What fly needs to be made?

[mvtoro]

So I'm thinking about flies designs that I could submit to Orvis this year. I went 2 for 2 last time and would like to keep a good reputation with them by not sending stuff that ultimately gets rejected. (It seems like they give your patterns more weight this way)

As I thought about it, one of the reasons I made good, relatively innovative flies for my last submissions was because I thought of something that needed to be represented by a fly (in this case Green Drake nymphs and Cranefly Larvae), but couldn't think of a pattern already in production that I thought did it well enough.

So I designed flies from scratch based on what I thought was needed: a translucent cranefly and a drake nymph with the parts I thought were missing from others.

Thus: The Candy Crane



at orvis here

Youtube tutorial here

and the Drake Del Diablo



drake here

So my question to the combined wisdom of my azfat friends is this:

What fly pattern do you need? What is the bug in the water at which stage that you still don't have the right fly for or would most like a better one? As I sit down at an empty vise and try to get the creative juices flowing, what should I try to make?

[MGIII]

Damn those are beautiful. Hmmm I don't know. Curious to see what you come up with though.

[mvtoro]

Thanks MGIII.

Seriously though, if anyone gives me an idea I eventually use to get accepted, I'll tie and send you a dozen for frizzle.

[herefishy]

A trico they would actually eat? Got to be the most maddening bugs ever.

[SJDrifli]

A good high floating damsel dry! That fish will actually eat. That is one pattern that I have no confidence in, have tried many of them, just have not done well with any of them. Maybe it is just me!!!!

[MGIII]

How bout a vertical chironomid
emerger?

[Piscator]

Those are some great ties!

I like the damsel suggestion. There's some usable stuff out there, but it still seems like there's some room for improvement.

The first thing that came to my mind was a Mysis Shrimp. Again, same deal. I have some patterns of my own that have worked well in the past, but they use stretch tubing for the translucent body and the durability just isn't there.

[liv4this]

What about a heavy sinking cased caddis?

[mvtoro]

Great ideas, guys! Just what I'm looking for.

Originally Posted by herefishy

A trico they would actually eat?

I wouldn't have thought of this one. Something I haven't fished in a while. Good suggestion.

Originally Posted by SJDrifli

A good high floating damsel dry! That fish will actually eat. That is one pattern that I have no confidence in, have tried many of them, just have not done well with any of them. Maybe it is just me!!!!

Not just you. I've been frustrated by the same thing at my place in Colorado. Good reminder.

Originally Posted by MGIII

How bout a vertical chironomid
emerger?

Great point. I guide on 15 private stillwaters up here in Utah and over the years I feel like I've dialed in the Chironomid thing pretty well. It was the main focus of my tying for about three years, so I've made some pretty sweet patterns too. BUT the Orvis guys tell me they pretty much have what they need (want) from Euro tyers and don't want any more! Thanks for the suggestion though.

Originally Posted by Piscator

The first thing that came to my mind was a Mysis Shrimp. Again, same deal. I have some patterns of my own that have worked well in the past, but they use stretch tubing for the translucent body and the durability just isn't there.

Another great suggestion! The solution I used for translucence in craneflies (UV cure resin) would work for a lot of other oranisms. I've experimented with making a good chironomid larva (bloodworm), but didn't ever thing about mysis. I might do this!

Originally Posted by liv4this

What about a heavy sinking cased caddis?

YES! Shawn at Orvis mentioned they were light on caddis anyway. I was thinking about an ovipositing (diving) adult caddis, but your idea might be better. I'll try it out.


AWESOME GUYS!!! This is exactly what I need! Keep them coming!

[Super fly]

This sounds silly but maybe a better corn fly for those carp.