The Ausable Ugly...Effective Simplicity

The more I fish and age the more I'm drawn to simplicity.  We too often complicate our lives with unnecessary clutter, distractions from what is important.  These self-imposed complications flood into the partitions of our lives meant to be free from care.  Fishing is one of those realms that suffer from too much.  Slow down; fish simple, UGLY flies.

The Sparrow's Casual Fart!

A combination of The Casual Dress, The Sparrow, and A Fart in Church.  This may be my buggiest tie to date.

Hook: TMC 5263 #6
Thread: 6/0 Brown (Does it really matter?)
Underbody: Round Lead
Tail: Muskrat
Body Dubbing: Muskrat
Hackle: Natural Dun CDC (Three Feathers Palmered)
First Collar: Cock Pheasant Rump
Second Collar: Muskrat in a Dubbing Loop
Third Collar: Black Rabbit in a Dubbing Loop

Dave Whitlock's Red Fox Squirrel Nymph

 

So I decided to tie up some of my favorite nymph this afternoon.  This fly has it all!  It looks good, it is simple to tie, and it catches fish.  Along with the pheasant tail and the hares ear this should be a top 3 fly in anyone's box.                                              

This fly will catch any freshwater species and can be tied in a multitude of sizes.

The materials for this fish catcher came from the red fox squirrel that I harvested last fall.
Hook: 2xl nymph hook

Thread: 6/0 Uni Orange

Tail: Fox Squirrel Back Guard Hairs

Abdomen: Fox Squirrel Belly Fur Mixed w/ Fox Squirrel Belly Fur Colored Antron 

Ribbing: Copper Krystal Flash
Thorax:  Fox Squirrel Back Fur
Hackle: Partridge

The Casual Sparrow

This fly has carp nymph written all over it, but with its size and ability to simulate a sculpin I'm sure browns and bass would take it as a baitfish.  Oh!  What is that stuck in the corner of my mouth?  It's soft and chewy with a little bit of bite.

Nymph Box Porn

Well I figured I'd give a peek into my all purpose nymph box.  It is all purpose because it is the only one I carry.  However, most of the time if I'm fishing a nymph I'm going after trout.  I know, I know carp and bass eat nymphs too.  But, I can't resist throwing meat to my favorite warmwater fish.  I love watching carp get those "scared horse eyes" when they see a #4 long shank minnow float past them.  They'll move a long distance to suck those babies in.  (Some people don't believe me about this)

I haven't given much respect to the trout I like to catch yet.  Honestly, I just don't get to fish for them very much any more.  When I visit my parents in Central PA though it's game on, and usually Pheasant Tail on along with a big nasty nymph at the point.