whitefeather
04-01-2011, 05:46 PM
Disclaimer: I do not profess to be a fly-tier or have much knowledge of it, nor do I have the dexterity to be very good at it. I am at best, curious enough to try it every once in a while.
Watching a U-tube video of Oliver Edwards, flyfishing a chalk stream in England, presenting "wet" flies as dries, for fussy trout gave me part of this idea. He called them "spiders" but they didn't have the traditional swept back feather wings I equate with wet flies overhere. They were more like dries with thicker hackle in front and they rode high on top of the water film.
I do have some fly tying equipment but nothing elaborate. When I was younger I tied "bass flies", and pan fish bugs, but haven't done any of that for so long I can't remember when I did it last.
Today one of our cats was playing with something on the floor next to my work bench and I investigated to find it was something, that if she ate it, it might hurt her insides, so I put it "up" out of her reach so she wouldn't find it again. I knew what it was, and it immediately gave me an idea because of what it looked like. That combined with the idea from the video gave birth to this creation.
I call it the BH Torpedo. Black Hackle or Bead Head Torpedo, whichever you prefer. And it closely resembles Oliver Edward's "spiders". With one exception. Look closely at the pictures and you will see it.
Everyone has probably watched a submarine movie like "Red October" and is familiar with the sound of a torpedo speeding toward an unsuspecting target. Being with the navy for so many years, I must have heard the sound a million times on accoustaphones. Somewhat shrill, hi-pitched, and irritating. The sound is the pitch of the prop propelling the device forward. How about if it was towed instead, at varying speeds.
I did some tool work on the part I took away from kitty, polished it, and attached it to a number 12 nymph hook, followed by a gold bead, black nylon 70 denier thread, wrapping the hook all the way to the back. Then added black hackle working from the rear forward. A spot of glue fore and aft and wallah, secret weapon accomplished. Sounds quick when I describe it, but it wasn't.
I tested it with my air gun and it "screamed"! The faster the air went, the louder, more buzzy it got. Going from current seams into faster water, then into riffles, then slower water, it should do the same underwater. And that spells "spinner", only the size of a dry fly. Fully intended to sink and stay down until a trout nails it and jumps or tails.
Okay my imagination is getting away from me now, but I think it will work good. In spring waters, time will tell!
All I know about trout is they can be the most picky creatures when it comes to imitations of their food supply, but when presented with a noisy, clankety-clank, buzzing, flashing spinner bait, they lose all composure and try their best to kill whatever is making that strange sound, even it means treading unsafe waters. And that's what I'm betting on 'cause I guarantee they have never heard the sound that comes from this bugger. If it works, I will be able to spin and fly at the same time. Call it helicoptering!
Little River Proving Grounds, here I come!
http://littleriveroutfitters.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=90&pictureid=584
http://littleriveroutfitters.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=90&pictureid=585
http://littleriveroutfitters.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=90&pictureid=586
Watching a U-tube video of Oliver Edwards, flyfishing a chalk stream in England, presenting "wet" flies as dries, for fussy trout gave me part of this idea. He called them "spiders" but they didn't have the traditional swept back feather wings I equate with wet flies overhere. They were more like dries with thicker hackle in front and they rode high on top of the water film.
I do have some fly tying equipment but nothing elaborate. When I was younger I tied "bass flies", and pan fish bugs, but haven't done any of that for so long I can't remember when I did it last.
Today one of our cats was playing with something on the floor next to my work bench and I investigated to find it was something, that if she ate it, it might hurt her insides, so I put it "up" out of her reach so she wouldn't find it again. I knew what it was, and it immediately gave me an idea because of what it looked like. That combined with the idea from the video gave birth to this creation.
I call it the BH Torpedo. Black Hackle or Bead Head Torpedo, whichever you prefer. And it closely resembles Oliver Edward's "spiders". With one exception. Look closely at the pictures and you will see it.
Everyone has probably watched a submarine movie like "Red October" and is familiar with the sound of a torpedo speeding toward an unsuspecting target. Being with the navy for so many years, I must have heard the sound a million times on accoustaphones. Somewhat shrill, hi-pitched, and irritating. The sound is the pitch of the prop propelling the device forward. How about if it was towed instead, at varying speeds.
I did some tool work on the part I took away from kitty, polished it, and attached it to a number 12 nymph hook, followed by a gold bead, black nylon 70 denier thread, wrapping the hook all the way to the back. Then added black hackle working from the rear forward. A spot of glue fore and aft and wallah, secret weapon accomplished. Sounds quick when I describe it, but it wasn't.
I tested it with my air gun and it "screamed"! The faster the air went, the louder, more buzzy it got. Going from current seams into faster water, then into riffles, then slower water, it should do the same underwater. And that spells "spinner", only the size of a dry fly. Fully intended to sink and stay down until a trout nails it and jumps or tails.
Okay my imagination is getting away from me now, but I think it will work good. In spring waters, time will tell!
All I know about trout is they can be the most picky creatures when it comes to imitations of their food supply, but when presented with a noisy, clankety-clank, buzzing, flashing spinner bait, they lose all composure and try their best to kill whatever is making that strange sound, even it means treading unsafe waters. And that's what I'm betting on 'cause I guarantee they have never heard the sound that comes from this bugger. If it works, I will be able to spin and fly at the same time. Call it helicoptering!
Little River Proving Grounds, here I come!
http://littleriveroutfitters.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=90&pictureid=584
http://littleriveroutfitters.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=90&pictureid=585
http://littleriveroutfitters.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=90&pictureid=586