Posted by Jim E (24.116.99.140) on May 20, 2004 at 19:51:10:
What’s the attraction ?
Attractor flies. The “go to” flies when you don’t know what to go to. Each category of flies have some in their line up and this week we’ll look at some found in the dry fly category.
First off, attractors are just that, a fly that is intended to attract fish, like all flies should, yet it doesn’t specifically imitate an actual natural. The hope is that it is “close enough” to the real thing and maybe even several different real things to peak a fish’s interest to the point of striking, a kind of being “all things to all fish”. Too good to be true ? Not always.
Now if you have identified what’s hatching and have a pattern that matches it, use it. Attractors are more for that first time trip or “new to you” water. They also are good for when nothing else you have will match, but really shine when you just got to the water and are ready to tie something on. You haven’t noticed any activity to indicate what to try first so…tie on an attracter. They’re always a good start.
Common dry fly attractors are: Royal Wulff, Royal Coachman, Humpy, Stimulator, and Trudes etc. Many of these patterns are tied with some pretty bright colors, colors not usually found on bugs. Maybe that helps with their attraction. Who knows ?
Stimulators, for example, are flies with many faces, making them true to their attractor characteristics. Many fish a stimulator when summer grasshoppers are potential trout fare. Other times they are used when caddis are a possibility. March browns ? Well they’re close enough to those, at times, for the fish to take notice also. Stoneflies ? Got to throw those into to the mix too (although stone flies aren’t very common on the LMF). Real quick you see that a Stimulator is a fly worth its place in a fly box.
With attractors having such a broad rapport it’s understandable why that a fly shop just about anywhere can recommend them for just about any trout water that you might venture to, with confidence. Always realize though that local knowledge and up-to-date info from fly shops, about current conditions and fly selections should trump any info obtained from miles away. Plan to buy the “what’s hot” upon your arrival. A fly fisherman prepared will have room in his fly box for these and will heed whatever local info that the “turnip will bleed”. All kidding aside, most streamside fly shops are ready and willing to help all that they can. Those that don’t should be remembered.
More attractors next week.
Thanks for reading. Comment as you like.
Jim Enns <*;)))))))><