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 Fly Tier: Mike McNulty |
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Tying Instruction : 1) Tie in thread at hook bend. 2) Dub a sparse body of squirrel fur. 3) Tie on partridge feather by the tip and make 1-2 turns of partridge. 4) Make small head and tie off. Note : I had the pleasure of fishing with Mike McNulty the other day. He stopped by my house to pick up some feathers and we ended up on Oatka creek for a few hours. We didn't fish the usual spots; Mike wanted to show me some new water. I hadn't fished this section of Oatka since I was a kid. We fished alone the entire time. Mike placed me on a run and stepped to one side. "There's a BIG one in their Andy!" I caught a small fish and looked below me to see mike in the next run down. "Are ya snagged on bottom, Mike?" I asked. As Mikes reel screamed at the fish's first run. " I wouldn't make a good guide." Mike said "No you wouldn't." I said. " I should have let you catch this fish." He said as he netted a football shaped, 14+ inch brown. "Go on, put your bobber right up next to the bank, there's another one in there." " That's a strike indicator you old fart!" That led into a discussion about Mike's dignity and my lack of moral fiber. Mike was swinging big wets; size #8, on 3X tippet, with 6 split shot and no strike indicator. He admits that it's not the most productive technique but it can catch the big ones. The fly on this page was the one Mike was using. It's easy to tie and when you lose a half dozen on the bottom you won't mind. The high sticking technique used with this type of rig takes some practice. Finding big fish takes even more practice. Mike is a seasoned angler who would have you believe that he doesn't catch that many fish. The next thing you know he's standing next to you with a screaming real and a rod bent in half. If you run into Mike on the river, stop and watch him, you're bound to learn something new. |
ã Andrew Cooper 2000 All rights reserved .