Monthly Archives: January 2025

Harrop Hairwing Green Drake – 01/31/2025

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Harrop Hairwing Green Drake 01/31/2025 Photo Album

It appears that I have not tied Harrop green drakes in quite awhile, as my last post was on 04/13/2018, and that is very late in my annual fly tying cycle. My post of 12/29/2015 provides the story of my introduction to this productive fly. My lack of more recent posts suggests that I have not used the hair wing extensively in recent years, or perhaps I posted under a different name that avoids my search string.

Size 14

The hair wing version of the green drake is very similar to the comparadun from a color perspective; however, it possesses the unique characteristics of hackle and a swept back deer hair wing. The hardest aspect of tying the fly is positioning the angled deer hair as the last step and preventing it from rolling around the hook or sliding into the hook eye.

Size 12 Hovering

This fly is usually my third option during green drake emergences; however, on occasion I knot it to my line as a prospecting pattern, as it resembles a stimulator. I had quite a bit of success prospecting this fly during July on the upper Arkansas River during gray drake activity.

Batch of Six with Materials

My count revealed that I was running low on both size twelves and fourteens, so I cranked out four fourteens and two twelves. Hopefully these flies will see some action during 2025.

Green Drake Comparadun – 01/27/2025

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Green Drake Comparadun 01/27/2025 Photo Album

My second most used type of green drake imitation is the comparadun style. My post of 02/06/2024 contains more information on this fly as well as a link to previous posts. I always choose the parachute green drake as my first offering during green drake hatch time periods, but as I mentioned in my recent 01/27/2025 post, sometimes the parachute loses effectiveness, and when this happens, I switch to a comparadun. My theory is that midway through the hatch, the trout tune in to the large fluttering wing of the western green drakes, and the high fan shaped wing of the comparadun matches that triggering characteristic.

Size 14 Comparadun

I used to tie the comparaduns with splayed microfibbets for the tail, but these flies tended to sink after a while. The split microfibbets were not enough to help support the large size 14 or 12 body. Recently I converted to moose mane tails, and these seem to do a much better job of keeping the green drake comparadun afloat. Visibility is another issue with the comparadun, as the dark wing and body blend with the stream, and it takes quite a bit of concentration to track the fly. Not being able to see ones fly is a major impediment to catching fish. I may experiment with double green drake configurations this summer, with the parachute version and its visible white tipped wing leading the way followed by the dark and sinister comparadun. I’m surprised I never tried this before.

Size 12 Comparadun

I counted my supply of comparaduns in size 14 and 12, and I decided to make an additional seven fourteens and three twelves. I already have a decent supply of microfibbet versions, but these will be relegated to back up duty, while I build my supply of moose mane tail flies.

Fresh Batch and Materials

 

 

Parachute Green Drake – 01/27/2025

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Parachute Green Drake 01/27/2025 Photo Album

Read my post from 02/05/2024 for a description of my love affair with western green drakes. Who does not like fishing to a large mayfly that emerges consistently on western rivers during the summer and mostly in the middle of the day? The trick is finding them. I have had pretty decent success targeting them on tailwaters, but the task of meeting them on freestones is a much more variable proposition.

My premier classroom for observing and learning about the habits of western green drakes is on South Boulder Creek. Emergences are fairly reliable from the beginning of August through the middle of September. Over the years I have developed a menu of four green drake dry flies for instances, where I encounter them. The parachute green drake is consistently the top producer, although I have learned that it shines during the pre-hatch time period and during the early stages of the emergence. Why? Are fish mistaking it for a spinner or is the low position of the body in the surface film representative of emerging mayflies?

Size 14 Parachute Green Drake

When I notice the flies fluttering during their clumsy efforts to get airborne, the effectiveness of the parachute green drake tends to wane. A switch to a comparadun or Harrop hair wing generally produces more favorable results, and this explains why I tie and carry so many types of green drakes dry flies.

Size 12 Angled Left

I went through a phase, where I tied green drakes with microfibbet tails and turkey flat wings, but I have now settled on moose mane tails and a white poly wing. The things that remain constant are the Ligas pale olive body with a maroon thread rib and the olive grizzly saddle for the parachute hackle. I have also discovered that the fly fishes better with a slightly over sized wing that equals a bit more than the shank length. I suspect the moose main tail is more visible than microfibbets, and a small clump is more effective in supporting the large fly.

