Tiny Baetis mayflies are perhaps the most commonly encountered and imitated by anglers on all American trout streams due to their great abundance, widespread distribution, and trout-friendly emergence habits.
This one seems to lead to Couplet 35 of the Key to Genera of Perlodidae Nymphs and the genus Isoperla, but I'm skeptical that's correct based on the general look. I need to get it under the microscope to review several choices in the key, and it'll probably end up a different Perlodidae.
FisherOfMen on Feb 15, 2012February 15th, 2012, 4:51 pm EST
Hey guys I just tied this wacky streamer, testing out some of my new grouse "marabou". What do you think? There's two grizzly hackles in the back so there's a froggy look, at least there was supposed to be, and all that marabou-type grouse down is amazing! The slightest breeze and it goes rippling away. I have a feeling this fly might hook a few bass this summer.
I call it...
The JAILBIRD
"Nothing makes a fish bigger than almost being caught." -Author Unknown
All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing. -Edmund Burke
Entoman on Feb 15, 2012February 15th, 2012, 5:05 pm EST
Very nice, Nick. An interesting design feature is the hackle collar you've given it. The style is very popular in CA and OR for stillwater use. Want to hazard a guess why?
"It's not that I find fishing so important, it's just that I find all other endeavors of Man equally unimportant... And not nearly as much fun!" Robert Traver, Anatomy of a Fisherman
Well, I don't know about a joke, but I can give you a clue. You mentioned the marabou rippling away in the slightest breeze. In the water, that hackle will cause the water to do some interesting things. Very nice head by the way!
"It's not that I find fishing so important, it's just that I find all other endeavors of Man equally unimportant... And not nearly as much fun!" Robert Traver, Anatomy of a Fisherman
Wbranch on Feb 16, 2012February 16th, 2012, 3:45 am EST
"Very nice head by the way!"
That was exactly my thought when I saw the neat head with no errant material sticking up through the thread wraps, not too long and the entire eye is visible. Great job Nick!
FisherOfMen on Feb 16, 2012February 16th, 2012, 12:17 pm EST
Okay, I think I'm getting it... So the collar makes a certain current, but does it encourage the movement of the marabou or lessen it?
As far as the joke, I thought you were going to make a pun on Westerners or something. Just how it sounded to me... it's quite possible I'm a bit cynical hehe
Thanks for the good reviews, but a 100% rating?!?! Sounds like somebody's being nice.
How effective do you think it will be? (Although, I know, there's only one way to really find out!) It's not really a frog imitation, I just added the legs because it looked... 'empty'. Will something this "impressionistic" work, or not?
"Nothing makes a fish bigger than almost being caught." -Author Unknown
All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing. -Edmund Burke
Entoman on Feb 16, 2012February 16th, 2012, 1:38 pm EST
Encourages it dramatically! The turbulence caused by the hackle makes that marabou dance! As to effectiveness, I would think very much so. Though generally I prefer black, white, or olive versions of this style over heather gray/tan most of the time.
"It's not that I find fishing so important, it's just that I find all other endeavors of Man equally unimportant... And not nearly as much fun!" Robert Traver, Anatomy of a Fisherman
Motrout on Mar 5, 2012March 5th, 2012, 2:13 pm EST
Looks great! Should catch fish for sure....
I love experimenting and coming up with streamer patterns. I'm sure none of mine are actually very original, but it's still fun to "invent" flies. And some of them actually work on occasion, which is a nice little bonus.
"I don't know what fly fishing teaches us, but I think it's something we need to know."-John Gierach
http://fishingintheozarks.blogspot.com/
it's deadly. especially on stocked rainbows in ponds. went head-to-head with a very experienced gentleman once, tying his streamer with my wet mouse on behind to fish a "trophy" pond he took me to. caught more fish than he, all on that mouse.
cast it out, let it sink a bit, and retrieve it in 1 inch strips.
an entomologist i talked to once told me she thought it resembled a dragonfly nymph, which would live in a pond and move that way.