The Cats meow ??

[Englander]

Hi Guys

I have a love hate relationship with this pattern, i caught my first trout on one, whilst its far from the small nymphs i love fishing now .............but dam thing does catch fish

I seem to be down to one in my fly boxes so ive just knocked up another 5 for this winter.

My version is on a Knapek size 8 streamer hook (barbless of course) chartreuse thread, white marabou tail/wing, chain eyes, you see i use no flash be it in the tail or rib department.

Fishing for wild browns earlier this season tried every traditional fly pattern in my boxes all to no avail finally gave up put this hideous creation on a Di 3 and promptly nailed a cracking wild brown trout



Just wondering how other tie this pattern, bet most of you have got one somewhere in your fly boxes ??? Go on admit it

[SharkeyP]

I'm very new to this fly-tying game, and still quite a novice at fly-fishing as a whole. The Cat's Whisker is very easy to tie and I've had success with my own tied in Rutland Cat's style (copied from Gwent Angling website but Goose biots replacing the expensive JC cheeks).


I've also had success in murky reservoirs and clear still waters with a sombre version in black and olive with a glo-bead head.

I don't feel any stigma in using what is a classic lure, and on occasions it works when nothing else will. Never be without one!

SharkeyP

[Scratch]

Hi Englander, interesting that the cat doesn't curl up nice 'n cosy on yer lap so sto speak. Here's one I tied a couple of years ago that might sit a little easier with you. It's a cat-type-thing, but 'traditionalised' up a little bit, for wild fish in wild places.... and for those with a squeamish disposition when it comes to lures! I doubt it works any better than a standard cat-type-thing, but I think it may go some way to assuaging your purists wrath!

'Wildcat'

Hook: B175 8 or 10
Tail: Marabou dyed 'Yellow Peril' (Dave Downie).
Body: Seals fur mix - 'Yellow Peril' and Olive.
Wing: White Marabou/A few strands of thin shiny stuff/ Bronze mallard dyed chartreuse (Artifly).
Throat hackle: Partridge dyed 'W.O.I.' (Artifly)
Cheeks: Yellow or chartreuse goose biots.
Thread: Flou Red UTC

[Jackwow]

The Cats Meow is the name of a bar in Bangkok!

[ChrisDickey]

i use crystal hackle for my cats whiskers

[fredaevans]

You'll find that 'pattern' out-standing for 'Pink's' Pacific Salmon up in lower Brit. Columbia.

fae

[SharkeyP]

Originally Posted by ChrisDickey

i use crystal hackle for my cats whiskers

Your pic reminds me Chris, I owe you a debt of gratitude for sharing your GH Apps variant. I tied a few on Friday and it got me off my duck on my first visit to Kilnsey Park on Saturday. I cut the loop on mine though.

A guy next to me had some great fish out of there, including a 7lb Brown, ripping back an 8-Leg Lime Spider at top speed . I tried to emulate it but only managed a few huge bow-waves but hooked and landed one pulling it slowly. He had about ten the same way, all big fish. I had one on the Rutland Cat's and one on the Black'n'Olive Cat's too.

SharkeyP

[AndrewMWalker]

I've posted this before elsewhere, but here it is again:




Generally tied on a size 10 b175 and fished on the point.

Cheers

Andy

[ChrisDickey]

Originally Posted by AndrewMWalker

I've posted this before elsewhere, but here it is again:




Generally tied on a size 10 b175 and fished on the point.

Cheers

Andy

I like that Andy, is that the tips of the marabou?what did you use for dubbing?


Sharkey

I cant take the credit for the pattern, it was tied by the owners of Moorbrook Fishery, It just worked really well for me over the past few years so thought id share it, glad it worked for you, I have a new variations such as the glister and a glister one with oval tinsel from the body to the bend in the hook

Chris

[AndrewMWalker]

Hi Chris,

You are right, its marabou tips, the body is glister, but there's also some biots along the side, in the water these hold their colour where as the glister changes slightly, it makes for a bit of contrast in the body.

Its a nice wee lure, when you don't want to strip back a monster flee. I suppose its also a bit of a fry pattern. Either way its caught a good few fish.

Cheers

Andy