Wolfgang wrote:

Interesting that G.J.Z, Myron and you are all talking about deer hair
skaters and provide illustrations that show three entirely different flies.
The first thing that popped into my mind on seeing yours was "muddler." If
memory serves, there are references to using a muddler as a dry fly in the
literature. I've tried it myself with small ones but without notable
success. As a matter of fact, I've never had much luck with muddlers at
all, regardless of how, when or where I've used them.....despite glowing
reports from many others. Go figure.


I have done well fishing for LM Bass with Muddlers, but I don't remember
catching any trout with them. Perhaps because there are other go to
patterns that get down faster.

Regarding the deer hair caddis. One of my favorite flies for fishing
turbulent mountain streams is the Goddard Caddis, aka G&H Sedge. It
seems to be an irresistible temptation for less educated mountain trout,
but is probably laughed at on waters that see more pressure. Vaughan's
link resembles that pattern and it definitely could be used for skating.

Crane flies seem to be the only other dry pattern I can think of that
actually needs some action. A tactic for lake fishing in the UK is to
tie on a "Daddy Long Legs" and strip it in fast. I also was shown a
similar tactic on the Beaverhead, MT, chucking a big Crane fly to the
bank and lifting the rod to the vertical to impart the action. The guide
counted over 100 fish that moved to that pattern that day.

Gary