Flies The Old Timers Used

[tndulcimer]

Hello everyone, new to this forum and soon to be moving to the area (Cherokee Village). I currently fish in the Smokies and loved looking up and tying the fly patterns of the settlers in the mountains. What fly patterns were used in the Ozarks way back when? Would like to learn how to tye some of them. I just like keeping the old heritage alive, even if it is just by tying some old pattern flies.

[Greasy B]

I think the original Wooly Worm is an Ozark creation. Old timers would fish it with a spinner.

[Wayne SW/MO]

If think the original Wooly Worm is an Ozark creation. Old timers would fish it with a spinner.

It was called a Speed Spinner and they were made using a snap swivel and a blade, gold was the only color that I knew of. Black and yellow marabous were very popular also.

The Adams and the Royal Coachmen were used and most nymphs were nothing more than fur balls of black or brown dubbing.

[Danoinark]

Of course popping bugs (Arcado) and other brands were available in almost all bait shops and tackle stores. Dad would buy them by the card. He was a warm water fisherman though.

[mic]

I don't know if it qualifies as an "old timer", but isn't the crackleback an Ozark original. Did the original owner of Feather Craft, Ed Story invent that one in the 50's?

[laker67]

Right you are Wayne. The army worm and mini jig were some other creations of local oriigin. Acetone flies were popular in the 60' s and 70's. The mini jig started as a wooly worm tied on an 80th ounce jig hook. Us hillbiillys didnt use nymphs, they were fur balls or fur bugs as Wayne stated.

[Gavin]

We dont really have a distinct fly tying culture like you find in the Catskills, Michigan, or the Mountain West unless we take credit for the development of micro jig trout park flies. Then their is Ed Story's Crackleback, Mike Kruse's Mohair Leach, Dick Ryan's CR Gold. A few others that I cant remember.

Feather Craft in St. Louis used to have a book of Missouri Fly Patterns...but I pitched it long ago...Then there was a list of recommended patterns written by Nelson Renick founder of Ozark Fly Fishers in early 1970's. It was on the old Ozark Fly Fisher website..but it might be lost forever now. Forgot about the Army worm...and those red, copper, and latex worms tied on english bait hooks.

[laker67]

I don't know if it qualifies as an "old timer", but isn't the crackleback an Ozark original. Did the original owner of Feather Craft, Ed Story invent that one in the 50's?

Seems as if I have heard this before. The crackleback is a spinoff of the wooly worm that was used in a "skipping" technique . This skipping wooly technique may have started at bssp. Bill Butts, from this forum, and his dad, were pioneers in skipping woolies. Chime in Bill, and give us some more info.

[Brian K. Shaffer]

The .56'er is an (Arkansas) Ozarks creation by Tom Nixon, brother of MO gov Jay Nixon.

Tying Link - http://www.taneycomotrout.com/howtotie56er.html

Book Link - http://www.warmwaterflytyer.com/links2.asp?page=2

You can search for the book... but if you buy one - only buy the copyright 1968 1st printing.

Amazon and abebooks both have it for sale.

[fishinwrench]

Don't leave the Smokies without your Yallerhammers and Tellico's.

The flys that scream Ozarks to me are the Crackleback, Mohair leech, and anything Whitlock.