I guess many of you already have one eye on next season, and have already started the annual fly-box sort out. Me too. Apart from replenishing the flies that those big fish have had away, or big bullies have commandeered or pilfered, I find myself tinkering with and revitalising patterns both old old and new.
Here's one that's been in my fly box for donkies years. It's been through a few changes, with or without good reason, but that's us fly tiers for you! This year I've simply added some squirrel to the Hares ear & Rabbit body mix - I love the spiky bugginess and the combo of the grey/brown/white in the squirrel. I also changed the head hackle to a rather nice variant hen given to me by a pal in the spring.
The spirit and essence of the fly remains the same though.... drab, natural, sloppy, floppy and very very fishy! This is the kind of fly I love the most - vague and suggestive, nothing in particular, but something different to every trout, and indeed every angler that views it. 'Impressionistic' flies like this are often more killing than the most cleverly though out and cunningly crafted ultra-realistic patterns... I have my theories, but that's another story. Suffice to say, on its day, the Swamp Donkey will score as well as much more specific and imitative patterns when targetting fish 'locked on' to Mayflies, Sedges, Daddies, Shrimp and many other food items... Squint at it, and tell me it doesn't make you peckish!
'Swamp Donkey'
Hook: B175 8/
10/12/14
Tail: Bronze Mallard.
Rib: Oval Gold.
Body: Mix of Rabbit, Hare's ear and Squirrel.
Body Hackle: Cree Hen.
Head Hackle: Variant Hen Saddle - buff/brown.
Thread: UTC 'Brown Olive'.
Swamp Donkey
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