THE UNUSUAL SUSPECTS
(Total FlyFisher 2010)
Pictures by Frazer McBain
Among the many flies favoured by anglers over the years, a few patterns are used time and time again. But why keep the formula so predictable? Trying and sussing out a wider range of flies is not just an interesting process, but can prove invaluable for tricky days and tough conditions.
Much of my own tampering with fly patterns represents a simple goal: to find that deadly alternative fly that will work where the others fail. A “super sub” if you will. In short, a pattern that can turn a tough day into a successful one.
For my part I make no apologies for my obsession with strange variants and novel twists. Part of it is simple pleasure. Trying out fresh tactics makes a fly fisherman tick. But there is as much method as madness. Trout as well as trout fishermen respond to fresh ideas with curiosity and new patterns, however unusual, also keep the enthusiasm sharp and help prevent us from simply going through the motions.
So what do you look for in that first class substitute? Something that provokes interest? Perhaps. A fly that offers something different in the way it behaves? Most definitely. It might be easy to dismiss some of the more outlandish flies available today, but we overlook the fact that trout also possess a natural “curiosity”. The only way a trout can discover if something is edible is to try and eat it! The fascination is in working out which stimulus will work at any given time, allowing for the less than predictable nature of even stocked fish.
Curiosity Knocks
A trip to Bratton Water, North Devon, provides the perfect opportunity to put a handful of new ideas to the test. The scenario is perhaps a familiar one to many day ticket anglers: crystal clear water, dipping temperatures and a head of trout that see their fair share of flies. The single, generous sized lake here certainly looks inviting, with no shortage of features or indeed trout. But after a chilly night, the fish won’t go crazy for any old pattern you throw at them. An ideal opportunity for a little field testing you might say.
Bratton represents a series of classic lake features to try. We have an island, point swims and weedy shallows. This six acre pool is well matured, with natural food present throughout the year and plenty of tempting spots. A quick walk round with polarising glasses reveals that there are fish moving in several areas, but on a cool morning a sensible starting point is the deepest area. Like so many small water fisheries, Bratton has much greater depth at one end which quickly drops down to around ten feet.
A dark lure represents an ideal starting pattern for clear water on cold morning- so says the textbook advice at least. And so whilst John Garnett tries the buzzer, I kick things off with a black Tadpole. For several casts a slow retrieve produces little interest. More tellingly still, when I do spy one or two trout following they seem to approach curiously before turning away. A slightly snappier retrieve gets a similar result. Is the size of lure the problem? It’s time to take a cue from Monty Python’s Flying Circus, and try “something completely different”.
Mini lures already have a strong following, with good reason, and those patterns which blur the boundaries between nymphs and lures can be excellent for fussy fish. Perhaps my current favourite pattern in this category is the bizarre looking YBT, or “Yellow Beaded Thing”. Never really publicised, this unlikely candidate originated from the vise of Bristol fly tyer John Horsfall. A fly that epitomises the phrase “don’t knock it till you’ve tried it” this deadly oddity truly offers something different: it is attention grabbing but not too big and has a most pleasing wiggle, a cracking option retrieved with a slow to steady figure of eight on a long leader
Sure enough, the YBT generates some fresh interest. There is a swirl behind the fly on only the second cast as it nears the bank. Am I seeing things? It seems almost illogical that the fish should react to such an odd stimulus having refused a classic black lure. But I’m not hallucinating; moments later a little tap on the line is followed by a solid thump as a fish tears off. A fit and full tailed rainbow is soon in the net, the yellow culprit clearly visible.
With no more takes imminent however, it’s time for another substitution. On a smallish water of moderate depth, you know pretty quickly whether or not fish are interested in your current offering. With the mini lures still not quite having the desired effect, it’s time to resort to something else. Bloodworms fit the bill for “get out of jail” fly patterns perfectly, providing the kind of subtle but deadly motion and attraction that has rescued many a slow day’s winter fishing. It’s a case of reigning in the impulse to retrieve however, and letting the fly sink freely, working slowly and deliberately through likely areas. It doesn’t take long for the first little knock on the end of the fly line to arrive, which happens as the fly is still settling in the water. It’s an encouraging sign which also serves to indicate that the trout are perhaps not lying as deep in the water as you thought. A slow sinking bloodworm, rather than a weighted or goldhead version, ensures that the fly stays visible for maximum time as it falls. The odd little pull serves to lift the fly back up a few inches and grab the attention of any passing fish. The bites are subtle affairs as is typical, often no more than slight draws on the end of the fly line. Taking prompt action on the next little tug results in connection with another rainbow ploughing off at hair-raising speed, in complete contrast to the gentle take seconds earlier.
An Inspired Substitution?
With sport still not exactly hectic, another little sortie around the lake is a good plan. Not only is a leisurely walk a good way to locate fish, it’s also an enjoyable way to take a break and maybe have a rethink. For most of us fly fishing is meant to be a reflective and relaxing pursuit after all and not an exercise in cramming as many casts as possible into a few hours.
