The Fish’s “Window” and Fly Design (#1)
A fly in-the-hand and a fly on-the-water may be two different things (at least to the fish). Below are a few shots showing a real Hexagenia mayfly dun just outside the edge of the fish’s window (photo taken via a slant tank), and the insect just inside the fish’s window (the brown area outside the window is a reflection of the bottom of the tank). Below that is a fly pattern that has proven effective for imitating these mayflies, again shown just outside/just inside the edge of the window.
The idea here is to provide an alternate perspective when it comes to fly designing/buying. Anything jump out at you when you see these shots? I’m thinking surface impression, shape/anatomy, and color (and I’m relieved that trout aren’t too picky). How about you? (And yes, I really need to build a new slant tank for more of these shots. And yes, I was supposed to do it last spring for those of you who have been reading this blog for a while).
Above: (top) The real deal. (bottom) The fake (but you already guessed that, I hope).
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hi Jason !
just goes to show once again that however we may think that a fly resembles a real insect, it just doesn’t…
this ever ending conundrum of trying to outwit a creature with a pea-sized brain is fascinating though.
always makes me wonder which one, the angler or the fish, has the pea-sized brain ;-)
anyhow, what stands out most to me is the wing-post. of all the other elements it’s the least realistic, or rather, most out of place.
cheers,
marc
Marc—I think that your comment on the wing-post brings up another interesting aspect of fly design. The fly pattern shown has proven to be a solid performer (indeed, it is essentially a Comparadun-style fly), so what gives?
Could it be that the “wrong” wing profile stands out a bit, and may be effective simply because of that (especially in a heavy hatch)? Could it be that the “wrong” wing profile (more visible, or more obvious) means that the wing actually triggers a stronger response (a “trigger” or “super-trigger” mechanism, which leads back toward the previous question)? Could it be that the “wrong” wing profile (perhaps indicating a crippled, or partly emerged insect) means that the fly represents an easy catch (following the predatory approach of “Go for the young, the old, and the infirm”)? Could it be that the “wrong” wing profile matters less than the “right” surface impression outside the window (and how long is the fish getting a good look at the wing)? And, could it be that the “wrong” wing profile just doesn”t matter that much to fish that are up and looking for meat? ;-) Theories have abounded about all of the above questions, that’s one thing that certainly is for sure!
As for me? Well, when it comes to mayflies, I do tend to like patterns that have a more realistic surface impression/profile (I like yarn, sail and loop-wing types of dun designs, for instance), but I have fished enough to know that a plain-old Adams Parachute can take plenty of tough fish, too (and that’s another entire post or series of posts)…
hi Jason,
i’ll just take a lackadaisical approach to all that and just say yes to them all !
the best part in all this is we’ll never know, and that’s good.
cheers,
marc
Marc—Yes, a bit of mystery is not always a bad thing in fly fishing…