Week of November 16th 2025: Flies Don't Grow on Trees
Week of November 16th: Flies Don't Grow on Trees
Flies may not grow on trees, but once in a while you find a good one getting yours out of a branch. Such was the case this week, when a sloppy back cast resulted in a familiar problem. Two things were lucky that afternoon: I had my telescoping magnet with me and my fly hadn’t caught the branch, but some tippet in a tangle up there.
The telescoping magnet was a checkout–line find at the hardware store, and using that I was able to catch the flies and slowly pull them toward me. One of the flies I found was an olive jig–streamer - #12. The body was a slim strip of rabbit fur tied to a jig hook with a black heavy slotted bead. Another slim strip of rabbit made a nice fur collar and a few wraps of dark or blended ice dub tapered to a barbless hook. I placed the “new” flies in my box and I remembered them Saturday morning. My usual cold morning combination did not result in takes from a likely hole, so I switched to the “bro” streamer, as I fondly call them. Bro. Let me tell you, this changed the morning.
The likely hole proved to have at least two fish, or maybe one fish that bit twice. The problem with flies that come from trees is you don’t know how long they have been there. A cursory search for a hook-hone reminded me that I need to get one and learn to use it. The two takes were all I got and feeling that the sting of the “bro” may have put the fish down. I left for the next hole after a few more casts. Things are still skinny out there, so I skipped ahead, so to speak, thinking of what to do.
With the clock ticking down to my shift, I decided to give the jig-streamer a pass through when a hungry trout made itself known with four strikes at the fly on its swing. Now I was panicking. Should I look harder for the hook-hone? Switch flies? (the bro-flies I tie are bigger than this one - heavier and would certainly snag) The third choice seemed to be a firmer hook set. I got lucky again. The first fish was a big one from the fall stocking with a creamy, yellowish, honey in your milk and oatmeal, colored belly who came in like a heavy sock. I wondered if more than one big trout could be in the hole since the quick swipes didn’t feel like they’d come from this fish.
The next had a ton of fight and came soon after I released the first. The great thing about the jig-streamers is they are quick to sink, but if they are tied on small hooks, and not too heavy, like this one, they make sharp darts up and down at the end of a taught line when cast downstream. With water this low, I’ve been wondering if there are slotted beads that are not tungsten. Anyway, the second fish was bright silver and had more vivid colors in general. Each time I thought it was time to use my net, I’d lose a few feet of line I carefully regained in the last attempt. The poor fish was probably getting dizzy. Finally, after an honorable fight, I was able to release the hook, snap a quick photo, and do my best to keep the fish submerged before letting it go.
I had heard that big trout will push each other out of holes and was skeptical that lightning would strike a third time. One more cast would not make me late for the third 101 Tying class this same morning, would it? Well, I was not late. The third fish quickly found the now prized jig-streamer.
Needless to say, we tied a few small, jig-streamers in this week’s 101 class, along with a few spider flies on big hooks. I am going to try both later this week - it is my turn to chase steelhead and I am bringing everything I have to catch one.
Ideas for flies do not fall out of trees and The International Fly Tying Symposium is one of the best places to learn from top-tier tyers. During a live Tie-off with Cheech from Fly Fish Food and Tim Flagler, they reminded the audience, in-between the well meaning and impeccably timed barbs, we can all learn from one another simply by tying together. It was a great show this year.
Come tie at the shop Thursday’s, 6:00 - 8:00, or sign up for a 101 class on Saturday morning. We have a great selection of beads, fur strips, and jig hooks, too.
See you out there, Roy B.