Author Archives: wellerfish

Go2 Caddis Pupa – 12/21/2024

Go2 Caddis Pupa 12/21/2024 Photo Album

The go2 caddis pupa is a favorite offering for me during the spring grannom hatch. The grannom hatch is famous on the Arkansas River, but I have also encountered it on other Colorado rivers during the pre-runoff time frame.

New Go2 Caddis Pupa

Check out my post of 11/20/2022 for a bit more information on this fly, or click on the link on that post to drill further into my experience with this fly. I love the substitution of the bright chartreuse diamond rib material for the body of this fly.

Three Go2 Caddis Pupa Added to Iinventory

For some reason I did not lose many of these flies in 2024, so I produced only three new ones for my fly boxes. I kept one to increase my supply to a multiple of five, and I made two additional flies for Ben, the young angler that I mentored during the summer of 2024.

Psycho Prince – 12/18/2024

Psycho Prince 12/18/2024 Photo Album

Was it the name or appearance? If a prince nymph is an effective fly, why wouldn’t a psycho prince be an even more dynamic fish magnet? I decided to tie some and test the allure of this flashy subsurface fly.

Not Bad for an Early Attempt

I found a YouTube tying video and collected the requisite materials. Various body material combinations were suggested, but I settled on purple. Brown and white goose biot wings were carryovers from the prince nymph. I used copper wire for ribbing, as detailed in the fly recipe that I followed, and brown ice dubbing was used for the collar behind the bead. I deviated from the prescribed pattern in four ways. For the abdomen, I did not possess purple ice dub, so I substituted a fine purple synthetic material. The YouTube video utilized six strands of pheasant tail fibers for the covering over the abdomen. I felt that material was too fragile, so I replaced it with a strand of pearl flashabou over a strip of flashback black, and I coated this overlay with UV resin, before I completed the forward part of the fly. My third modification was the usage of white antron for the wing stub at the back of the thorax area. For a fourth modification I wrapped a strip of weighting material around the hook in the thorax area as a foundation.

Fly ComponentMaterial
HookTiemco 5262, 12 & 14
BeadGold sized to fit 12 & 14 hook
ThreadBlack 6/0
TailBrown goose biots split
RibFine copper wire
Abdomen overlayerPearl flashabou, Flashback black
AbdomenFine purple dubbing
Wing stubWhite antron
Rear collarFine purple dubbing
Side appendagesWhite Goose biot tips
Forward collarBrown ice dub

A Batch of Five

Since this fly is at an experimental stage with me, I only tied five prototypes. Three were size 12 and two were size 14. These flies went into my active fleece wallet immediately. I plan to tie one to my line instead of a prince nymph at my first opportunity.

 

 

 

 

Prince Nymph – 12/17/2024

Prince Nymph 12/17/2024 Photo Album

For a brief rundown on the prince nymph and a link to prior year posts, please click on 11/19/2022. The prince nymph is always among the top five nymphs cited as necessary flies to maintain in one’s fly box, and I agree with that assessment.

Small Version

I always carry an adequate quantity of sizes 12 and 14 in my fleece wallet. I also weight these flies with non-toxic wire, and I tie with a bead. This fly sinks, and I frequently deploy it as the top subsurface fly in a dry/dropper arrangement, thus, assuring deep drifts. Quite often the fish demonstrate a preference for the weighted nymph over the smaller end fly.

Size 12

My count suggested that I needed four prince nymphs of each size, so I applied my talents to the vise and produced that quantity. Three of the smaller nymphs were derived from old prince nymphs that outlived their usefulness.

A Batch of Eight Awaiting Storage

 

20 Incher – 12/13/2024

20 Incher 12/13/2024 Photo Album

I have little new information to offer on the classic 20 incher. Check out this link to last year’s post for more insight.

Classic 20 Incher

The 20 incher continues to be a stalwart offering among my collection of nymphs. The stonefly imitation represents a large fly on a heavy wire with added weight. When I sense that my flies are not getting deep enough in a dry/dropper configuration, the 20 incher is often the answer. It is a fine fish attractor in addition to providing ballast for deeper drifts.

