Fly Tying: More Rocky Ford Dries

I continue to tie, thinking of those Rocky Ford Rainbows. I continue to think about those Rocky Ford Rainbows, so I tie. That happy vicious circle.

As always, these are the recipes of the flies pictured. They often represent variations on standard patterns. 

Bear's Paw

Hook: dry fly, 1X long, #14

Thread; black

Body: peacock herl

Hackle: Grizzly

I saw this on a local fly tying show that was originally aired in 2009.

This is a simple tie that appeals to me. Its close resemblance to the

Renegade and the Griffith's Gnat is obvious, but it has a charm of its own.

No one seems to know where the name came from, though there are

many Bear's Paw or Bear Paw lakes and creeks in the west, so it could

have been named for a place. I also discovered that Taylor Williams,

the man given credit for inventing the Renegade in Wyoming back in the 30's,

 had a nickname: "Beartracks." Maybe there's a connection.

Humpy

Hook: dry fly, #14

Thread: black

Tail: natural deer hair

Wing: natural deer hair, upright and divided

Underbody: working thread over wing butts

Shellback: wing hair drawn forward over body

Hackle: grizzly

Ah, Humpies. I hope someday to learn how to tie them. I consistently

get the shellback/wing hair too long or too short. It's too long on this

example. But I really like the pattern, so I'll keep trying. On this version

I wanted a black underbody. The standard fly is yellow, though green

and red are common variations. I also used grizzly hackle

alone. The standard fly uses grizzly and brown.

Callibaetis

Hook: dry fly, 1X long, #14

Thread: black

Tail: grizzly hackle fibers

Body: Adams gray dubbing

Rib: 5X monofilament

Wing: white antron yarn

Hackle: grizzly

I've seen a few callibaetis hatching on my last two trips to Rocky Ford.

They were few and far between, but consistent. Mostly they attracted no

attention as they floated and fluttered on the surface just over the trout's heads.

But I did see one trout finally have a go at one--and miss. This is a

simple pattern that has been a go to in recent years. It floats high, it's easy to see,

and it's durable. I've had the Rocky Ford fish compete with each other

to see who can get to this fly first, but you have to be there on the right day.