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Perch Flies - North American Perspective

Not sure how the Perch in the US compare to their European cousins behavior-wise (different species Perca flavescens vs. Perca fluviatilis), but in the north-central North America the perch typically feed on sub-surface insects near the bottom and fish fry, especially their own.

Personally I most often find caddis larvae, damsel, dragonfly nymphs and bloodworms in stomach contents, though they are not terribly picky and like to hit bright colors as well as subtle ones.

Fry-wise, I have found that a fairly large Alexandria or similar streamer will attract them. Red and Silver in general seem to work well, and also Yellow and White. Don't underestimate their cannibalistic tendencies.

Also, they like to short-strike, so avoid long tails or wings.

Tight Lines,

-flywalleye

Great article!

Yo

Great article!

You can do as Gary says before, cutting on a side of a discarded water bottle to put there all the trash, like packages, tippet, cigarette butts, etc.

Kiora,
A

Kiora,
Another kiwi here Hemi, yes we call them Piper but the Aussies call them Garfish Totally different to what the Texan is referring to. Little bits of left over soft baits work O.K. particularly scented one like Gulp, I use baits such as PIPER!(the best), pipi,dough, small silver or white fly's, haven't tried orange yet. Sabaki rigs work great we use a small pencil float on the end of the rig to keep the hooks at or very near the surface which also keeps them out of weed if any. Plenty of burly e.g. wet sand chopped sea grass mixed with porridge bread crumbs and maybe fish meal, ( fish flavour cats biscuits buzzed in a blender work great to). This lot usually brings in the odd Pororae as a bonus. I no that if it is windy or rough it's time to go elsewhere like up a creek and target Mullet. Easy cook if not baking or bottling is gut and stick spear through in front of tail and quick fry turning once e.g 30 secs on top 20 secs bottom.

This is Aspen countr

This is Aspen country !!!

On the Arkansas River, miles and miles by yourself, you can fish for smaller but more frequent fish.

The brownie takes yo

The brownie takes your fly and snaps you off around the other post in the water?

Ken,

The pictures

Ken,

The pictures seem to work fine... can't you see any pictures or can't you click to see the larger versions?

Can you see these pictures below? They are taken directly from the links in the article...

Martin

I am unable to open

I am unable to open the pictures. Any suggestions? Thanks.

how are the accommod

how are the accommodations a salmon lodge? 2 rods per room? bathrooms separate?
how did you find the ZEC booking business - who loks after this? is it a pain?
was there rod pressure in the pools?
how does the end-of -June look?
thanks

patagonia's river wa

patagonia's river walkers are horrible. I fish mostly freestone streams and hike in w boots quite often. after approx 40 days, the boots fell apart, an eyelet detached, the uppers literally disintegrated, and a felt sole fell off. So, I don't know what you are smoking, but it's either really good or you wade around in sand at night.

As for aqua stealth soles, tried them as well on a bean boot, and they are downright dangerous. Like sneakers on ice.

Superb Mr Gray .. thanks for

Superb Mr Gray .. thanks for sharing

Andy

I concure with the

I concure with the boot/bootie theroy. I have 4mm custom Streamlines w/builtin boots. The only times
my feet get cold is fishing out of a jetsled when it's so cold that the felt soles actually freeze to the boat deck. The problem I have with stockingfoot breathables is the size of the "bootie" is very restrictive. If you go for a summer fit (to one pair light/med sox) the wouldn't accomidate heavyer sox that are needed for winter without being tight and causing poor circulation, discomfort & really cold feet fast. I guess the best answer is breathable bootfoots.

'strike a pose...

G'day Martin...
Thanks for the kind words...
When the winds kick up and drives me off the water, I'll retreat to my tying bunker for some creative "therapy"...
This sort'a stuff keeps me busy and out'a trouble...
As usual, your keen observations are spot on...
After a test drowning in the tub and a hot water rinse, as the fly dries the tear-drop shape gently sets into the natural fibers...it holds this aesthetic pose until hydro-dynamic pressure takes over...
Although the gentle "training" helps slightly to maintain the desired profile and results in a pleasing photo op...with a dead drift, the material splays out somewhat...add some current and the fuselage narrows down a bit as the material steam lines...
A strip-pause-strip insinuates undulating life and gives it "the LOOK"...weshallsee...the fish decide!
Cheers
ps
What with the quick Tuffleye BlueLight cure I've started "spot welding" material on as I go...
The above head shots depict a close-up view of thread-less tying (fly welding?!)...
I haven't seen this technique used before...["famous last words"]...WORKS FOR ME!
[img:387f98ff1d]http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa176/Phracas/IMG_7598.jpg[/img:387f…]
[img:387f98ff1d]http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa176/Phracas/IMG_7610.jpg[/img:387f…]
[img:387f98ff1d]http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa176/Phracas/IMG_7613.jpg[/img:387f…]

Pete,

Pete,

Another great pattern and thanks for posting thos grest step-by-steps. They show your dual tube concept very clearly.

One question: the shape of the fly on the last picture... is that purely the moist fly or do you use anything to get the hairs permanently into that shape?
I would imagine that the first time the fly hits the water, the hairs spread out to their natural shape as its seen in the first pictures in the tying steps.

Martin

Excellent intro to t

Excellent intro to these flies. Those looking to delve deeper should check out Derek Quilliam's wonderful book The Complete Guide to New Zealand Trout Lures.

What is the retained

What is the retained breaking strength of a blood knot % wise? Also blood knots tied with floro carbon to regular leader material say Maxima does the % change. Thanks,

Hi I'm from the panhandle

Hi I'm from the panhandle of Florida and I'm looking for some ideas about what flies to use for large mouth bass/ pike for top water and mostly for lower down in the water column. I fish ponds and lakes, rivers and very clear spring feed streams. Do you have any suggestions?

I wonder if it is a

I wonder if it is a lot of Adobe???

Really nice André

Really nice André
Which part of Rena where you fishing?
Cheers,
/atli

At age 86, I might a

At age 86, I might appreciate the time saving.

Let me thank you for

Let me thank you for this wide description how to solve the problem with the loops!
The only problem that remains is how to get a spool of 25 m I can use to make myself my own loops at home!?
Thank you.

I found your web sit

I found your web site and reviewed the fly patterns shown there. I want to know if the flys can be purchased? Especially the White fly regular and with eyes added? I have interests in other flies on your site.

Best Regards,

Lorenzo Swanson
New Fly Fisherman

I really like this l

I really like this layout. I am going to try to build one for myself, not much on woodworking, although I am good at drawing things.
My wife is always complaining about all of the stuff lying around the living room when I work.
I have an idea that might be good. If you built a docking station (similar to the concept used for a laptop computer) that would have drawers for supplies, etc. You could then work say in the garage with this set up or take the top off and use it while watching TV, for tying flies anywhere. It would also give you a place to store it between TV time and tying flies.

Hi Ripley

Great a

Hi Ripley

Great article, its the only one Ive seen in English about lithuanian trout fishing. I live in Vilnius and plan a visit to the Ula. I havn't fished in years but I am keen to get back into it again.

Cheers.

Ben,

I'd suggest

Ben,

I'd suggest looking into places in Jutland - the peninsula north of Germany. The central and eastern part offers all types of fishing - stream, lake and ocean - within short distances. The areas around Silkeborg, Skanderborg and Horsens will be good for you as a fly fisherman and close by Aarhus, which is a larger town.

You can fly into Billund and have a short drive or into Copenhagen and have more miles to cover to get there.

Martin