March

Rolled Muddler Minnow

The Rolled Muddler was originally developed as a stickleback imitation for sea-run cutthroat.  It has quickly turned into one of B.C.’s most popular silver-bodied flies for cutties.  This fly can be dressed in any size from a size 12 down to a 2.  Coho, Steelhead and even Chinook have been known to take this fly.  For salmon try different wing and deer colour combos, and for cutthroat natural silver seems the best.  Have some of these in your fly box at all times, they’ve been known to save a fishless day!

 

 

Tying Materials;

Hook: Size 6-10, Mustad 9671 or 9672

Thread: Red

Tail: Mallard Flank

Body: Flat Silver,Gold or Pearlescent Mylar

Rib: Fine silver or Gold wire

Wing: Mallard Flank, 4 strands Pearl Krystal Flash, sparse deer hair

Head: Spun and clipped deer hair

Alevin Pattern

Alevin Patterns are especially effective at this time of year. With the emergence of the salmon fry from the gravel, large trout and steelhead as well as sea-run cutthroat are known for feeding heavily on these protein rich offerings.  I really like this pattern because of the action in the water.  Alot of patterns don’t offer enough movement in the water making them look stiff and unreaslistic.  This alevin pattern with it’s marabou underwing is very effective.  I like tying in red or orange marabou for a throat rather than the pictured saddle hackle as it looks and acts better in the water.

 

 

Tying Materials:

Hook: Size 6-10, Mustad 9672

Body: Pearl Mylar, or White floss

Rib: Fine silver wire

Underwing: White marabou

Overwing: Teal Flank

Throat: Red or Orange marabou

February

Marabou Shrimp

The shrimp pattern  is a very effective pattern for winter steelhead.  This pattern has proven itself to be a producer.  It is a fantastic pattern for low water , the marabou catches every little current and eddy imparting an irresistable action to the fly.  I think the real key to the fly is the tungsten bead eyes, which upon hitting the water make the fly swim right away.  Add this to your fly box for those low water conditions and I know you won’t be disappointed.

Tying Materials:

Hook: Mustad  34007 size 4 or 6

Eyes: 40lb maxima  topped with 1/8″ black Tungsten bead

(use a lighter to melt one end to hold bead on)

Shellback: Strung Marabou(orange,hot pink, pink,white,Black)

Body: Marabou wound around shank

Legs: Palmered Strung or Popsicle Marabou.

(Strip off one side of marabou for better effect)

Rib: Copper or Gold Wire

October

                                                                          

The Showgirl fly is a killer fly pattern for Chum.  It has now moved in to jigs and other styles of fishing because of how effective it is.  This is a very effective fly in both fast and slow water.  Marabou is the key to this fly, its action in the water is irresistable to fish.  You can also use rabbit strips to tie this pattern.  The rabbit strip patterns seem to be most effective in low and clear conditions while the marabou patterns are deadly during high and coloured conditions.

Tying Materials

• Hook: Mustad  36890 size 2-6
• Thread: Hot orange
• Body: Palmered Marabou, first pink then  purple
• Flash: 2-4 strands of Purple Flashabou

 

Tips:  When tying this fly make sure to tie in the tips first rather then the heavy quill end.  For fast water don’t be afraid to lead the body or put a bead head on.

Black Sally Chironomid

 

Throughout the season chironomids are the single most important food source for trout in productive stillwaters.  Chironomid pupa make up to 50% of the trout’s diet during the spring season. With over 2500 species in western North America chironomids offer a rich, readily available food source. Although the heaviest hatches occur in the months immediately following ice off and turn over chironomids are  an all season food source that trout become accustomed to seeing and feeding upon. Like a bowl of potato chips or other snack at a party it seems that trout just can’t resist chironomid pupa. It takes a number of pupae to make up a meal, so our odds of catching a trout increase accordingly. I have seen selective pupa feeding of epic proportions. Trout become so stuffed it seems inconceivable they could swallow anymore.  The Black Sally is a tried and true early season producer of fish.  Give it a try and hold on tight to your rod.

                                                                         

Tying Materials

• Hook: Tiemco 2457 #8-#16
• Thread: Olive or Black
• Rib: Red Holographic Flashabou
• Body: Black Flashabou or Frostbite
• Thorax: Peacock Herl
• Head: Black Metal or Tungsten Bead
• Gills: White Sparkle Yarn

The Copper John

The Copper John is an excellent spring time nymph to use in our local rivers because of the heavy weight of this fly.  With the heavy bead head and wired body this fly sinks quickly and stays where you want it, on the bottom, for your drift.  With the heavy currents and rising waters that come with the spring thaw and usual heavy rains of the Wet Coast in spring this fly stays on the bottom where the early nymphs are going to be.  Fish this pattern with confidence all through the year and you may just find a new favorite. I’ve taken everything from Steelhead in April to rainbows  in October on these not to mention the Cutthroat.  Give it a try, and see how it does for you.

Tying Materials:

 Hook:  Mustad 3906b  #10-#18

Bead:  Gold, Brass, Tungsten

Abdomen:  Copper wire

Legs:  Brown Partridge flank or Mottled Hen Back Fibres

Wing Case:  One strand of pearlescent Mylar or silver holographic superflash or flashabou over black or brown 1/8” scudback.  Cover wingcase with gloss coat or tuffleye acrylic.

Tail:  Brown or Dark Brown goose biots

Thread:  Black 8/0 or 6/0 uni-thread

Thorax:  Peacock Herl

Tying Notes:  Try other wire colors like green, and red or gold, you can also try different colored beads