Header image
Enter a name
Artistic view of a Male Pteronarcys californica (Pteronarcyidae) (Giant Salmonfly) Stonefly Adult from the Gallatin River in Montana
Salmonflies
Pteronarcys californica

The giant Salmonflies of the Western mountains are legendary for their proclivity to elicit consistent dry-fly action and ferocious strikes.

Lateral view of a Male Baetidae (Blue-Winged Olive) Mayfly Dun from Mystery Creek #308 in Washington
This dun emerged from a mature nymph on my desk. Unfortunately its wings didn't perfectly dry out.
27" brown trout, my largest ever. It was the sub-dominant fish in its pool. After this, I hooked the bigger one, but I couldn't land it.
Troutnut is a project started in 2003 by salmonid ecologist Jason "Troutnut" Neuswanger to help anglers and fly tyers unabashedly embrace the entomological side of the sport. Learn more about Troutnut or support the project for an enhanced experience here.

Wbranch
Wbranch's profile picture
York & Starlight PA

Posts: 2635
Wbranch on Aug 20, 2007August 20th, 2007, 12:55 am EDT

Catskill fly fisher for fifty-five years.
Softhackle
Softhackle's profile picture
Wellsville, NY

Posts: 540
Softhackle on Aug 20, 2007August 20th, 2007, 8:49 am EDT
I've not done any studies, but I see a difference in the way a fly sits on the water. I can tell that splaying the tail helps it to sit upright, better. It stabilizes the fly, even in the classic Catskill design flies.(I will note, here that if you do splay the tails on a Catskill design fly, it may, buy some, no longer be considered "Catskill style". I will also note I consider the term "Catskill Style" inaccurate.) I also feel specific designs of flies must have, at least, splayed tails in order to perform as designed.

Mark
"I have the highest respect for the skilled wet-fly fisherman, as he has mastered an art of very great difficulty." Edward R. Hewitt

Flymphs, Soft-hackles and Spiders: http://www.troutnut.com/libstudio/FS&S/index.html
Wbranch
Wbranch's profile picture
York & Starlight PA

Posts: 2635
Wbranch on Aug 20, 2007August 20th, 2007, 10:11 am EDT
Catskill fly fisher for fifty-five years.
Softhackle
Softhackle's profile picture
Wellsville, NY

Posts: 540
Softhackle on Aug 20, 2007August 20th, 2007, 11:45 am EDT
Hi Wbranch,
I agree with you and say that's a very good description. I have had some very involved discussions regarding "the Catskill Style". I know a few very educated fly fishers/tiers that disagree that this "style" even exists. With me, however, It is somewhat a matter of semantics. I prefer "Catskill Design" rather than "style". To me, style is something akin to a fad or particular embellishment or something very fleeting and unlasting-transient. A design is something more lasting and functional.


Mark
"I have the highest respect for the skilled wet-fly fisherman, as he has mastered an art of very great difficulty." Edward R. Hewitt

Flymphs, Soft-hackles and Spiders: http://www.troutnut.com/libstudio/FS&S/index.html
Wbranch
Wbranch's profile picture
York & Starlight PA

Posts: 2635
Wbranch on Aug 20, 2007August 20th, 2007, 3:40 pm EDT
Catskill fly fisher for fifty-five years.
Softhackle
Softhackle's profile picture
Wellsville, NY

Posts: 540
Softhackle on Aug 21, 2007August 21st, 2007, 1:56 am EDT
Wbranch,
Their flies would definitely fit into the "Catskill Design" category, but you have to realize that their flies were based on flies designed by tiers that came before them like Rube Cross, who was the first commercial tier in the Catskills and who, along with Roy Steenrod and Herman Christian , set the standard for Catskill flies. These gentlemen were students of Theodore Gordon. many of Gordon's flies were based on flies created in England, which is why some tiers will argue that there really is no "Catskill Style or Design".

Mark
"I have the highest respect for the skilled wet-fly fisherman, as he has mastered an art of very great difficulty." Edward R. Hewitt

Flymphs, Soft-hackles and Spiders: http://www.troutnut.com/libstudio/FS&S/index.html
Troutbum13
Millerton,PA

Posts: 7
Troutbum13 on Sep 5, 2008September 5th, 2008, 9:22 am EDT
Actually, Rube Cross was not the first commercial tyer in the Catskills. It was George W. Cooper. It was in the 1870s when he was tying flies for sale.
Leakywaders
New England

Posts: 43
Leakywaders on Sep 7, 2008September 7th, 2008, 9:42 am EDT
The "NEARNUF" (HG Tapley) uses a pair of split feather quills for tail, that way the fly is stablized, rides upright, etc.
On the other hand, if the fly falls over it looks like a stillborn, or cripple, and may get more strikes. I think tha would be a "good mistake" Maybe it is becouse our flies are such poor imitations, that they are successful. i,e, the hook looks like a trailing shuck. The wing that goes cockeyed on the first cast, then catches fish, etc.
Drag free??? If the fly didn't drag, I wouldn't know where it was!!

Quick Reply

Related Discussions

Topic
Replies
Last Reply
2
Mar 21, 2010
by Mfb1978
2
Mar 24, 2008
by Martinlf
Troutnut.com is copyright © 2004-2024 (email Jason). privacy policy