Peacock for dry flies and nymphs

Every fly tier and most fly fishermen know about the supposed fish-attracting powers of peacock herl.  Off hand I can think of about a dozen flies that use this remarkable natural material.  Here are two examples: one dry and one wet.  Both of these patterns are pretty old; the Picket Pin originated in Montana around 1919 and the House and Lot first showed up in the late 1950's.

Picket Pin

H and L variant a.k.a. House and Lot
 featuring stripped peacock body and a peacock herl thorax

Fall in the Adirondacks

As the seasons change so do our fishing opportunities and tactics.  Fishing streamers slow and deep and weighted nymphs have produced the most action over the past couple of weeks.   I have enticed a few good trout on big dries, blue winged olives, and have witnessed trout selectively feeding on tiny size #22-#26 rusty spinners.  We have had more than our fair share of rainy weather and off-colored water this fall.  My most productive nymph has been a rubber legged prince tied with a silver bead head.  Fall is not the season for epic hatches or consistent dry fly action, but for many folks it's the greatest time to be on the water.  The crisp days, dramatic fall colors, hungry fish, and the impending snow seem to add extra intensity to every outing.

 Rubber leg prince nymphs ready for action

Tom Conway caught this one on a rubber legged prince

another one on a rubber leg

Hopper

The Salmon are starting to show up in the Lake Champlain tributaries; I caught this nice fish on October 2nd using a grey matuka.

I am going to be offering special deals on flies via the Ruff Waters Fly Fishing Facebook page click on the like button to your right so you can take advantage.