More evidence for Zoo Plankton - Report

[steelhead86]

Have known for a very long time the real key to
successful Steelhead fly fishing are fly patterns
that actually imitate a natural food source. These
type of patterns can trigger a feeding response.
Feeding responses will always come before a
territorial or defensive response.

Silverfly sent me a recipe for a simple pattern
that he came up with that imitates Krill (Zoo Plankton).
I picked up some material and buzzed some up. Simple
pattern that is sparsely dressed with the correct
concept.

Well - headed out today and I decided to stick with
Silverfly's pattern until running out of them. Got
a fish (Steelie) within 30 minutes. Ended up landing
2 natives and 1 hatchery fish with the simple
Krill pattern.

After running out of Silverfly's pattern switched back
to the SS pattern and guess what - more fish! Even in
poor river conditions.

If you match the hatch properly prior to presenting
a fly - your odds just increased tremendously!

It was really nice to be able to get into some fish
with someone else's fly pattern!

:cheers:

[Cliff]

could you send me the ss pattern and the krill pattern please? or maybe post a pic? Thanks!

[SilverFly]

Way to go steelhead86!

Thanks for giving it a shot. The only thing I like better than hearing about (or seeing someone) catch a fish on my flies is catching one myself. I think zooplankton flies can really be the ticket to catching supposedly "lockjawed" fish. In particular, unaggressive hatchery fish that have had all the "biters" selected out of the gene pool (of course they work pretty good on the natives too!).

Hatchery fish NEED to be harvested and these flies (yours included!) are powerful weapons to be added to a steelheader's arsenal, - which is why I've always shared the pattern freely.

So might as well let the cat out of the bag and post the pattern, - here it is:

<font color="red">
Red Krill:

Hook: TMC 105 glo-bug, size 6. (Scud hooks or Mustad caddis/shrimp hooks also work well).
Body: Brite Blend Red dubbing mix by Spirit River.
Tail: Flame red marabou, (spikey feather tip stuff).
Thread: Red.

Start by tying in a SPARSE tail of red marabou fibers approximately 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch long. Tie the tail so it is coming off the hook just past where the shank starts to bend. This gives the tail a slight angle with respect to the hook shank and an overall "bent" look to the fly. Next dub a sparse, tapered body using the Brite Blend mix. Start out dubbing slightly thicker at the base of the tail (head of the krill) and taper out evenly to the eye of the hook and whip finish. Last step is to carefully pick out some "legs". The dubbing mix has thin mylar filaments that work well for this. I pick out legs on the side facing the hook point and pick out more towards the tail. This gives a real "shrimpy" look.

Note: the "tail" actually simulates the antennae, so the "head" would be at the base of the tail, not the eye of the hook.

I have tied some versions with bead chain or burnt mono eyes and a shell back, but this simple version has worked the best by far. Also, marabou can be substituted with hackle fibers or hair in the same color (goat hair or bucktail works well).
</font>

I believe what you are saying about feeding responses is correct, - especially if you are triggering a response that has been "programmed" by thousands of repetitions at sea.

I used to doubt that a saltwater imitation would work in freshwater, - but then I realized that steelhead have never taken a marine biology class!

Thanks again and looking forward to seeing some pics!

-SF.

[Ryan Pultz]

Can we get a pic of one of them flies. I am so much better at making one up if I can see it first rp

[steelhead86]

I put some pics under my gallery (Steelhead86) on
this site with some fish and the flies they where
caught on. The Passion fly, Reflector, and Sharp
Steelie all imitate forms of zoo plankton and worm
larvae from the ocean. I just recently received a
post card from a gent that was on vacation in
San Diego CA. He was catching surf perch and skates
with the red SS fly in the ocean - be willing to
bet SF's will also work.

On SF's fly, I added a few red saddle hackle fibers
for the legs. I'm sure with the type of material
for the body that was not necessary - you can pick
some out for the legs just as he said.

Not sure what type of set up SF has, but will post
a pic of his fly when I get some film developed -
please be patient, have half a roll to go.

