What to tie for Bennett?

[NoLuck]

52 minutes ago, Davekc said:

ok thanks, It should be a lot less cost than the UV stuff. Do you have any suggestions for me on flies to tie? Thanks!

I've been having real good success on a size 24 copper brassie tied on a scud hook. I've been using it as a second fly Behind a TBH midge of various colors. I was down over the weekend and landed 40-50 fish both days.  That's with only fishing about 3-4 hours each day.  Find the bottom and just let your fly tickle it on a good drag free drift. That means adjusting a lot while moving from one place to another. 

I could tell you exactly what I fish and you may not have as much success as I have with them.  Just try different things and learn what the fish want.  Figuring out what works is the challenge. I believe you'll be more satisfied when you figure it out on your own. 

 

It took me a few years to really get dialed in at Bennett. Now I try new things to figure out what else works.  That gives me a lot of satisfaction knowing that I've figured out something on my own.  I think you will feel the same way. 

 

[Davekc]

NoLuck, thanks for the advice and suggestions. I agree with you the fun is the challenge of finding the right combination of fly and technique. I have fished years all over the West and love to fish streams like Silver Creek and others like Armstrong and Depuys. Spending an hour figuring out how to get dialed in on a hatch. I did not want you to feel I am looking for the secret fly and do not believe one exists for all situations. It has been so long since I have fished the parks I am just looking for a group of flies to tie that are a good start. Thanks to all of you for your suggestions and I appreciate your willing to share your experiences with fishing the parks. I hope once I get back to fishing them more often i can share my result and knowledge.

[NoLuck]

Dave,

I didn't figure you wanted me to give away the store.  It's just that I feel a lot of people miss out on the challenge part of fly fishing.   Even now, after fishing Bennett for close to 40+ years I still get humbled on occasion.  I know that if I switched over to a white mini jig I would catch fish though.  But, I refuse to use a gut fly.   I guess if I was starving and nothing else worked, I might have a different opinion of them. 

 

Maybe some day I'll see you on the stream.  I'd be happy to give you some pointers about the arsenal of flys I carry.  All 5-6 of them. 

[Davekc]

NoLuck,

I agree 100% with you. You obviously are a skilled fisherman and have taken the time and effort you need to learn Bennett as well as anyone. I admire someone that will take the time to observe the fish and the stream and put the puzzle together. That is the fun and challenge for me as well. I also have been humbled at times but love to stalk that single fish rising and try to unlock the code and get him to take. I agree with you that i would rather fish for him than switch to something just to catch fish. It is a pleasure to talk with someone that shares my love of the challenge. I do hope to see you on the stream some day and we can share our knowledge with each other. Take Care and Good fishing!

[rcguy]

Size 24?? I don't think I've seen a 24 scud hook.

im down at Pomme now and may head to Bennett sometime Friday or sat for awhile.

 

[NoLuck]

37 minutes ago, rcguy said:

Size 24?? I don't think I've seen a 24 scud hook.

im down at Pomme now and may head to Bennett sometime Friday or sat for awhile.

 

I'll be there through Monday, Jerry. I have to work till 7 Friday evening though.  

Those 24 and 26's are pretty tough to find. I just ordered them from a guy out at the San Juan in NM. I tried my hand at tying a couple 24's and said that there is no way.  I'll give you one to try out if you're down there.  Just tie on a 12 inch piece of 6X Tippet through the eye of your lead  size 18 TBH midge and see what happens.  I was amazed at how well it works. 

 

See you there if you're gonna be there.

[Davekc]

Gamakatsu makes a barbless scud hook in 26,28 and 30. You can get them from their website. The hook number is a C12-BM and I have used them on the San Juan and Silver Creek. Nice hook with a oversized eye. $6.95 per 25 hooks on website.

[NoLuck]

I found the bare hooks from Mustad. I just don't have the patience to tie them. I know it's not much material. But, even with magnifiers it's still tough. 

[Davekc]

I agree with you. My eyes and fingers are not what they used to be with small flies. I just try to get away with as little material as I can and it look halfway good. But they do like those small flies !

[brittsnbirds]

NoLuck, Seriously if I can tie them you surely can (and yes I called you Surely).  Hardest part is the hook up with the little suckers.