Somehow Even More Selected Fly Patterns of the Mt. Hood Area

With Christmas only two days away, it is clear that fishing for trout is pretty much over. Although there are some ice fishing and tailwater opportunities, most trout fishermen have to resignedly hang their fishing caps and stow their waders for next year. Now, with winter in full swing, you might think that I'd be skiing like crazy, living in Government Camp. Well, this is not entirely true. While I am an avid skier, the conditions have been so poor lately that very few runs are open, and the ones that are have bad snow and unbearable crowds. So, to pass the time, I've been busy at the vise, churning out patterns for next year. Here are some time-tested favorites, as well as new flies.

Picket Pin:



Hook: 10-18
Body: Peacock Herl
Hackle: Brown, clipped short
Wing: Calf or squirrel tail
Thorax: Peacock herl
Weight: Tungsten bead head (opt)

Note: A classic Eastern wet fly that works very well here in the West.

Pheasant Tail Soft Hackle:



Hook: 10-18
Tail: Pheasant tail fibers
Body: Pheasant tail fibers
Rib: Copper wire
Thorax: Peacock Herl
Wing case: Pheasant tail fibers
Hackle: Hungarian Partridge
Weight: Tungsten Bead head (opt)

Notes: My attempt at combining the Pheasant tail nymph with a soft hackle. Works very well during a hatch unweighted as an emerging nymph.

Crazy-Ass Rockworm:



Hook: 10-14
Body: Green dubbing
Rib: Flashabou
Thorax: Green bead

Notes: Not recommended. You are welcome to give it a try, but this one was purely for entertainment purposes.

Light Blue Dun:



Hook: 10-18
Tail: Blue dun hackle fibers
Body: Muskrat Dubbing
Wing: Divided Wood Duck or Blue dun hackle tips
Hackle: Light blue dun

Notes: Standard dry fly, one that works pretty well in areas with Blue dun hatches.

Nondescript Brown Mayfly:



Hook: 10-14
Tail: Brown Hackle fibers
Body: Muskrat Dubbing
Wing: Divided Wood Duck Flank
Hackle: Brown

Notes: Most boring fly in existence, but a good one to try when nondescript mayflies are hatching.

Nondescript Brown Mayfly Wulff Style:





Hook: 10-18
Tail: Elk hairs
Body: Muskrat Dubbing
Wing: Dark elk hair
Hackle: Brown

Notes: The same as the previous fly, but with better flotation at the hands of the hair wing.

Hare's Ear Spider:



Hook: 10-14
Body: Hare's ear dubbing
Rib: Copper Wire
Thorax: Hair's ear with guard hairs left in
Hackle: Hungarian Partridge

Notes: Another effective soft hackle fly that works as well as the Pheasant Tail Soft Hackle.

Alternate Kam's Tail:

Hook: 10-18
Tail: Hare's ear guard hairs
Body: Hare's ear dubbing
Rib: Copper wire
Thorax:  Hare's ear dubbing with guard hairs left in
Wing case: Pheasant Tail fibers
Legs: Pheasant Tail fibers pulled back.

Notes: This pattern differs from the original Kam's Tail in that it's more styled after a Gold Ribbed Hare's Ear than the actual Pheasant Tail. Both are effective patterns and should work well in the Mt. Hood area.

Crappy Caddis:



Hook: 10-12
Body: Brown or black dubbing
Hackle: Brown, clipped short
Rib: Copper Wire
Weight: Tungsten bead head and/or lead wire

Notes: Looks disastrous, but is great for the Salmon River, where caddis flies predominate. Also works well at the Deschutes in the late summer and early fall especially.

Kam's Caddis with that Reflective Fish Stuff:



Hook: 10-14
Body: Spun and clipped deer hair
Wing: Translucent reflective fish skin stuff
Hackle: Brown

Notes: I need to know what that stuff is called. If anyone knows send me an email or comment.

Crudely tied Madame X-ish Fly:



Hook: 10-14
Body: Orange or tan dubbing
Wing: Elk Hair
Hackle: Brown
Legs: Rubber legs tied in an "X" shape.

Notes: My fly naming skills need work. Nonetheless, this fly works well as a caddis, cricket, or grasshopper. It is also a good Deschutes Salmonfly imitation in larger sizes.

CDC Wing Caddis:



Hook: 10-14
Body: Orange or tan dubbing
Hackle: Brown
Wing: Tan or Cream CDC.