:cheers:

Pink SS fly:

http://img48.photobucket.com/albums/v148/Steelhead86/Smile.jpg

[Musicman]

http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/medium/4846Dsc00241
Hope this makes it if not then can someone download it for me? This fly flat our works!!!!!!! Steelhead86, this is Silverflys fly that you're waiting for the pics on. Happen to have a few.

[lilnorthfork]

silverfly 100 free flies special (http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/medium/4846Dsc00241.jpg)
reflector (http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/medium/6441The_Reflector_edited.jpg)
red sharp steelie (http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/medium/6441Red_Sharp_Steelie_edited.jpg)
green sharp steelie (http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/medium/6441Green_Sharp_Steelie_edited1.jpg)
passion fly (http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/medium/6441Passion_Fly_edited.jpg)

[Musicman]

LnF, I can't take credit for the fly, it's my buds design. He goes by Silverfly, he'll have to name it...well SS what's it going to be? You should take suggestions and the best one gets 100 flies? Sounds kinda fun!

[Cliff]

do you guys use sink-tips? or spilt shots?

[SilverFly]

steelslayer, - It might sound like fun if you don't have to tie up a hundred flies! I'll come up with something better than "Red Krill" eventually. So let me guess, you were trying to download a pic of that hatchery fish you got on it last week when I got skunked?! :wink: - Go ahead, rub it in! Too bad the second fish you got was an unclipped hatchery (some people seem to be better at catching fish on it than I do).

Cliff, I'm not sure how steelhead86 is fishing them, - I suspect on a dead drift or slooow swing, either on a sinktip or with some shot. I've been fishing frog water using a sinking line and a strip/pause retrieve.

LnF, - thanks for posting the pics!

-SF

[steelhead86]

The fish I got yesterday on SF's pattern was
at the end of the swing in a moderate current.
The tail/antennia on the ones I tied up was
just a little shorter and I used a Targus 2457
hook. My bet is, this is another pattern that
does not have to be perfect to be effective.

Yesterday was using a sink tip because of the
conditions - also use a floating line with a
long leader. I don't use any split shot - takes
away from a good presentation in my opinion.

Also going to try SF's pattern out on some other
rivers (as long as there are actually fish in
them)

:cheers:

[Musicman]

Silverfly, I was actually trying to post a pic of the krill fly that you see in this post. That's the pic i took. Just couldn't get it to load, stupid thing. Good fly, also I meant to say 10 flys, 100 was a typo. How'd you do today, PM me and i'll share my adventure with you.

John

PS. Don't be so modest about how well u do..I just get lucky, we both know you're the better fishermen. :angel:

[Cliff]

you guys catch a bunch of trout on those? they seem really small? Thanks for the pics, ill be tying some up soon...
Cliff

[steelhead86]

Cliff - so far the Sharp Steelie flies have caught
all kinds of stuff:

Light pink: All pacific salmonoids, All trout in the
NW (except Golden - so far), White fish, River Chubs
(suckers), Sun fish, Carp, Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass,
*********, and even a lamprey. How the heck a lamprey was
hooked in the mouth with a fly - have no clue! That one
had to be an accident.

Red: All pacific salmonoids, Surf perch, and skates.

Green: All pacific salmonoids (except winter run
Steelhead)

White: Winter and Summer Steelhead, Rainbow and Cuttthroat
trout, White fish, and the NW Golden Bonefish (River Chub/
sucker)

This info is from reports, friends, and fish that I
have personally caught.

Would be willing to bet that SF's pattern will work
on all Pacific Salmonoids and possibly some salt
water species. Whenever I get the chance will put
his fly in front of some other species. I know he
has got Coho's on it also.

Here is the real beauty: They are simple, easy and
quick to tie, don't worry about losing them
(SF's pattern also). And they really work! Have a
feeling the list will keep growing.


:cheers:

[Cliff]

ok. thank you for all the info! I will try them out soon! Thanks again.

Cliff

[steelhead86]

Just got a great report from another fly angler
on the OP. He landed 1 Native and 2 Hatcheries
in just a few hours of fishing. All 3 where on the
SS fly. He promised to send me some pics - Yahoo!

:dance: :cheers: