GM wrote:
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



FWIW, I saw the version Myron posted and the one I posted a link to as variations on a theme and as
the streaking caddis is the common variant in these parts I assumed it was the pattern Myron had
acquired while here - but perhaps I was wrong. Either way, I agree with the suggestion that it has a
lot of muddler genes in its ancestry, and I have on many occasions used a greased muddler as a night
surface fly for trout and grayling, with good results. The streaking caddis is also perhaps fished
more as late evening fly but also brings up good fish during the daytime in summer, even on sunny
days. Perhaps our fish are not so edumacated but it would surprise me if these large, actively
fished flies would not work for trout anywhere there were big caddis about.

/Vaughan