I cycled through several materials for the wing case, but I settled on turkey quill segments for the time being. They are more fragile than Tyvek, but when topped with UV resin, I like the natural look.

Additions to Inventory and Materials Required

I counted my stock and determined that I needed five additional to bring my total to a nice round number going into 2025. I produced five size 12’s, and I am ready for some early season stonefly nymph action.

Salvation Nymph – 12/10/2024

Salvation Nymph 12/10/2024 Photo Album

Of all my flies, the salvation nymph is number one. That says a lot. I really do not have much to add regarding this workhorse nymph. Over the past several years I added the step of applying UV resin to the wing case and the flashback over the abdomen. This enhances the flash of this fly even more. The pearl flashabou strand, the shiny flashback black material, the silver holographic ice dub, and the black peacock ice dub provide flash over every millimeter of this fly, and the fish seem to love it. Feel free to check out my posts from prior years for more information, and you can start with this link to 11/25/2023. It contains a link as well, and you can work backward.

A Model of Flash

As one might expect, given the significant number of hours that this fly resides on my line, I lost quite a few during the past season. I knuckled down at the vise and produced another twenty-six to increase my inventory to one hundred for the start of the new season. One hundred is obviously way more than I need, but I suspect that something will arise in future years that prevents me from tying, so why not possess a safety stock?

Twenty-Six Ready for Action

My previous post with the link above provides some information on how to find tying instructions or how to search for them in case you wish to purchase. Bring on the 2025 salvation chomping trout.

Ultra Zug Bug – 12/10/2024

Ultra Zug Bug 12/10/2024 Photo Album

This simple yet effective fly was designed by Scott Sanchez. I found it in one of his fly tying books, and it has proven fairly effective in the subsequent years. To learn more about this fly click on this link to last year’s post, and that in turn provides a link to earlier posts.

One More Ultra Zug Bug

This fly offers several advantages. First, it is very simple and can be tied quickly. Aside from the bead and hook, it only utilizes three materials; fibers from the body feather of a game bird for the tail, synthetic peacock dubbing (I use Ligas), and a strand of crystal flash for the ribbing. Of course you can substitute different dubbings, should you wish to vary the color of the fly.

One Bug Plus Materials

My supply was barely depleted, when I counted my UZB’s, so I tied one additional fly to increase my inventory to my target level. I found one in my damaged fly container that was unraveling, so I salvaged it for my one add on.

Hares Ear Nymph – 11/27/2024

Hares Ear Nymph 11/27/2024 Photo Album

The beadhead hares ear nymph has perhaps accounted for more fish than any other fly in my arsenal. I deployed it often during 2024, and I was not disappointed. Here is a link to my post regarding this workhorse fly in 2023. I have very little new information to offer other than a salute to its continued productivity.

Scraggly the Way I Like Them

As mentioned in last year’s post, I adopted the practice of applying UV resin to the wing case and the top of the thread wraps. I feel that this step adds a bit of weight, provides added strength, and I love the appearance.

Necessary Materials and Completed Batch

During my September trip to the Flattops I scavenged some grouse body feathers, and I used these to fashion the tails and legs of my newly tied hares ear nymphs. I had seven damaged versions in my canister, so I refurbished them first, and then I tied an additional ten to bring my fly boxes back to my targeted level of one hundred. I am certain that the beadhead hares ear nymph will once again be a top producer among my stock of flies.

Zoomed on the Completed Clump

 

South Platte River – 11/15/2024

Time: 12:00PM – 4:00PM

Location: Cheesman Canyon

South Platte River 11/15/2024 Photo Album

The 2024 fishing season had all but ended for me. Or so I thought. My last outing on South Boulder Creek on October 28 felt like the finale. But when my friend Nate texted about plans for November 15-17, my curiosity got the better of me. A quick check of the weather showed temperatures in the low fifties—mild enough for one more adventure. Nate’s suggestion of Cheesman Canyon sealed the deal, as he’d found decent success there just two weeks prior.

The Road to Cheesman

We met early Friday morning at a park-and-ride and carpooled to the South Platte River. Nate recounted his recent hike into Cheesman Canyon via the upper trail. I had tried a route to the upper canyon years ago and remembered it as steep and challenging. Still, I decided to give it another shot.