Materials Needed to Tie Parachute Green Drakes and a Batch of New Green Drakes

I counted my supply of size 12 and 14 parachute green drakes with poly wings and moose mane tails, and I determined that I needed to tie six additional size 14’s and three more size 12’s. I also own a decent supply of parachutes with turkey flat wings, but they are relegated to the bottom of the pile. Unfortunately I need to wait until July to test the effectiveness of these flies.

Chubby Chernobyl – 01/24/2025

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Chubby Chernobyl 01/24/2025 Photo Album

My post of 02/03/2024 provides additional information on the chubby Chernobyl, and it also carries a link to an earlier post. Chubbys have become all the rage over recent years, and as a late adoptee, I must admit that they are very effective. Watching the large wing suck under when a trout grabs a trailing nymph is very seductive.

Large Wings

These flies float well, and they bring trout to the surface for an inspection and eat more often than one might imagine. I like the instructional video by tightlinevideo, Tim Flagler. He presents some tips that seem minor, but in the end, ease the task of tying these monstrosities. Last winter I experimented with some mini chubbys, and I had decent success with them on one particular stream, so I learned that they do not necessarily need to be a large fly.

Tan Body

My favorite color for the body is ice dub tan, and I use a tan foam strip for the overbody. I counted an adequate supply of ice dub tan chubbys, but my stock of other colors was rather minimal, so I produced two with gray bodies and one with a tan body. Tan works quite well with the mini cubbys, so I decided to give them a try in size 8.

Three New Chubbys

Chubby season is around the corner, and I feel properly armed with chubby Chernobyls for the new season.

Fat Albert – 01/19/2025

Fat Albert 01/19/2025 Photo Album

My post of 02/03/2024 is brief, but it provides a link to the previous year, and you can continue reversing time, if you are interested. I was introduced to this fly on a trip to Argentina, and it has become a mainstay ever since. It is large and readily visible and very buoyant, so it sees a lot of time on my line as the surface attractor in a dry/dropper rig.

New One

Aside from serving as an indicator, it catches its share of hungry trout along the way. For some reason I tie only fat Alberts with yellow bodies, but I always wonder how gray and tan would perform. The instructional video that I follow suggests building the body color by covering the foam underbody with flattened thread. This is too much thread wrapping for me, so I substitute some yellow floss, and I can cover the surface area much more efficiently.

Cluster of Fat Alberts

When I counted my holdings of fat Alberts, I discovered that I needed six additional flies to build my inventory to my target level. I found four in my damaged canister with missing legs, so I added a replacement leg and then produced two fresh versions made from scratch. I feel adequately prepared for tossing big fat Alberts in 2025.

Pool Toy Hopper – 01/18/2025

Pool Toy Hopper 01/18/2025 Photo Album

There are a vast number of hopper patterns to choose from out there, and I am certain that there are some that outperform the pool toy hopper. I first became acquainted with this fly, when I asked a fishing guide that I respected what his favorite hopper pattern was. He replied pool toy hopper, and I tied some and have stuck with them for many years. They are very buoyant, and they are visible, and they serve the dual purpose of catching fish and supporting nymphs in a dry/dropper set up.

Nice Look

In the early years of tying this fly, I produced various body colors, but I have since concluded that body color is not that important; and, thus, all my pool toy hoppers are size eight with a light tan or beige body. They seem to work. I have a lingering supply of yellow, and then some pinks and grays. Perhaps I should experiment with other colors, but why mess with success?

My last post was on 01/27/2024, so you may want to check that out. It has a link to earlier posts, and you can trace these links back for quite a few years.

Cluster of Eight

Andrew Grillos is the creator of this fly along with the hippie stomper, and I cannot contemplate fly fishing without the benefit of these two masterpieces of foam. I counted my holdings of pool toy hoppers and discovered quite a bit of shrinkage, and I can certainly attest to losing many of these hoppers to trees and bushes. In order to restore my inventory to my optimal stocking level, I tied eight additional models in tan. I refurbished two that were missing legs on one side, and then I applied my skills to the vise and cranked out another six.

Hopefully the pool toy hopper continues to provide many days of entertainment on trout streams this summer.

