By Rand Harcz
With days getting shorter and guide season winding down a little that means one thing, streamer season!!! Fall and winter is my absolute favorite time to go fly fishing for trophy brown trout, especially winter. The crowds are down, the leaves are gone, the views are epic and the big fish are hungry. On both the Watauga River and South Holston River, the TVA will typically generate more frequently in winter months. These consistent, high flows create the perfect opportunity to bust out the 8wt and sling some streamers. Aquatic insects in winter consist mostly of small midges and baetis nymphs such as BWO's, which do not provide a substantial meal as a single serving. A trout may have to eat hundreds or more to get the nourishment it needs in a day. To a two foot brown trout, a larger meal such as a 3-5 inch baby brown trout offers much more bang for the buck. One might even venture to say a larger river fish is a smarter river fish and it eats larger meals less frequently, but we’ll leave that topic alone for now. Here is a pattern that imitates a small brown trout. It is quick to tie, easy to throw and catches fish.
Materials
Size 2 60 Degree Jig Hook
Size medium Pseudo Eyes red with yellow pupil
Extra Select Craft Fur color Sand and Tan
1.5" Polar Fiber Streamer Brush color orange
Yellow Laser Dub
Pearl Krystal Flash
210 UTC Thread color red
steps
1.
Insert jig hook in vice.
2.
Tie in Pseudo Eyes firmly as positioned in photo.
3.
Above hook barb tie in small out Sand Craft Fur, make sure to clear out small fibers before lashing down. We will be tying in more craft fur so go light and keep the fly on the slim side.
4.
Select 3-4 strands of Pearl Krystal Flash and tie in running equal length as Craft Fur. The Krystal Flash should be run down both sides making 6-8 strands.
5.
Prep slightly shorter but same amount of Tan craft fur and tie in slightly above the Sand craft fur. Using multiple furs of similar colors makes a slightly more realistic color profile for most baitfish Patterns.
6.
Rotate hook and repeat step 5.
7.
Tie in Polar Fiber Brush. Using a larger or whole brush is advised, this way you have a nice piece left to work with for your next fly after you tie in and trim.
8.
Wrap brush forward while continuously stroking fibers back while wrapping.
9.
Make roughly 3-4 wraps with your Polar Fiber brush up to the Pseudo Eyes.
10.
Tie in brush and trim.
11.
Brush out your Polar Fiber Brush. Rotate so you can brush from every side.
12.
Advance thread above Pseudo Eyes. Take a small to moderate clump of laser dub stroke fibers in hand to align together. Tie in evenly making a V shape like the picture.
13.
Rotate vice and repeat step above making another V shape of laser dub but on the bottom of the hook.
14.
Advance thread in front of both dubbing V's created. Stroke Dubbing back according to picture.
15.
Whip finish.
16.
Almost done. Now the finishing touch.
17.
Pry up laser dub and apply glue on top of Pseudo Eyes according to photo.
18.
Gently push laser dubbing head down and hold allowing glue to dry.
19.
Rotate vice and apply glue to Pseudo Eyes on the other side.
20.
Gently push laser dubbing head down and hold allowing glue to dry.
Finished Fly
Quick to tie, easy to throw and catches fish.
Classroom pictures…
While high water and cold temperatures can create great fishing opportunities, it can also result in dangerous fishing conditions. Dress warm, stay safe and have fun!
