Mercer's Poxyback Hares ear

Mercer's Poxyback Hares ear

As with all fishing there are numerous thoughts regarding philosophy, strategy, and methods of pursuit……….. In my mind, the application of these thoughts is in a perpetual state of change. It must be so, for in fishing, no two days are exactly the same.

Girdle Bug Variation

Girdle Bug Variation

As many of you know, I generally fish a two fly rig with a strike indicator (Bentleys Balls, Steelhead size, buy them here!). This rigging is fished with a dead drift presentation casting up stream or up and across. I will regularly check the swing when this rig is fished down stream.

BH Halfback

BH Halfback

This post is about the first fly in the two fly rig that I fish most often. These examples make up a reliable selection of flies for the Brule River for the way I fish. Please make note that there are many other flies that can fit this bill, but these are some of my confidence flies that have produced fish in the past. These flies may also be fished as single flies.

PM Stone

PM Stone

Over the years I have seen many anglers fly fishing on the Brule River. Most anglers I have encountered have been kind enough to engage in conversation while fishing for steelhead. These conversations take place when the action is slow for an extended period of time or if an angler just recently landed a fish or two and no one was around to see them. Most anglers find it difficult to contain their emotions when one of these gigantic trout just happens to grace the the bag of their net. The urge to tell someone,,,, anyone,,, is just too great a celebration to pass up! This exchange of conversation usually leads to the first question, “what did you catch it on?” This many times leads to the opening of fly boxes and the trading of patterns or at least information.

Bloody Prince

Bloody Prince

Trial and error have lead me to some of these bugs and other anglers have gifted me a pattern or two as well.

Black Stone

Black Stone

Golden Stone

Golden Stone

These flies are all size #12 or larger. I will change my trail fly at least 4 times to every one change of my lead fly.

X-legs Variation

X-legs Variation

My lead fly will always be larger and heavier than my trail fly.

BH Hares Ear Soft Hackle

BH Hares Ear Soft Hackle

Make sure you get to the bottom sometimes. Add weight and adjust depth constantly.

BH Gray Goat Soft Hackle

BH Gray Goat Soft Hackle

The next post will be about trail flies.