One of my most successful fly patterns over my years spent fishing in stillwater in the lakes, reservoirs, and, ponds of the Rocky Mountain region is the Stayner Ducktail. I have written and told of past successes on previous blog posts pertaining to the Stayner Ducktail. I doubt you will find me at any time without a Stayner Ducktail or two or three in my fly boxes. Often, I have a box just for this fly pattern. The pattern was originally tied to represent the Perch that were popular in a local Idaho reservoir. The late, Ruel Stayner, had no idea he had created a legend on the lake fishing scene. This pattern has been a champion on Rainbow Trout, Cutthroat Trout, and, Brook Trout. It even goes to the warmwater circle also. Panfish love it, and, I would never fish a Smallmouth water without some Stayner Ducktails and a good strong shoulder that can take a pounding from the aggressive takes of this fly. It has since been fished all over the world. I could tell stories of fellow anglers in Russia, Argentina, New Zealand etc. who have been introduced to this pattern and its success. Anyhow, recently I was asked to tie up a few in jig form by some guys who fish out here in the Rockies, These guys have seen the Stayner Ducktail do its job in fly form. Since they fish with spinning gear and a little heavier line than the fly folks among us, they wanted to know if I thought a Stayner in jig form would work. I have tied them, sent them off to be fished, and, will be flabbergasted if I get a negative response on it. I just can't imagine it not being a classic jig either............................... Here are my tying instructions for this pattern in Jig form. I will get around to putting it up in fly form once again, perhaps after the holidays. I am active at the fly tying bench as we speak. Fish on my friends...........................................
Jig Head - In this case, Round jig head 1/8 oz - 1/32 oz. Orange and Chartreuse. Tail - Hot Orange Marabou - length equal to shank of hook behind jig head. Body - Olive size medium chenille - Hint: Many of the New Age chenille colors work well, also Rib - Either a fine Holographic Gold Tinsel or size small gold wire. Beard/Wing - Orange Marabou pinched off to show just a tuft of Marabou for highlight purposes. Wing
- Mallard Flank feather. Tip: Turn the jig over in your vise and tie
the Mallard Flank so that it extends rearward past bend of hook, but,
not longer than the tail. Use the Mallard Flank attached to the stem.
Equal barbules on each side. “Do Not” take fibers off the stem and tie
them in. Wing is more stable when tied by the stem technique and much
easier to work with also. Finish by using Sally Hansen Hard
As Nails, or your favorite head cement, applying to the area just behind
the jig head and very base of the Mallard Flank feather for more
stability.
Once this time of the year rolls around and fishing opportunities get a little tougher for me due to colder weather, and creaky ol' bones, I begin my seasonal immersion into increased time at my fly tying desk. Actually, I do try to tie year round. But there are times when I am more focused on fly tying than on fishing. Mid-November through February of the following year has always been time for me to really focus on tying flies to load the empty spots in my fly boxes. I usually do some sorting of flies in my boxes, discard a few that have seen better days, and, lay out some sort of plan to re-stock my favorite patterns in differing colors and sizes. Yup, it is an immersion into fly tying that I love equal to my time on the water any more.
With all that said, I spent some time at the vise recently tying up some jig patterns for members of my family who don't fly fish. Kind of like "getting Jiggy with fly tying". I thought I would share a couple of these patterns over the next couple of posts with my readers. Tying these patterns jig style or fly style both work. Tell me what you think. I am interested in all feedback.
Let's start with a jig I called "The Hot Pink Icy".
Reel fisher folk fish Pink. Pink is a color often overlooked on patterns while we tie at the vise. Here is a tying recipe for the Hot Pink Icy!
Jig Head - 1/16 oz. Round Jig Head - I prefer Pink
Tail - Hot Pink Marabou approximately the length of the hook shank behind the the jig head.
Body - Ice Dubbing Tied in a dubbing loop and wound forward to an area just short of the jig head.
Flash - Flashabou Tinsel folded in half and tied down going rearward. Extend to rear of Marabou tail.
Finish
- With a couple of more wraps of Ice Dubbing wrapping tightly up to
back of jig head. Whip finish knot, cut thread, and fish on!
This particular jig is fished by the ice fisherman, winter stream fisherman, and, in lakes at ice off time in the very early Spring. It is a Rainbow Trout favorite, Steelhead exciter, and, even a Panfish favorite when the warm water on the ponds come back to us.
Obviously, if you want to fish this pattern with a fly rod, tie it on a standard 3xlong streamer type hook and use a beadhead or a conehead to create some dipping and jigging action.
A look outside this morning found a good solid frost awaiting all the early risers in my neighborhood. Didn't bother taking any pictures of my neighbors scraping windshields. Instead, I settled into the first pot of hot coffee. My soul reminded me that on mornings like this, it prefers coffee to scraping windows. I pondered on where did my time go this Summer and Fall.
The last time I was on the water and enjoy some fishing was early in July. Reading my previous post will enlighten those that don't know what has happened since then. Making "Family First" makes for a good feeling in Gramps soul..................... No fishing, but, did have some time to tie a little at my vise. Nothing spectacular or new for that matter, but, satisfying for me. In this manner, I was sort of able to keep fishing in the back of my mind. However, time has come for me to get a balance on life again! Even if it is fairly late in the fishing year, it is time for me to focus on what fishing means to me. I came across a couple of pieces of wisdom that kind of sparked the fire again. I wanted to share them with my readers and see if they spark your interest, too.
My daughter sent this piece of wisdom to me through Facebook. It sums up why I have this life long interest in fishing and why, even if I have to take some time off once in awhile, fishing is at the core of my soul.
Izacc Walton certainly could not have expressed better what is at the core of my fishing soul. I am so happy I have been able to be one of the wise men and not one of the fools.
With that, I feel my casting arm beginning to limber up and a Wooly Bugger about to jump from my box ready to give the local trout a go. Stocked Rainbow Trout do serve a purpose!
