Muskoka Outdoors Network

Looking for a different trout fly to use that might give you an edge this spring? Why not tie on one of these flies as recommended to me from the blogosphere, twittersphere and the angler next door.

Although nothing new to fly benches, they could be that special and different treat your cold water trout are going to learn to crave.

1. Ben Rioux from Maine Fly Castings suggests:

My favorite fly for Brook trout by season:

Spring: Allagash Al, Grey Ghost
Summer: White Wulff
Fall: (Orange Chenille Version, no ribbing, Large Partridge soft hackle)

*Bill’s Note – I have heard that Wood Special Fly can also bring in some brown trout

2. Noel Gyger from noelgyger.ca suggests:

My favorite steelhead fly is the Hawaiian Punch.  This fly is usually used on a spey fly rod but will work fine on a single hand also.  Little bit of detail given to me by Chad Black (one of the pro guides I book trips for):

As you can see by the picture (photo right), it’s a very bright fly.  I tend to fish this fly in rivers like the Kalum or Skeena, which have a large glacial influence and always seem to have that “Steelhead Green” colour.  My personal favorite variation on this pattern however, is tying an Intruder with this same colour scheme.  I find that the Intruder style series with a trailing hook seems to hold Steelhead better, as they don’t have as much leverage on the fly as they would on an Alec Jackson or traditional Spey hook.  In this case, I use 50 lb Fireline XS or XT (something like that) – it’s strong, and stiff.

Hawaiian Punch (Originated by Dustin Kovacvich)

Hook: Alec Jackson Spey or Similar
Thread: 6/0 Fluorescent Orange UNI
Tail: Chartreuse Rabbit Strip
Body: Palmered Orange Cross Cut Rabbit Strip (wraps easier, and makes a better profile)
Front Hackle: Cerise Blood Quill Marabou, tips facing towards the rear of the fly
Topping/Flash: Flashabou (my personal favorite is Mirage) or Krystal Flash, depending on your preference  – photo by Rodnew Daw (rodneydawphotography.ca)

3. Frontier Farwest Lodge suggests (via twitter):

We swear by this leech in BC for monster steelhead!

The Strung Out MOAL Leech (instructions)

Front Hook: Cheap SE Streamer or Nymph Hook
Short Shank Beak Hook
Weight: Spirit River Hot Bead
Thread: Flat A or other Heavy Thread
Rear Accent Bead: Cascade Crest Salmon Candy 4 mm Glass Faceted Bead
Platform: 30-pound Dacron fly line backing
Body: Rear Pink CrossCut Rabbit; Front Flesh Cross Cut Rabbit

4. Rick Passek author of Freshman Flyfisher suggests:

I would take a Hares ear Nymph and a Tom Thumb, why you ask, simple. The hairs ear and the Tom Thumb are an searching patterns. They don’t represent any one insect perfectly, but represent many insects well. These two flies will be taking by trout as Caddis Flies, May Flies, Mosquitoes, Midges, along with many others.

5. Muskoka Outdoors suggests:

Light Cahills. Local fishing guide and friend, Craig Markle and I found that, last spring on the Big East River, resident brook trout did not start to bite until we reached and area of shallow to medium rapids. The specks were hunkered down in the riffles and ambush points found within the fast moving sections. We used light cahills and casted upstream of potential hiding spots and watched them drift down with the current. IF the drift was right, we were rewarded with great aerobatics from the leaping specks.

I am sure I have missed many other worthy mentions. If so, please comment your suggestion below. Many thanks to all those who helped me with my little fly fishing project!

All the recent talk of possible military intervention and the establishment no fly zones over Libya, compelled me to share this story. It happened last spring while fishing downstream of my favorite fishing hole in the Muskoka River.

Several ‘regular’ (spinning reels) anglers watched me, with a curious interest, as I put my fly rod together and approached the riverbank. We were all here to hook into some trout that were moving up from Mary Lake to the Lock System. One could easily hook into a smorgasbord of Lake Trout, Rainbow Trout, and Speckled Trout.

Somebody was in my regular spot so I was forced to fish on a less than ideal section of the river. I did not have hipwaders, so this meant I had to fly fish from a portion of the bank surrounded with small trees. It was possible, but it would prove to be a difficult assignment for this rookie fly-thrower.

I started to get into my ‘groove’ of getting my fly out into the water when a slight tug behind me hooked my attention. My fly and attached fishing line could be seen (by myself and the surrounding anglers) dangling several feet in the air. I could hear quiet chuckling from the gathering spin casting crowd.

Embarrassed, I untangled my line and began my line ‘motions’ again. Things went very well for about 20 minutes. I became more confident in my casting and the line reciprocated by moving farther and farther out. The other spin casting anglers seemed to be very curious and interested in what I was doing. I reciprocated their stares with some 'cool-guy' nods and hand waves. My eyes stayed focus on the crowd in front and forgot the crowding trees on my six.

Shortly into my crowd pleasing spectacle, I did not see the small clump of birch leaves that fell and drifted downstream behind me. The leafy harbingers' warning went unnoticed and their silent passing ushered in a delayed, cold reality.

After 15 minutes  of my fish-less casting show, I thought I should change my fly. When I had all my line up to where I could reach for my tippet, I noticed that there was no fly attached.

I looked casually behind me and noticed it had, once again, lodged itself into the branch it had snared earlier.

Defeated, I pretended to take off my imaginary fly and quickly exited the river - stage right. For the sake of the brotherhood, I hoped that nobody noticed my dry fly indiscretion. I laughed the whole way back to my vehicle.

I have plans to return this coming spring, with my spin casting reel in hand, to remove a dry fly caught in an old birch tree and post a hand made sign that says,

No Fly Zone.

Just in case another rookie makes the same mistake I did.