"Larry L" wrote


One of last season's greatest highlights for me occurred on the Henry's
Fork just above the log jam.


I'm bored this morning, it's still sprinkling outside and I'm a little cabin
bound, so here is another story I just remembered from my distant FFing
past.

Scene: Manzanita Lake in Lassen National Park

Time: Years and years ago, just about the time I started to really get
interested in real "fly" ( as in bug) fishing as opposed to the Royal Wulff
and Wooly Bugger version G


I fished the first morning of a three day trip and did poorly before
the calibaetis started. There was an early midge hatch that had good fish
working but I couldn't touch them. I seined the bug and it was a bright
insect green midge about an 18 or so. In the trailer that afternoon I
tied up a few Lasher patterns in the correct color.

The next morning, during the midge action, I could take fish at
will, they loved my tie. Two anglers were tubing near me, tossing buggers
and fishless. Finally one kicked over near my pram and asked what I was
using. I looked and had two flies left, three counting the one on my leader
and it was getting badly torn up. I pulled out one and offered it, "I only
have one I can give you, sorry. JUST grease the deer hair part, the rest
should sink below the film. If you can tell which way the fish is cruising
put it out in front of him and just let it sit, no movement."

He took the fly and paddled back near his friend. I could hear
their conversation as he changed tippet and tied on the fly, "He said it is
a 'midge emerger' and to grease only the one part and let the rest sink."
The buddy, "Oh that 'emerger' **** is all crap, just stick with a wooly
bugger."

Almost exactly as that last sentence reached me the first cast was
made ... fish ON !! And then the moment I remember as worth more than
any fly as the angler with my pattern said, "Well, it may be crap, but it
sure works!!! " G