Flymen Blog
The Devo Diver Is a "Best of Both Worlds" Sculpin Fly.
Most sculpin flies that we see are designed to do one thing — get deep in the water column.
While these flies certainly are useful in many fishing situations, a lot of flies tied in this style of fly do not have much swimming action. The Devo Diver, with its multiple articulation points of the Articulated Fish-Spine, is a fly that will get deep but also have lifelike movement in the water.
Fly fishing small streams for wild trout is without question my favorite piscatorial endeavor.
Aside from the lack of crowds, the gorgeous surroundings, and the all-too-eager trout, small streams offer endless learning opportunities. The lessons garnered from creeks, streams, and brooks can be applied to all aspects of trout fishing.
The following are a few of the tactics I have learned from my experience on smaller waters that I fish frequently both on my own and when guiding clients as well.
Imitations of craneflies are very popular in Europe and not without reason, they are great, buggy fishing flies!
Even though it’s not that often you encounter a real “hatch” of these insects, they tend to be present during most of the summer and trout will take them if they crash land.
I tie these flies in 3 sizes and fish them quite often, not just to imitate craneflies, but more to show fish something that looks very tempting when they are opportunistic (which they are most of the time).
Learn to tie this next-generation stonefly.
Being known as a pretty major streamer lover, I often get lumped into the crowd that only ties big, gnarly streamers. But I'm also a fly fishing guide, and not everyone enjoys throwing streamers on 8-weight rods with sinking line all day, so nymphing is a huge part of my guiding.
The Wiggle Stone is my standard when nymphing deep in a stream where stoneflies live. As with any Stonefly pattern, the most important question is "How quick does it get to the bottom" and with the Nymph-Head Evolution Stonefly tungsten beadhead, this pattern goes straight to the bottom and into the strike zone.
Fly Recipe
- Hook: Kona Nymph Streamer 2XL (NS2), size #6
- Antennae: Sili-Legs
- Bead Head: Nymph-Head Evolution Stonefly tungsten beadhead, brown, size large
- Underbody: .025 Lead Wire
- Tail: Sili-Legs
- Ribbing: Mono Thread
- Case: U.V. Chewee Skin
- Wax: Loon High Tack Swax
- Body: Wiggle Dubbing (in a dubbing loop)