The drive itself turned out to be an adventure. As we wound our way up the steep dirt road to Cheesman Reservoir, a large tow truck with a flatbed trailer loomed ahead. Passing it was nerve-wracking; I had to back down 200 yards of narrow road with a rock wall on one side and a steep drop on the other. We finally squeezed into a wide spot, holding our breath as the truck inched past. Crisis averted!

When we reached the trailhead, it became clear that the roads and access points had changed since my last visit. A locked gate barred the road I remembered, forcing us to use the trail Nate had recently hiked. A chance encounter with another angler, Dale, and his companions confirmed that confusion about the logistics was widespread.

The Hike In

At the trailhead, the air temperature hovered in the upper forties. I layered up with my North Face light down jacket, stuffed a fleece hoodie into my backpack, and set up my Sage One five-weight rod. Nate and I began the steep 2.1-mile hike, tackling switchbacks, loose gravel, and even patches of snow and ice. The final descent into the canyon was precarious, requiring careful navigation around large boulders.

Cheesman Reservoir

Once we reached the river, we scrambled along its edge for another 0.3 miles to a sunny spot. Here, we paused for lunch and prepared for our first casts of the day.

This View of the Dam Provides a Sense of the Steepness of the Canyon

A Tough Start

I started with a three-fly setup: a peacock hippie stomper, a beadhead pheasant tail nymph, and an orange scud. Despite my best efforts, the fish weren’t interested. After losing all three flies to a snag, I re-rigged with a mini Chubby Chernobyl and trailed an emerald caddis pupa and a sparkle wing RS2. The emerald caddis pupa was in response to a caddis adult that landed on Nate’s sleeve. Still no luck.

Conditions in the Canyon

The early afternoon proved frustrating, with only a few half-hearted refusals to my flies. Nate fared no better. Around 2:30 PM, we noticed a few sporadic rises near exposed rocks. Hoping to capitalize on the activity, I switched to a double-dry setup: a tan mini Chubby Chernobyl paired with a size 16 deer hair caddis.

The Reward

By 3:00 PM, we reached a promising run that spilled into a deep pool. Nate fished the tail, while I focused on the faster water at the top. On my fifth cast, a swirl beneath my trailing caddis signaled a take. I set the hook, and a flash of crimson confirmed I had a solid rainbow trout on the line.

Site of the Only Catch of the Day

The fight was thrilling but brief, and Nate assisted with the net. This fish was a stunner—a vibrant rainbow with a broad red stripe, measuring an estimated 17 inches. As I struggled to remove the fly, the trout made a final leap, escaping the net, before we could snap a photo. Thankfully, Nate witnessed its size and beauty.

Wrapping Up

The rest of the afternoon yielded no additional action. Nate experimented with a streamer, but the fish remained elusive. By 4:00 PM, shadows covered the river, and the dropping temperature signaled it was time to leave.

Looking Back After Early Ascent

The hike out was grueling, requiring a steep climb over icy, loose terrain. By the time we reached the trailhead, we were exhausted but grateful for the experience.

Reflections

While the fishing itself was slow, the day felt like an adventure—a test of endurance and a celebration of the wild beauty of Cheesman Canyon. Nate’s luck didn’t hold, but I was thankful to avoid a skunking with one memorable rainbow trout. At my age, completing such a challenging hike without injury or equipment failure felt like a victory.

Whether this was my final outing of 2024 remains to be seen. The weather will decide, but for now, I’m content to reflect on this unforgettable day.

Fish Landed: 1

 

 

Mini Chubby Chernobyl – 11/08/2024

Mini Chubby Chernobyl 11/08/2021 Photo Album

Several fly tiers that I follow posted images of mini chubbys, and I was intrigued by the idea of a smaller-sized foam fly for instances, where the fish were refusing my larger hopper patterns. I remembered this thought, and toward the end of my 2024 fly tying season, I churned out five mini chubbys with a beige body and light tan foam.

