louis Posted May 6, 2009 Report Posted May 6, 2009 Author with 22lb. common caught on a “bread fly” while stalking the margins. Photo by the “carpist”. Fly fishing is a sport that is rich in tradition. Proven techniques, equipment, and fly patterns have been utilized effectively for years. As much as tradition is a part of fly fishing, exploring new materials, techniques, and patterns is what excites many anglers. Creating new patterns utilizing traditional and modern materials is a very rewarding experience. Carp offer the modern fly angler an opportunity to be creative, and develop unique fly patterns specific to their quarry. Many fly standards such as crayfish, nymph, and streamer patterns can effectively take fish. These patterns are also readily available in fly shops across the globe. Bait anglers know the effectiveness of such baits as corn, trout pellets, animal chow, bread, nuts, and grains. The creative fly tier can mimic these baits using the vast array of materials available today. In order to look at some of these patterns, let me break them down into two categories; surface, and sub-surface. Surface Fly Patterns An assortment of carp flies tied by the author. Clock wise beginning at the top: Bread fly; Corn fly; Pellet fly and Glo-bug. Fishing for carp on the water’s surface can be one of the most exciting techniques for fly, and bait anglers alike. Watching a carp rise to your offering, take, and then disappear in a boil is very exhilarating. Floating baits such as bread, pellets, dog chow, grains, and berries can offer some great surface action. These baits can be effectively copied by fly tiers using buoyant materials such as deer / elk body hair, various bird feathers, and synthetics. Deer and elk body hair are hollow allowing them to trap air inside, which allows patterns made from them to float high on the surface of the water. Various bird feathers also help to create effective surface patterns, especially those created from waterfowl due to their naturally oily coating. Cul De Canard (CDC) feathers collected from the rump area of a duck are extremely buoyant, and can be used to create some wonderful top water patterns. Many synthetic materials are available today, and offer fly tiers wonderful versatility. Many of these synthetic materials are buoyant. The addition of liquid fly floatant (generally silicone based) will also assist fly patterns in riding on the surface. Sub-surface Fly Patterns Basic fly tying materials including synthetic yarns, chenille, thread, bobbin, head cement and hooks. Flies that are presented below the surface of the water are very effective, as this is where the carp encounters most of its food sources. Many of the same patterns, and materials used in the creation of surface flies, can be utilized in making sub-surface patterns. This can be achieved by the use of heavy wire hooks, or the addition of lead or weighted beads to the hook shank. The addition of materials that absorb water or the application of a wetting agent to a fly will promote rapid water absorption, causing the fly to sink. In deep or moving water situations, the use of a sink tip fly line will help keep your offering below the surface. When creating new patterns, keep in mind that making an exact replica is not always important. Pay close attention to the proportion, and silhouette of the pattern that you are tying. Fish will often time key in on the impression that an object makes on the water’s surface, or the size of a particular food source. Most important is to just have fun, and experiment. Fly tying is a great hobby, and catching fish on a pattern that you have created is very rewarding. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tying the Bread Fly: Attach white thread on the hook shank just before the bend. Tie in a length of white synthetic (Glo-bug) yarn. Wrap a base of thread forward to just behind the eye of the hook. Now wrap the yarn forward forming a “body” and tie it in just behind the hook eye. Pull the tag end of the yarn back over the body forming a “wing” and apply several wraps of thread over the yarn just behind the eye of the hook. This will build a “head” which will help hold the “wing” down over the body. This step helps to make the fly a little bit more aerodynamic! Trim the “wing” to just behind the bend of the hook. Tie off the thread and trim. Apply a coat of cement to the head to secure the wraps. This fly will initially float, but as it becomes saturated it will sink very slowly. It has been effective for me on the surface as well as sinking slowly through the water column.
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