Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum

Fishing in British Columbia => Fly Fishing Cafe => Topic started by: Apennock on April 28, 2017, 10:42:27 PM

Title: Filling out the fly box
Post by: Apennock on April 28, 2017, 10:42:27 PM
There is lots of info out there on how to match the hatch and choose the right fly on the water but I'm having a hard time finding suggestions on how to set myself up so that, in the unlikely event that I read everything right, I have the flexibility to adjust to what I see.  I was hoping to get some recommendations from some more seasoned fly fishermen here in BC on what to take out with me. 

I'll be fishing for trout, mostly in rivers but I'm hoping to get to a small lake or two (but I can adjust before I make anything of those outings, rivers and streams are my priority).  As it stands right now I have Doc Spratleys, Copper John, Blood worms and Prince Nymphs. 
Title: Re: Filling out the fly box
Post by: bobby b on April 28, 2017, 11:56:57 PM
Good start would be
Nymphs... Hares ear, prince, pheasant tail, black stonefly , gold stonefly
Chironomids ....zebra, maroon, olive green
Streamers ..... wooly buggers, micro leeches, spratleys, muddlers
Dries... caddis, caddis, caddis .... :0 , small emergers, tom thumbs

Caught 5 trout today. 1 on a chronie, 2 on a green/copper wolly bugger, 1 on a green micro leech and 1 on a green doc spratley

Mind you this was all on local lakes

Rivers I carry mostly just nymphs and dries ... depending on the flow the odd streamer
Title: Re: Filling out the fly box
Post by: Apennock on April 29, 2017, 07:31:01 AM
Thank you!  That's a great list to work from.
Title: Re: Filling out the fly box
Post by: RalphH on April 29, 2017, 08:14:32 AM
chironomids: size 12-16 TDC style in black, red, brown and green(olive)

Mayflies: Adams #12-16 for dries, pheasant tail for nymphs same sizes

Caddis: Elk Hair Caddis (dry), Hares ear with and without gold bead (larva)

Stoneflies: free stone rivers only - any pattern

Attractors (dry) Humpies and Royal Wulff

Minnow/Attractors: muddler minnow, Mickey Finn, Professor, Wooly Bugger


Title: Re: Filling out the fly box
Post by: DanL on April 29, 2017, 07:26:51 PM
chironomids: size 12-16 TDC style in black, red, brown and green(olive)

Just curious what is meant by 'TDC' in this context?
Title: Re: Filling out the fly box
Post by: FlyFishin Magician on April 30, 2017, 09:12:00 AM
Thompson's Delectable Chironomid which was originally a basic black with silver rib pattern.  It's an old school pattern.
Title: Re: Filling out the fly box
Post by: RalphH on April 30, 2017, 06:33:36 PM
Thompson's Delectable Chironomid which was originally a basic black with silver rib pattern.  It's an old school pattern.


    Hook: TMC 9300 #12-18
    Thread: Uni-thread Black 8/0
    Abdomen: Black Beaver Dubbing
    Thorax: Black Beaver Dubbing
    Ribbing: Sm. Oval Silver Tinsel
    Gills: Natural Gray Ostrich Herl


It meets the basics of what a chironomid looks like.

(http://swittersb.files.wordpress.com/2008/04/pupa1.jpg)

 Pretty easy for a new tyer. Don't get hung up on following the 'recipe'. Add a bead, sub white antron for the orstrich, floss, flashabou, krystal flash etc for the dubbing body, wire (color of your choice) or flashabou or thread for the rib.

good chironomid info: http://www.skip-morris-fly-tying.com/the-truth-about-chironomids-part-one.html
Title: Re: Filling out the fly box
Post by: bigsnag on April 30, 2017, 11:38:58 PM

    Hook: TMC 9300 #12-18
    Thread: Uni-thread Black 8/0
    Abdomen: Black Beaver Dubbing
    Thorax: Black Beaver Dubbing
    Ribbing: Sm. Oval Silver Tinsel
    Gills: Natural Gray Ostrich Herl

This is older than old school.....I think Ralph post this as a joke.
Title: Re: Filling out the fly box
Post by: RalphH on May 01, 2017, 06:39:49 AM
Nope. Chironomid:

thin segmented body, thorax with wing pads,gills - that's it. Easy peasy.
Title: Re: Filling out the fly box
Post by: DanL on May 01, 2017, 11:29:02 AM
Dubbed chironomid bodies? Old school indeed.

Yeah, given the variety of  modern new materials we have available now, I'm not sure dubbing chironomids would be the best use of ones time, especially for someone wanting to quickly build up a base of basic patterns.

Simple thread or flashabou bodies with wire or flashabou ribbing, will cover a lot of the possibilities, and extremely quick to tie.
Title: Re: Filling out the fly box
Post by: RalphH on May 01, 2017, 04:17:45 PM
this is all quite amusing!  ;D...believe me I wasn't trying to stir ripples in the sh__.

Surprising people aren't aware of the virtues of dubbing. As for time - if one doesn't tie the best flies you can, why bother?
Title: Re: Filling out the fly box
Post by: bigsnag on May 02, 2017, 07:15:51 PM
this is all quite amusing!  ;D...believe me I wasn't trying to stir ripples in the sh__.

Surprising people aren't aware of the virtues of dubbing. As for time - if one doesn't tie the best flies you can, why bother?

I believe most of us are aware of the virtues of dubbing..........but not on a size 14-16 chironomid.  Your last sentence has nothing to do with the discussion Ralph.
Title: Re: Filling out the fly box
Post by: RalphH on May 02, 2017, 09:38:39 PM
I believe most of us are aware of the virtues of dubbing..........but not on a size 14-16 chironomid.  Your last sentence has nothing to do with the discussion Ralph.

Hmm...like many patterns that are proven and have been around for some time the TDC has been frequently modified. As I said in my initial post "TDC Style" , not "the original TDC as tied by Thompson with the dubbed black body". The most frequent body material I was familiar with was of fine black wool yarn. I also said that it can be tied with floss, flashabou, krystal flash or anything you care to use ... so you've all been barking up the wrong tree. Ha Ha!

BTW if you are interested in the virtues of dubbing on a small chironomid I'd suggest you read Designing Trout Flies by Gary Borger. Skip Morris ties the TDC with dubbed rabbit. Those who dub are in good company
Title: Re: Filling out the fly box
Post by: bigsnag on May 03, 2017, 09:58:18 AM
I understand that you are well read and I appreciate you sharing your knowledge on flies.  Personally I much prefer practical local knowledge and my own on the water experience and experimentation.
Yes I do read some fishing books too.  Cheers.