I invited a MKFF friend, Erik, down from Wyoming for the weekend to check out the Stagecoach Tailwaters. He arrived around 1 on Friday, so I suggested we hit up a newly thawed out part of the river close to my condo. I heard about pike in this area of the river; however, I had no I idea that the pike fishing was going to be as good as it was. We caught over 30 pike in total. Destroyed or lost over 10 streamers in the process. I eventually just tied on straight 20lb test to deal with the teeth on these fish. Any big streamer with movement attracted these pre-spawn predators.
Erik drove down from Jackson, WY for some trout fishing, he had no idea we would be throwing streamers for aggressive pike
On Saturday, we biked into the tailwaters in search of trout. The fishing was great, only 3 other anglers, but the fish have become extremely wary over the past month. When I first fished this section back in February, size 18 comapraduns were doing the trick. Now, I need size 20 and 22 RS2’s and CDC Emergers. We managed over 20 rainbows between the two of us. The best part came around 1 o’clock when it seemed every trout was methodically rising to small baetis. After 2:30, everything shutdown and the trout were completely inactive. My camera battery died early into the day, so I only have one picture from the trout fishing. It was an amazing day and we came home to a great corned beef, cabbage, and irish soda bread meal prepared by my wife Jess.
This guy destroyed my Bunny MuddlerHere’s looking at youGreat colorsThis tail gives the pike the ability to be the top predator in any watershedClamped down on my version of a Meal TicketThis guy tried to break him self off on a ice shelf we were standing onThe castThis was the largest pike of the dayMy first of the day before the camera diedMidge right on the noseGreat sight after a day of fishing! Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
The Half & Half fly is a must fly for any saltwater angler. This fly combines two of the most popular and deadly flies: Bob Clouser’s Clouser Minnow and Lefty Kreh’s Deciever. The fly has great movement from both the hackle in the back and the lead eyes in the front. The position of the lead dumbell eyes allow the hook to ride pointing up.
If I could only have one saltwater fly, this would be it. This fly can be fished in the salt or in fresh water. Last memorial day at Brant Lake, NY, I hooked up with pickerel, small and large mouth bass, trout, and crappie with a small all grey Half & Half. Many version exist and once you get the hang of it you can create your own to suit local baitfish conditions.
Here is a recipe for a simple Half & Half
Hook: Any Size
Thread: White Danville 210 Denier
Eyes: Red Lead Dumbbell
Tail: White Saddle Hackle
Body: White and Pink Bucktail
Step 1:
Start your tying thread at the eye of the hook and work to the half way point of the shank, then come back half way to the 3/4 position on the hook shank. Build up a small thread bump to put your dumbbell eyes.
Step 2:
Tie in your dumbbell eyes using figure eight wraps.
Step 3:
Work you tying thread to the back of the hook shank and tie in your saddle hackle. I used two saddle hackles but most used up to six. After you tie in and clip your saddle hackles, take your tying thread back up to the front of the hook shank.
Step 4:
Clip off a clump of white bucktail that is just a little less then the length from the hook eye to the end of the saddle hackles. Tie in the buck tail in front of the dumbbell eyes. Then bring your tying thread behind the dumbbell eyes and take a few wraps to bring down the bucktail behind the dumbbell eyes.
Step 5:
Take the fly out of the vise and put it back into the vise upside down. Clip a clump of colored bucktail that is same length as the first bunch. Tie in the clump in front of the dumbbell eyes. You don’t need to bring the tying thread all the way against the eyes. You want the space for the epoxy that will hold it all together and make it more durable in the salt.
Step 6:
Whip finish and apply epoxy in front and around the dumbbell eyes and then go fishing!
Finished Half & Half
Once you get the basic Half & Half down you can add flash and create different variations. This is a great saltwater and freshwater fly that has taken over 20 species of fish for me.
Baitfish Variation: Thread: White 210 Danville Eyes: Medium Red Dumbbell Tail: White Bucktail under white EP Fiber mixed with Krystal Flash and Flashabou Collar: White Bucktail under Blue Bucktail Topping: Peacock Herl Head: 30 minute EpoxyAnother Baitfish Variation: Thread: White 210 Danville Eyes: Medium Red Dumbbell Tail: White Bucktail under white EP Fiber under 3 Grizzle and White Saddle Hackles mixed with Krystal Flash and Flashabou Collar: Mixed Green EP Fibers Topping: Peacock Herl Throat: Red Krystal Flash Head: 30 minute EpoxyBaitfish Variation: Thread: White 210 Danville Eyes: Medium Red Dumbbell Tail: Chartreuse Bucktail under Chartreuse Saddle Hackle mixed with Krystal Flash and Flashabou Collar: White Bucktail and Chartreuse Bucktail Head: 30 minute EpoxyA skinny sand eel version: Thread: White 210 Danville Eyes: Medium Red Dumbbell Tail: White Bucktail under white EP Fiber mixed with Krystal Flash Collar: Red Bucktail with Chartreuse Bucktail Head: 30 minute Epoxy
So after last time into the Stagecoach tailwaters, I tied up half a dozen size 18 comparaduns. Well guess what, when I got to the tailwaters today, the fished wanted nothing to do with that fly. Luckily, I also tied up half a dozen RS2’s in size 20 black and olive. I fished only dries and the RS2’s accounted for all of my hookups. A dozen rainbows and one brookie, nice day on the river!
Smooth Glassy PocketsRainbow with my Orvis Access 4wt.
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