Krill Flies??

[Hardware]

So I am suspecting that a lot of people are catching a lot of fish in a lot of flat water on those krill flies. But who has CONSISTENTLY caught fish in a classic steelhead traditional swing type run??

I'm going to take a week off the Deschutes and tie some flies up. Thinking about shifting gears for a while and trying those flies.

I know the theory behind them, but then I also like watching the fish move 20 feet to hit something they have never seen or eaten before in their lives. I'm thinking a blend of traditional steelhead fly and krill pattern might be in order! :tongue: :idea:

[steelhead86]

Hardware - I very rarely ever fish still water, not
my style. Fish do move to the SS, Passion, Reflector
patterns for sure! Also got fish on Silverfly's krill
pattern in moving water - not sure if the fish
moved to it. Have also got fish on my patterns in
still water when I have tried it.

:cheers:

[Hardware]

Hey you want to swap some flies, I can send some of my fav deschutes steelhead flies? Hard to get a good idea from the photos for me it's easier to tie by looking at the real thing.

I like your biological approach!

[steelhead86]

Hardware - if we (Ifish folks) can set something
up here in the next couple weeks - will be happy
to embarrass myself and show everyone how I tie
them and some other patterns that I stick with.

If we don't get date set up soon - be happy to
swap some flies with you. Figure, better save
some material/hooks!

:cheers:

[SilverFly]

Hardware,

My experience with the krill pattern is it works as well or better than any fly I've tried in the places I fish it, but it doesn't work ALL the time. 2 of those locations are frogwater situations where the fish seem to be extremely picky. Last week I got out for a few hours and nailed a nice steelhead and a fat coho. Went back to the same place yesterday and was shot down by the 'ho's. I switched to several other patterns without success, and think I missed one good take which was on the krill. This has happened to me enough times that I fish the krill fly in excess of 90% at this location.

I'm not too sure how well a "mixed" pattern would work. I'm pretty well convinced that the krill pattern is tapping into a heavily reinforced, low-energy feeding response that is easier to activate in unagressive fish. Fish that will move 20 feet to take a fly are aggressive fish that probably don't care what fly you throw at them. I have tied larger versions of the krill pattern with not nearly the same success. It seems that once the pattern exceeds a certain size threshold, it's effectiveness drops off dramatically, at least with regards to unaggressive fish.

The take is also dramatically different in that they move a short distance (3 or 4 feet tops), and calmly INHALE the fly. I have had fish swallow this fly and not just steelhead (this happens to steelhead86 also). They also hang onto it so long I never have to set the hook.

By all means give them a shot on the Deschutes. I'm sure I've caught plenty of Deschutes steelhead on it (long before they've made it to the Deschutes!). I would say that if you swing thru a run that you know holds fish without any takes, then fish it thru again with the krill fly. I would expect that you would need to slow it down and "put it in there face" for it to be most effective.

The biggest mistake I've made with the pattern is tying it too large or not sparse enough.

Good luck and let us know how you do!

-SF.

[SSPey]

I would expect that you would need to slow it down and "put it in there face" for it to be most effective.



this is true with any fly ..

but at some point you must confront the choice of covering a lot of water in hopes of locating agressive fish and learning their preferred lies versus pounding on a few fish that you've located and learning less of the river.

dry flies are fun for locating agressive fish :yay:

[SilverFly]

I couldn't agree more about dries or waking flies being the ultimate way to catch a steelhead :grin:.

Unfortunately, it seems that finding aggressive fish responsive to those techniques is becoming increasingly difficult. This is especially (or exclusively?) true for hatchery fish.

Going dry, waking, or swinging is fine if you want to CnR aggressive (primarily wild) fish and cover a lot of water. The problem is when you want to target hatchery fish. They seem to require a more persistant and "personal" approach.

I think the main reason for this is that the biters are being selectively removed from the hatchery gene pool and become less aggressive with each generation. Since we need to harvest as many hatchery fish as possible, this creates a dilemma. One way around this is to tap into a less aggressive feeding response by using much smaller flies and a slower presentation. The tricky part is drawing the line between a thorough/methodical presentation, and harassment.

Too bad the hatchery biologists can't develop a strain of suicidal dry fly biters!

-SF

[Stew]

How about this one?

http://www.ifish.net/gallery/uploads/1882/AAAKrill.jpg

[SilverFly]

Looks realistic to me! If I didn't know better I'd say you've been downloading plankton "****" :laugh: !

The eyes and coloration are accurate. The pics I've found of krill show a lot of orangish or peach tones in addition to the red. I'd fish it as is, and if you don't have any luck tie it more sparse. The flies I tie are so skinny and sparse, I'm amazed every time I catch a steelhead or salmon on one (especially when they're over 20lbs :grin:).

So Stew, can I assume you're interested in joining the "plankton fly cult"? :wink:

Thanks for posting. It's a great looking fly!

-SF.

BTW, what did you use for the eyes and shellback material?

[steelhead86]

Hey Stew - I would try that one. If I tied that one
up myself would make it a little thinner and more
sparse. It has good colors that are not too loud
so to speak.

Think like a fish; think natural!

:cheers:

[AndyK]

Are those eyes or is it just a male shrimp?

[Stew]

Those flies were tied by a guy up in Tukwila Washington so if any of you want his name then shoot me a pm. They look pretty easy to tie actually


Are those eyes or is it just a male shrimp?



Andy :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

[lilnorthfork]

I suspect the clanging could grab their attention.

[Hardware]

Looks like you could put some sauce on those and barbecue them up! Yum!