Fountains of Youth – Classic trout flies that have withstood the test of time … flies that remain “forever young”
by Rusty Dunn
‘Match the hatch’ is a comforting principle to live by. See an insect; tie on a matching artificial; catch a trout. Simple and effective. Some flies, however, might cause you to question the need for imitation, because they look nothing like natural insects yet are consistently successful. Such flies are inherently “buggy”, and examination reveals that they match nothing obvious in nature. Examples include the Royal Wulff, Zug Bug, Pass Lake Special, Prince Nymph, Bivisible, and many others. Ask ten different anglers what each imitates, and you’ll likely get ten different answers. Such patterns are “attractor” flies, so named because they have an uncanny ability to elicit strikes from trout.
Attractor flies are chimeras, fanciful monsters whose design suggests bits of insect anatomy but whose final form imitates no single species. They are rough approximations of the real thing, and often look more like Christmas ornaments than insects. Why are attractor flies so successful? Anglers have debated the point for decades without resolution. The inescapable conclusion is that trout either don’t detect the inaccuracies of our carefully crafted imitations, or they simply don’t care. Trout can be maddeningly selective during an insect hatch, but they are opportunistic feeders and take what is available during non-hatch periods. Attractor patterns are especially useful at such times. They are a fly-fishing generalist’s favorite patterns. If you aspire to someday be that carefree angler who travels lightly with nothing but a small fly box and a spool of tippet tucked in the shirt pocket, attractor flies can make it happen.
“Fore and Aft” flies are one of history’s most unorthodox attractor designs. Fore and Aft patterns sport a bushy collar of dry fly hackle at each end of a body that rides high and dry above the surface, braced by the hackle. Fore and Aft designs were developed about a century ago, and many accomplished authors have praised their effectiveness. The Fore and Aft design, however, was never widely popular, perhaps because the flies are so unconventional. Most anglers haven’t the courage to tie on a fly that does not even remotely resemble an insect. Experienced anglers, however, understand that looks are deceiving. To this day, Fore and Aft designs are regional favorites throughout the world. Examples include the Sierra Bright Dot (California), Gray Ugly (Colorado), Knotted Midge (UK), Buzz Hackle (California), Double Badger (England), and Winnie Fore and Aft (Michigan).
Fore and Aft designs appear to have originated at least three independent times in the early 20th century. Jean Juge, a country doctor in Chamberet, France, tied what is likely the very first Fore and Aft fly around 1918 as his Mouches Exquises (“Exquisite Fly”). Horace Brown, a well-known angler on England’s River Kennet, tied his “Fore and After” (later renamed “Fore and Aft”) in 1928. And Taylor ‘Beartracks’ Williams, a fly shop owner and guide in Sun Valley, ID designed his Renegade fly around 1930 for central Idaho’s Malad River. The pattern for each of these pioneering Fore and Aft flies was published decades after its design and use. Thus, all three likely represent independent origins of the Fore and Aft design.
The most successful American Fore and Aft pattern – especially in western states – is Beartracks Williams’ Renegade. A Renegade floats high and skitters well, even in rough water. Ernest Hemingway, a good friend of Williams during the author’s Sun Valley years, admired the Renegade greatly and fished it as an egg-laying caddis. The Renegade is most popular as a dry fly but also works well as a wet.
Courage may indeed be needed to fish such an unconventional fly design, but if trout can be opportunistic, so can you. Try a Renegade next time trout seem scarce you’re unsure what fly to use. You might be surprised how attractive and effective a fanciful monster can be.
Copyright 2024, Rusty Dunn
Renegade
Wrap the front and rear hackle with the shiny sides facing each other. Some authors prefer a rear hackle slightly larger than the front hackle. Others prefer a slightly larger front hackle. Still others prefer hackles of equal length.
