Duct Tape-A Stillwater Fly Fisherman's Best Friend

I always get a laugh out of the names that John Kent gives to flies. These flies are called Duct Tape. Named after Red Green. (from the television show) Steve Smith, aka Red Green, always reminded all men out there that Duct Tape was a man's best friend! Often bloodworms are targeted  by trout. Throat samples can show that the bloodworms are often red or green and at times, a combination of both colours. John designed this bloodworm pattern two ways. One with red holographic tinsel with mirage opal tinsel over olive (or watery olive UTC thread), while the other version had holographic red tinsel with olive or water olive thread with no mirage opal tinsel over top. I have seen the effectiveness with this pattern. The key for success is getting the fly real close to the bottom where the bloodworms are!  If surface water temperatures are climbing up, try using a Duct Tape right on the bottom. Early in the season, tie one on that is small-size 16 and as the season progresses, tie them size 14, 12 and 10. I have encountered gigantic bloodworms in throat samples at times.

Duct Tape (John Kent originator)

Hook: Daiichi 1760-sizes 16-10

Thread: olive and red UTC 70

Rib: silver wire, small

Bead: Red

Body; Red Holographic Tinsel, medium, mirage opal tinsel, medium, thread

 

Rusty Nail-One of My "Go To" Chironomids

I have posted about the Rusty Nail Chironomid before, but it is well worth reminding everyone of its effectiveness. Take a look!

Rusty Nail-John Kent originator

Thread: Wine UTC 70

Hook: Daiichi 1760-sizes 12-14

Bead: White 7/64ths or 3/32nds

Body: Mirage Opal Tinsel, medium

Rib: Mahogany Micro Tubing

Tying Note: After laying a tapered layer of wine UTC 70 thread, wrap the rib, then wrap the mirage tinsel in between the ribs. It is easier to control the micro tubing which can slip on top of mirage opal tinsel!

 John Kent's Rusty Nail Chironomid is always in my lake fly box. On the Central Alberta pot hole lakes and further abroad; the Rusty Nail just plain works during chironomid hatches. I remember an epic day a few years ago at Dickson Trout Pond when there was a carpet chironomid hatch. We all tied on a Rusty Nail chironomid and had an exceptional afternoon of fly fishing. I highly recommend having lots of Rusty Nails in your chironomid box!

You can purchase Mahogany Micro Tubing from Bob Eden's business, Stream Weaver Flies.

The boat launch was covered with chironomid shucks!

The Gulls were plucking chironomid adults off of the surface.

The swallows were gorging on chironomids

Emerging chironomids and adult chironomids

Filling in the Lake Boxes

Happy Easter everyone! It has been a snowy last few days and the added moisture is definitely welcome and needed. I hope we get a lot more. Our pot hole lakes as well as Sylvan Lake and Gull Lake are down in water volume.

I have finally started to fill in several of my fly boxes. I have been focussing on the basics that I use a lot!

Chromies, black and red ice cream cone chironomids as well as olive and copper chironomids. My "go to" balanced leech pattern is a Tokaryk Special 2.0 and I have learned that Brian Chan's Baby Damsel tied balanced is a very effective pattern here in Central Alberta.

Ice off is not too far away. I have some work to do to ensure my fly boxes are ready for spring!