These flies remained forgotten in my fly box until the afternoon of 08/19/2024 on Cascade Creek. I was experiencing a fairly slow day on a creek that was new to me, and for some reason I knotted one of the mini chubbys to my line. Imagine my surprise, when the size twelve chubby with a single wing began to induce aggressive takes from gorgeous stream bred rainbow trout. It was not a fluke, as trout emerged from nearly every prime location to attack the fly.

Model Fly

I visited the same stream a second time toward the end of September, and although the success rate was not as great as the August afternoon, the action was decent and convinced me to tie some mini chubbys during my fall and winter fly tying sessions.

Left Side

The past several days fulfilled my commitment, and I churned out twenty size 12 mini chubby’s for the upcoming season. Nearly all my success occurred on Cascade Creek, so I am quite anxious to determine whether the fly can produce on other western rivers and streams.

If the results replicate 2024 on Cascade Creek, the mini chubby will be a nice addition to my arsenal. It should support a pair of size 14 nymphs, as it contains slightly more surface mass than a hippie stomper. Another favorable factor is tying time. I can crank these flies out faster than I can produce a hippie stomper. I do not view these as a replacement to the hippie stomper, but rather a productive complement.

Twenty Complete

When I researched tying instructions, I noticed that some patterns utilized two sets of legs, and some limited leg attachment to the front next to the wing. I opted for the single set of legs. Fifteen of the mini chubbys were made with light tan dubbing, and I applied light gray dubbing to the other five.

I am very excited to continue the mini chubby experiment in 2025.

Hippie Stomper – 11/02/2024

Hippie Stomper 11/02/2024 Photo Album

The hippie stomper has secured a spot as one of my top producing flies if not number one. The beauty of this fly is its versatility. I tie only size 14’s on a 2XL hook, and this creates a relatively small foam body fly. Perhaps I should experiment with more sizes and colors, but my success rate with my narrow offering makes me question how much improvement I could gain.

My versatility comment stems from the fly’s buoyancy and size. The foam structure allows the fly to float quite well, and this translates to supporting two size 14 beadhead nymphs. Unlike larger hopper patterns, however, the hippie stomper is lighter and thus yields a softer landing in low and clear conditions. When fish refuse my size eight hoppers and chubby Chernobyls, I resort to the hippie stomper, and quite often the downsizing pays dividends.

The Beginning of My Tying List and Inventory Count

If I wish to go with a dry fly presentation, the hippie stomper is very productive solo or as the lead fly on a double dry arrangement. During the past season I experienced many fine days using the hippie stomper as the first fly along with a more imitative fly behind it such as a deer hair caddis or comparadun. The hippie stomper is very visible, and this makes tracking the typically drab trailer much easier.

As a solo fly, it is also no slouch. I believe that it imitates terrestrials and green drakes as well as other fish food morsels. It just looks buggy. If I haven’t convinced you of the versatility of this fly, I am not sure what else I have to say. This fly probably spent more time on my line than any other in my box including the dependable hares ear nymph and salvation nymph.

The Hippie Stomper Look

I settled on peacock and dark olive ice dub, as my preferred body colors on the hippie stompers that I tie. The body is only visible under the overlying foam at the back of the abdomen, so I am not convinced that color makes a huge difference. The creator, Andrew Grillos, favors various colors of flashabou, a tinsel like product. I have some reds, a silver, a blue, purples and bright green tied with the flash, but I rarely resort to them.

During September I was losing hippie stompers at an alarming rate, so I inspected my damaged fly canister and discovered, that I had five in need of repair. I fixed them by replacing legs and reinforcing unraveling thread, and I ended the season with plenty in reserve.

Twenty Completed and the Necessary Materials

Because of my inventory scare, I decided to make the hippie stomper my first tie of the 2024 tying season. I counted my supply and discovered that I had 25, so I suppose my concern was over done. I checked my tying checklist from the previous year, and I began the season with forty. Since five of the 25 counted were refurbished, simple math revealed that I lost twenty flies or half my beginning inventory. I collected all the necessary materials and tied an additional twenty to bring my 2025 beginning inventory to 45. Hopefully this will suffice, although I am certain that hippie stomper usage will once again increase in the new year.