OK guys and gals,

Picture the scene - you are on your favourite small stream and there are no signs of the usual fly life. A suitable terrestrial may be just what the trout want under these circumstances. My question is - what terrestrial patterns do you recommend for small streams?

I am asking because I struggle to catch trout on such patterns, despite reading how effective they can. So come on - what ants, spiders, hoppers and other assorted creepy-crawlies do you small stream addicts use?

C&N

I'd say this pattern would be very good.
UKFlyDressing - Tying the SMS beetle

__________________
Where the wandering water gushes
From the hills above Glen-Car,
In pools among the rushes
That scarce could bathe a star,
We seek for slumbering trout
And whispering in their ears
Give them unquiet dreams;
Leaning softly out
From ferns that drop their tears
Over the young streams.
Come away, O human child!
To the waters and the wild
With a faery, hand in hand,
For the world's more full of weeping than you can understand.

Wow! That's a good question!! I only fish dry on my local small stream! Early season : Emerger patterns! Klinks Buzzers etc, then May-fly patterns; any colour, white brown and the yellow May goes well! followed by smaller patterns later in the season, Adams, Hares ear dry, PT- dry!! all do the business, also any Black fly that floats high in the surface water! But, I find that whatever fly you chose? It's "Presentation and Stealth" being far more important when fishing for wild brown trout! They're very spooky!

Oh, a big brown sedge sometimes tempts them as it lands on the surface, when cast up stream, even when the little bug-gers are sipping gnats! but they ain't half quick!! Anyhow, all the above work for me at some point during the season!

Mostyn

Would go with this or even a simple black and peacock spider. Tie some unweighted and some with a little lead to make a plop.

__________________
It is in truth not glory,nor riches, nor honours that we are fighting,but for freedom - for that alone, which no honest man gives up but with his life.(Declaration of Arbroath, 1320)

Maharg - I haven't used a Black and Peacock for years! No reason for that, it is just one of those flys that are tucked away in a corner of my box but never sees the light of day. I will definately try it again this season.

Mostyn - I generally fish the same way as you do, but there are a couple of specific situations where I am pretty sure that a terrestrial should work. One short stretch I fish is totally enclosed by trees and there never seems to be any fish rising. I am wondering if the trout want some type of terrestrial they would be used to see dropping from the branches.

C&N

Two that I've had success with in this neck of the woods are the spider pattern Williams Favourite and then Eric's Beetle.

Eric's Beetle Dry Trout Fly - Fish4Flies.com


Finally a third choice is a wonderwing black gnat if needed.


Dry flies for trout and grayling


Cheers

David

Yup, I know where your coming from! Lots of bugs in an overgrown area dropping on to or just below the surface! That black & Peacock should do the job or some of the old style winged wet-flies. The Greenwell's and black spiders also! So many you could try! A blue bottle imitation must be one of the favourites.

M

M, try a black klink ribbed with blue lurex

__________________
WHEN YOU LEAVE THE RIVER, TAKE NOTHING, AND LEAVE ONLY FOOTPRINT'S!!!

THA CAN TELL A YORKSHIREMAN ,BUT THA CAN'T TELL HIM MUCH !!

For effective terrestrial patterns the Coch y Bundhu, Red Tag, black foam ant or black/brown foam beetle patterns are a wise starting point.

I wouldn't go to the Teign in june/july without a green caterpillar pattern.

I read this in a Mike weaver book,good local knowledge