Bird's Carey

[UC Steve]

Though this pattern is extremely popular for fishing B.C. lakes & that popularity shading into Alberta, Montana, Idaho, Washington & Oregon, I've not heard reports of its use in other regions. All trout lakes harbor dragonfly nymphs. (Thanks for the witness Old Hat.) If anybody in the East or elsewhere tries this one on the local pond, please share a report, in the spirit of Carey's original mission, I'd be interested to know how it works for you.

[DOUGSDEN]

Dear UC Steve,
Excellent words you have written about the history (that's my favorite part of this fine sport) of the Bird's Carey and the Carey Special. The pattern you have posted is just fantastic! It otter be illegal! You know, this forces me to add this pattern to an already overstuffed list of patterns to try this winter. I am excited about it!
I do have some good news to report to you about the Carey Special (at least my version of it) in my neck of the woods. I throw this pattern around rather regularly for Smallmouth Bass and it works! I tie them rather large in size 4 and size 6 and I wind a fair amt. of lead around the hook shank to get them to the bottom quickly. I am never quite sure exactly what the bass take this pattern for perhaps a helgramite (Dobson fly larva) which are rather common in my waters but I think moreover they take if for a fair representation of a crawdad. Maybe they view it as just something that looks good to eat! In any case, it is great medicine for Smallmouth where ever they be!
I am looking forward to more histories and tutorials from you. This one is quite interesting!
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family,
Dougsden

[UC Steve]

Hey Doug, thanks for the great comment & report. O yes! All those things you say! I tie it as a depthcharge as well, & in #2-#4 TMC 200R for smallmouth. The version I posted is my favorite smallmouth fly btw, & I've no doubt it gets taken for a craw. True workhorse bait.

I'll spin an anecdote now & then. Though the history archived in this place is priceless.

And best to you & yours.

-your compatriot-

[Kelly L.]

When I was very new at tying flies, the Carey Special, and anything like it was very attractive to me. This fly is beautifully done. I can't imagine fishing not liking this fly. It has all the signs of being in the killer category to me.

[swellcat]

Bookmarked . . . because it's so appealing.

[UC Steve]

Swellcat, is this a hint?...

Okay, but let me post a just few more hairwings.

I really should re-foto that Carey...

~Steve

[swellcat]

Swellcat, is this a hint?

Not in the least. (However, when in doubt or unambiguously heretical, the Cabin is your friend). Carey variants—even poorly tied—enticed several largemouth bass on the last outing, and your hairwings look like good outlets for abundant fox squirrel found in my pecan tree each Autumn.
_____

[UC Steve]

Swellcat, having never fished other than a poorly tied Carey myself, we can only imagine what a nice one might do. I did catch my best smallie of the season on this very pattern, though. Funny, lots of reports of good bass fishing with this. Colonel Carey is probably rolling over in his grave.

[hankaye]

UC Steve, Howdy;

Swellcat, is this a hint?

Not in the least. (However, when in doubt or unambiguously heretical, the Cabin is your friend). Carey variants—even poorly tied—enticed several largemouth bass on the last outing, and your hairwings look like good outlets for abundant fox squirrel found in my pecan tree each Autumn.
_____

I think that what swellcat may have been referring to (between the parenthesis), is a long ago thread that discussed the posting of winged flies upon
this forum for wingless files.
Don't know if you know or remember Marl Libertone. He was the founder and the primary guiding influence that has made this such a nice little niche
among the masses of fly tying forums.
Mark's thoughts about posting winged flies are expressed in the third post from the top of the first page.
http://flymphforum.com/viewtopic.php?f= ... lies#p7280
Basically, what I'm trying to say in a nice way is generally accepted policy has been wets are for the most part posted and talked about in the Cabin.

hank

[UC Steve]

Hank, you are right. And the sub-title says it all. If one be woodshedding then The Cabin seems most appropriate. You are kind. While I'm on a run, I'll continue to post hairwing specimens in the Soft~Hackle Journal, for those interested.

As I am enamored of his ideas on fly design, I would like to have known Mark Libertone. A good friend & co-conspirator of Mark's, Paul Bruun, contacted me today to let me know he is enjoying the hairwing posts, as he has been developing the style as well. His note was both humbling & encouraging.

~Steve