphs of Dougsdons, and the Beastie, also by Dougsdon. I will start at sunup and fish till about noon. The caddis are still making an appearance as the temps have been mild and getting up into the high 60's. This is a stretch of river that can produce alot of fish, and I am sure what I have to offer will tempt quite a few.
Warning: If you are a Flymph purist, read no further.
On the way back to my truck (down stream), I am going to strip size 4 Black Woolly Buggers!
). In a word...PERFECTION! Wonderful proportions, and the head is perfect. Wow...