With the morning becoming milder, more fish are becoming visible and there are even a few trout prepared to rise. Slowly but surely the lake is waking up as the fish look up for their food. As well as rainbows, the fishery is known for some cracking browns and I’m keen to see how smaller patterns might fare for these beauties.
After spotting several swirls and dark backs cruising below the surface further along the bank I need no further invitation to switch to small, slow sinking patterns. It’s also a chance to explore some fresh patterns. John Garnett is getting a few takes on classic black buzzers, but I decide on another unusual little fish catcher, Leon Guthrie’s Satanic Buzzer. Of all the fly tyers I know Leon is perhaps the most fiendishly inventive, and the “Satanic” is a perfect example. It has a similar profile to any classic red and black buzzer, but the killer difference is the addition of two little flexi floss “horns” which give added movement and attraction, hence the devilish name.
With plenty of fish now in the top few feet of the water I resort to my favourite slow sinking set up. My standard tapered leader sinks, but only just, whilst at the business end is a three foot tippet of 6lb fluorocarbon. This ensures that my buzzer will get two or three feet down fairly quickly, but then sinks only painfully slowly. Another option is to use a buzzer in conjunction with a small emerger such as a shuttlecock buzzer.
With the fish waking up a little, it is a simple case of casting where movement is spotted and just letting the buzzer drift into view. It doesn’t take long for a positive response, the slow sinking leader abruptly pulling away. The surface bulges as connection is made, the first punch in another bruising tussle. With all the fuss we make it’s gratifying to experience just how simple and thrilling the whole exercise can be; drop the right fly in front of a moving fish and hold tight. Case closed.
The next fish is better still. I make a short cast to a long, marauding shape that turns out to be one of Bratton’s magnificent brownies. The line hardly moves, but the sight of the dark fish turning on the falling buzzer is all that’s required. A few searing runs and a change of underpants later and a magnificent brown of two pounds plus is in the net. Devilishly simple, you might say.
Can a change to a particular fly really make all the difference though? It’s perhaps the million dollar question. Out of pure curiosity I switch to a little Daiwl Bach. The takes are still forthcoming, but not with anything like the same frequency or sheer conviction of the Satanic special. I donate a spare to John Garnett, who finds the pattern equally, fiendishly effective with three trout in quick succession. The warming conditions and increased activity play their part, but all the same it seems that switching to the optimum fly has been just the trick. By the afternoon the day has transformed from slow come tricky to dynamite thanks to an inspired substitution.
Naturally enough though, the infuriating and addictive part of the puzzle is that next time the session could follow a completely different pattern and a very different fly could prove to be the match winning sub. All the more reason to have a strong selection in your fly box, and not just the usual suspects but flies that dare to be a little different.
Super Subs:
YBT (or “Yellow Beaded Thing”)
Hook: 10-12 Kamasan B110
Thread: yellow 6/0 or 8/0 (surpise!)
Rib: 6lbs nylon mono tied 1/3 along shank, both ends secured then superglued.
Tail: Yellow rabbit or marabou.
Body: 3 strands of yellow ostrich (Chenille is too thick!)
Back: 5or 6 yellow glass beads threaded onto a 1.5" brass embroidery pin
This surprisingly deadly oddity created by John Horsfall is always worth a cast. The beaded pin is cut about 3mm beyond the beads & reversed on itself with artery forceps to follow the underside of the hook shank before tying in at the tail. The Ostrich herl is then wrapped between the gaps in the beads. Push the beads down onto the hook shank & rib between each bead. The head is then covered well with thread before a whip finish.
Rainbow Bloodworm
Hook: Nymph or buzzer size 8-12
Thread: Red 6/0
Head: 3mm Rainbow bead
Body: Red Magic Glass
Tail: Red Marabou
Bloodworm patterns are always worth a try when the chips are down. This one replaces the usual brass head with a rainbow bead for a slower sink rate. Fish slowly and watch carefully for bites on the drop.
Satanic Buzzer
Hook: Kamasan B100 or B110
Thread: Black & Red
Butt: Built up red thread
Body: Evenly layered black thread
Rib: Silver Wire
Head: Two strands of red flexi floss
This Leon Guthrie special is devilishly good for buzzer feeding fish, often out fishing conventional patterns. The real draw is the pair of flexi floss “horns” which add movement and colour.
Fact File:
Bratton Water Fishery
This well matured, spacious lake is known for its superb browns as well as a healthy stock of rainbows. The water is wonderfully clear and there are plenty of features to aim for. Small nymphs and mini lures produce well at the fishery, which is located near Barnstaple, North Devon (EX31 4ST). A four fish ticket costs £20, but winter catch and release options are also available with prior permission. More Info: 01271 850642
www.flyfishingbrattonwater.co.uk
