Fly Spotlight

Continuing with our theme of late here is the latest from the north vs. south fly spotlight! I'm bringing to everyones attention the EP Tarpon Streamer! Its super easy fly, easy with the help of EP 3D fibers.

Recipe:

Hook: TMC 811S 2-3/0

Thread: Danville's flat waxed - Black

Eyes: EP Eyes yellow/black

Body/Tail: EP 3D Fibers Purple into Black

Notes: Leave a lot of the shank bare or lightly covered in thread, the key is to leave the thin head because the rest of the body is so thick! Throw in a couple of strands of krystal flash here and there for a little extra pizz-azz! 

Baetis Sparkle Dun 

Courtesy of AmericanFlyFishing.com

"The Sparkle Dun is one of my favorite dry fly patterns when faced with glassy, clear water, and finicky fish. It is fished most effectively on the dead drift, and like most dry flies, try to get the fly to the fish before your line for the best results. It sits low in the water like the naturals, yet is still quite visible. The Sparkle Dun Baetis is shown here but by changing the color of the body and the size of the fly any hatch can be matched with this simple yet highly effective pattern."

Recipe:

Hook: TMC 100 sizes 14-26
Thread: Uni-Thread 8/0 Olive Dun
Wing: Short Fine Gray Deer Hair
Shuck: Olive Antron or Z-Lon
Abdomen: Gray Olive Superfine Dubbing
Thorax: Gray Olive Superfine Dubbing

Understanding Tarpon.

I have spent my entire life chasing trout, understanding trout, deciphering feeding patterns, learning the spawning cycles, the right fly patterns, how they react to certain climates and weather, and most importantly how to catch them. Now I feel like I'm standing on my head with one eye closed and no idea where to begin. 


I spent a lot of today chatting about Tarpon. About there feeding patterns and what they are looking for. The most important tip that I picked up today is that chances are the tarpon are not feeding. They are competitive eaters, they eat because they don't want their buddy swimming with them to get it before they do. 


Things I am thinking about when I am tying flies now. 


1. Color, what it appears to be in the water, the most important thing to think about is what the tarpon will perceive it as. I'm tying a variety of dark streamers right now, something similar to this EP tarpon streamer shown below.

2. Silhouette vs. Water depth. If you are fishing in the same water column depth as the tarpon throw a tall fly like an Enrico Puglesi Streamer. But, if you are fishing water where you are predominantly above or below the fish throw a crab pattern or something like it. The key is to get the fish's attention. 


Moral of the story, I have a lot to learn. I do however continue to watch videos like this to keep me pumped up about my next shot at a monster!