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Hook:
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Dry fly, #10 – #16
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|
Thread:
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Black, 8/0
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Tag:
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Flat gold tinsel
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|
Rear Hackle:
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Brown rooster
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Body:
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Peacock herl
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Front Hackle:
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White rooster
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Renegade
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Posted: May 8, 2024 by Drew Kasel
by Rusty Dunn
‘Match the hatch’ is a comforting principle to live by. See an insect; tie on a matching artificial; catch a trout. Simple and effective. Some flies, however, might cause you to question the need for imitation, because they look nothing like natural insects yet are consistently successful. Such flies are inherently “buggy”, and examination reveals that they match nothing obvious in nature. Examples include the Royal Wulff, Zug Bug, Pass Lake Special, Prince Nymph, Bivisible, and many others. Ask ten different anglers what each imitates, and you’ll likely get ten different answers. Such patterns are “attractor” flies, so named because they have an uncanny ability to elicit strikes from trout.
Attractor flies are chimeras, fanciful monsters whose design suggests bits of insect anatomy but whose final form imitates no single species. They are rough approximations of the real thing, and often look more like Christmas ornaments than insects. Why are attractor flies so successful? Anglers have debated the point for decades without resolution. The inescapable conclusion is that trout either don’t detect the inaccuracies of our carefully crafted imitations, or they simply don’t care. Trout can be maddeningly selective during an insect hatch, but they are opportunistic feeders and take what is available during non-hatch periods. Attractor patterns are especially useful at such times. They are a fly-fishing generalist’s favorite patterns. If you aspire to someday be that carefree angler who travels lightly with nothing but a small fly box and a spool of tippet tucked in the shirt pocket, attractor flies can make it happen.
“Fore and Aft” flies are one of history’s most unorthodox attractor designs. Fore and Aft patterns sport a bushy collar of dry fly hackle at each end of a body that rides high and dry above the surface, braced by the hackle. Fore and Aft designs were developed about a century ago, and many accomplished authors have praised their effectiveness. The Fore and Aft design, however, was never widely popular, perhaps because the flies are so unconventional. Most anglers haven’t the courage to tie on a fly that does not even remotely resemble an insect. Experienced anglers, however, understand that looks are deceiving. To this day, Fore and Aft designs are regional favorites throughout the world. Examples include the Sierra Bright Dot (California), Gray Ugly (Colorado), Knotted Midge (UK), Buzz Hackle (California), Double Badger (England), and Winnie Fore and Aft (Michigan).
Fore and Aft designs appear to have originated at least three independent times in the early 20th century. Jean Juge, a country doctor in Chamberet, France, tied what is likely the very first Fore and Aft fly around 1918 as his Mouches Exquises (“Exquisite Fly”). Horace Brown, a well-known angler on England’s River Kennet, tied his “Fore and After” (later renamed “Fore and Aft”) in 1928. And Taylor ‘Beartracks’ Williams, a fly shop owner and guide in Sun Valley, ID designed his Renegade fly around 1930 for central Idaho’s Malad River. The pattern for each of these pioneering Fore and Aft flies was published decades after its design and use. Thus, all three likely represent independent origins of the Fore and Aft design.
The most successful American Fore and Aft pattern – especially in western states – is Beartracks Williams’ Renegade. A Renegade floats high and skitters well, even in rough water. Ernest Hemingway, a good friend of Williams during the author’s Sun Valley years, admired the Renegade greatly and fished it as an egg-laying caddis. The Renegade is most popular as a dry fly but also works well as a wet.
Courage may indeed be needed to fish such an unconventional fly design, but if trout can be opportunistic, so can you. Try a Renegade next time trout seem scarce you’re unsure what fly to use. You might be surprised how attractive and effective a fanciful monster can be.
Copyright 2024, Rusty Dunn
Renegade
Wrap the front and rear hackle with the shiny sides facing each other. Some authors prefer a rear hackle slightly larger than the front hackle. Others prefer a slightly larger front hackle. Still others prefer hackles of equal length.
Hook:
Dry fly, #10 – #16
Thread:
Black, 8/0
Tag:
Flat gold tinsel
Rear Hackle:
Brown rooster
Body:
Peacock herl
Front Hackle:
White rooster
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Category: Fly Tying, Rusty Dunn Fountains of Youth
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