Do fantasy flies ever work?
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as long as it resembles something close to what fish might be feeding on. Theres a fly i've been playing around with lately called a palamino. It immitates a midge coming out of the schuck. However, the tradition variety is pretty basic. Just a small chenile strip attached to a hook, palmered with dubbing and then cased with antron. however, I have been using egg yarn, around the tail to top the chenile which shows a lot more of a molting image. Another one Ive played around with this winter is called a lazer larva. I took the standard old lace larva patterns and decided to top the black thread with a strand of small red ultra wire. That little flash of red under the clear lace give both flash and an image of a blood worm molting into a black midge. The more you get into it, you will do this with hundreds of differant patterns. Tying is all about personalization, but just don't grab a handful of scrap materials wrap it around a hook; call it macaroni and expect that to catch fish!
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Oh yes! I was working at the bench a couple of weeks ago, wanting to tie some prince nymphs. I didn't have all the right materials, so I started tying a bunch of flies that I now proudly call, "The Dark Prince" (not to be confused with the Prince of Darkness....that would be bad 
I took the fly up to the upper Arkansas and have absolutely wailed on the fish up there! I came back home, tied up a bunch more in different sizes, and it's now at the top of my early spring/late winter go to flies. Experimentation is where the majority of good flies come from - don't be afraid to fish anything that you build - you just never know!
I took the fly up to the upper Arkansas and have absolutely wailed on the fish up there! I came back home, tied up a bunch more in different sizes, and it's now at the top of my early spring/late winter go to flies. Experimentation is where the majority of good flies come from - don't be afraid to fish anything that you build - you just never know!
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·Absolutely! When I was 13, I tied hot pink bunny flies on a trip to Alaska. The guides laughed at me until the fly hit the water. Also tied something with a green maribou tail, green chenille body, and tinsel over the top (like a humpy). Caught the biggest rainbow on the trip.
Over the years, I've learned that an elk hair caddis can be subsitituted with a "hank of hair" (skip the body and just tie the elk hair on the hook - call me lazy). Try a "poly pro humpy" (a humpy using tan polypro instead of deer hair).
I say go wild and try it. Worse you can do is get skunked!
Over the years, I've learned that an elk hair caddis can be subsitituted with a "hank of hair" (skip the body and just tie the elk hair on the hook - call me lazy). Try a "poly pro humpy" (a humpy using tan polypro instead of deer hair).
I say go wild and try it. Worse you can do is get skunked!
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I guess it's similar in concept to my mutant flies--flies that I tie that are poorly done and don't quite look like those in the store. I've been told on a previous thread to keep them around. They sure do look buggy but I haven't had a chance to use them.
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ok, what's a blue poodle look like??? ;D
You've gotta give us a report the instant you latch onto anything with that one!
You've gotta give us a report the instant you latch onto anything with that one!
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Some of my most productive flys started out as pure fantasy flys. The woollybugger is a prime example.
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