Chernobyl Ant – 01/17/2025

Chernobyl Ant 01/17/2025 Photo Album 

Follow this link for my previous post on the Chernobyl ant. My post of 01/15/2020 contains a materials table. I first started tying this fly after some phenomenal fishing on the Green River with a guide. Bank hugging brown trout crushed the low floating foam attractor in all three sections. My version of the Chernobyl ant copies the very effective fly that my guide introduced me to many years ago.

In the intervening years “imrovements” and variations have been many, including a Chernobyl ant with a double foam body and the ever-present chubby Chernobyl. I tie and own quite a few chubby Chernobyls, and I must admit that the high wing makes them much more visible in fast water and low light scenarios. Nevertheless, I still carry a decent supply of classic Chernobyl ants tied in the same manner as those that my guide placed on my line many years ago.

Ready For Action

When does the classic Chernobyl ant earn its keep in my fly box? Primarily on small narrow high mountain streams that are lined with dense vegetation and overhanging tree limbs. A classic Chernobyl ant is all foam with a synthetic chenille body. This fly repels water, and it shines in close quarters, because back casts for drying the fly are unnecessary, and in fact they are a detriment to success. I can dap and bow and arrow cast this fly, and it floats like a cork, and this is a huge advantage in the tight quarters that typically dominate narrow high mountain creeks.

A Few Materials Required

I counted my inventory of size 10 and size 8 Chernobyl ants, and I learned that my stock was more than adequate for another season. However, in order to stay in practice, I tied one size 10 and added it to my fly box. I am certain to use the old fashioned Chernobyl ant during 2025.

San Juan Worm – 01/14/2025

San Juan Worm 01/14/2025 Photo Album

If you are squeamish about worms, you will not want to read my post of 02/15/2016. If, on the other hand, you are fond of slimy earthworms and nightcrawlers. you might enjoy my walk down memory lane as described in that post. I know I certainly did.  When I searched my blog on San Juan worms, the 02/15/2016 post was the only one that appeared. Could it be that long, since I tied San Juan worms?

At any rate, my usage of the worm has dwindled over recent years. I’m not sure why. It is most effective during high murky conditions, and I try to avoid those scenarios, so that may be the reason. I do recall a relatively recent outing on the South Platte River in Eleven Mile, when the river was a bit high and discolored, and I landed a few fish on the San Juan worm.

Lots of San Juan Worms

I decided to review my supply of San Juan’s of the various colors, and I counted at least ten of my most popular shades, so I decided to pass on tying more. I can knock then out in a matter of five minutes, so the time saving result of my decision to skip tying them was minimal. I took a picture of the section of my boat box that is loaded with various San Juan worms. My favorite colors are flesh, pink, chocolate, red and tan. Perhaps 2025 will be the year, when I stumble into a situation, where the San Juan worm is a must have fly.

Jake’s Gulp Beetle – 01/14/2025

Jake’s Gulp Beetle 01/14/2025 Photo Album

For more information on Jake’s gulp beetle please click on this link to my previous post. For step by step tying directions use this link to 10/22/2015. This terrestrial is very easy to tie.

Angled Look at a size 14

For some reason I abandoned Jake’s gulp beetle over recent years. I suspect lack of line time resulted from me favoring other smaller terrestrials that are easier to track such as the hippie stomper. Nevertheless, beetles are a favorite food source for trout, and I would not want to be without them.

Materials and Two Beetles

I counted my beetle supply and discovered that I maintained adequate quantities; however, I tied two more to reinforce my ability to tie this simple fly. I am ready for wind blown beetles in 2025.

 

Mini Leech – 01/14/2025

Mini Leech 01/14/2025 Photo Album

My post of 01/08/2023 provides additional useful information about the mini leech. This fly is another that I should grab more often, particularly when I attack stillwaters during the peak runoff time frame. The undulating action of the pine squirrel wing seems way too tantalizing for trout to ignore.

Beadless Mini Leech

Because I chose this fly infrequently, I suffered little in the way of losses. When I counted my supply of black with and without a bead and olive without a bead, I determined that I possessed adequate quantities of all types. I tied two more blacks with no bead. The olive can serve as a reasonable representation of a damsel fly nymph, and I need to keep that in mind as well during June lake fishing ventures.

Materials and Two More