Rocky Mountain Whitefish Tool Kit

These three simple nymph patterns are winners when I step into the Red Deer River to nymph , either with an indicator or euro nymph set up for rocky mountain whitefish! I love to fish with two nymphs at a time. I sometimes try three but I usually get tangled. Rainbow Warriors size 16, Wiggle Worms (my design) and Frenchies size 14 are my go to patterns. Lance Egan is the originator of both the Frenchie and the Rainbow Warrior. Both great nymphs that rocky mountain whitefish love. Of course these three patterns are excellent for browns, cutthroat and rainbows. Be sure you have these three patterns with you when you step into the Red Deer River targeting whitefish!

I look for riffle type water when I fly fish for rockies!

Below is how I tie up a Wiggle Worm. There are lots of variations of this pattern around but I have settled on this design for now.

I use UTC 140 so I do not cut the squirmy worm material.

Tying the Balanced Silver Minnow

As I stumbled to the coffee pot this morning, the mercury was a frigid -12C. I had to look twice. Crazy cold this morning! Yesterday, I had a few hours before our house was invaded by my grandsons and their families, so I decided to tie up some Balanced Silver Minnows. I use this pattern a lot on the Red Deer River for walleye. I have had excellent success using this pattern for lake walleye and lake trout as well! You will see that I use a rabbit strip for the tail. Marabou works great too! The body is simply silver minnow dubbing and I add stick on eyes although that is probably mostly for me!

I get lots of questions about fishing this little gem. I dangle it below a strike indicator and jig it. There are places on the Red Deer River where I put it from 7-10 down. I look for structure. Rock piles, drop offs and riffle water are excellent places to look! The hits are so light too! A bump or the indicator just stopping means, set the hook!  I bet this balanced minnow would work great on the Bow River too!

Build some chassises! I like sizes 4 to 8 jig hooks, a brat nail and a 5/32nd tungsten bead!

Add the rabbit strip tail

Form a dubbing loop and add the silver minnow dubbing. Twist it up and wrap on the shank of the hook!

Add the eyes (optional)

 

Happy Thanksgiving

 Hi Everyone!

I am very thankful to be a Canadian. This weekend we are celebrating Thanksgiving! Last night a cold front rolled in and dropped our beautiful autumn weather temperatures to the freezing level. Burr! Rainfall turned to snow and just like that my lawn is white with snow. The snow definitely will not stay but it feels like fly tying season is right around the corner!

I am very thankful for my family although we have had a tough last year because of losing several family members. I raise my coffee and say good morning to my dad, who passed away a little more than a year ago on a daily basis! I miss him. Karen talks to her mom who passed away recently as well!

This morning, I am tying some Balanced Silver Minnows for the walleye on the Red Deer River. 

I am looking forward to seeing all of our close family to celebrate Thanksgiving! I hope you have the chance to cross paths with your family too!

Stay warm. 

Bob and Karen