Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Confidence On The "Fly"

STAYNER DUCKTAIL

Many of those of us who tie flies seem to be always tinkering at the vise.  Working on coming up with that "Hot" new pattern that all the fish will just go nuts on this year out on the water.  Be honest now, if you have tied much or for sometime anyway, invariably, this has run through your mind.  Or, perhaps you just want to modify a certain established pattern a little bit.  That will make it a new fly right and all your fly fishing friends will credit you with be the creator of a great new pattern.  Especially, if it catches fish, and, you give them a handful to try!  Well, ya' know, you know the story from here.  There truly is probably not a snowball's chance in Hell that somebody, somewhere hasn't already thought of that or tied that pattern up during a session at the ol' vise.

How many fly patterns does an angler need to carry with him or her for a day of fishing? Well, that is a topic for another post sometime, somewhere else.  The point I would like to make here is that it really is a matter of confidence when you tie and fish a fly that works for you.  Both, at the vise, and, on the water, if you have confidence in that fly you will concentrate more when tying them and fishing them.  Why? Because you know they work and you have been rewarded with many a memory of a day{s} on the water when you caught fish after fish on that fly.  Call it what ever you want, but you know, that "Fly" is going to produce more times than not.  You have confidence on the water and confidence on that "Fly" It has become one of your favorite flies that you know you can always lean on when the weather, or the fish, or both are playing hardball with you!  Now, that is a lot said in order for me to introduce you to one of those "Flies" for me.

The Stayner Ducktail was made popular by Ruel Stayner of Twin Falls, Idaho, back many years ago.  Ruel, designed this fly to imitate Perch in the local stillwaters in Idaho.  Little did he know at the time what he really had on his hands with the creation of this pattern.  This pattern went on to become extremely popular in the stillwater fly fishing circles.  I was a member of the "Float Tube Navy" out of Boise, Idaho area.  The Float Tube Navy spent their time learning the concepts of stillwater fly fishing from a float tube and fishing many of the great lakes of the Rocky Mountains. The Stayner Ducktail became the go to fly for many of us back in the day.  It was fished with a sinking line of some sort and fished very well for Trout, Bluegill, Crappie, Bass etc. etc.  It became legendary! Now, I will add to this, that it not only became a legendary, local pattern, but a pattern whose success goes far beyond that.  The Stayner Ducktail has been fished on the rivers in Russia, on the big ponds of New Zealand and Australia, and, for the the giant Rainbows that reside in the lakes of Argentina.  Sadly, not by me, but I have seen many photos of big fish from these waters from friends who made trips to these magnificent waters.  Please bare with me as I recall a story once told to me by my fly fishing mentor, the late Ken Magee of Boise, Idaho.  Ken and several friends from the Boise area had made the trip to Russia and paid for guides to fish some of the great rivers.  He said that they had a really difficult time understanding what the Russian guides were saying, and, particularly what patterns they should use.  None of them had any of what they needed!  So, the group decided they will just fish with Stayner Ducktails.  A Rainbow Trout is a Rainbow Trout, right?  Long story short, Ken and the group had a terrific trip fishing Stayner Ducktails for big, Russian trout!  

There are more stories I could tell, but, let's refocus on the tying of the Stayner Ducktail.  Now, I might be able to tie Stayner Ducktails with anybody, but, I don't shoot video.  Being the subject just gets me all discombogulated!  So, I have done a You Tube search and found a very good fly tying video for you to watch and learn how tie the Stayner Ducktail.  Hope you enjoy watching and tying this great pattern.  Beware warm water fly fishers of the guy fishing the Stayner Ducktail!


14 comments:

  1. I have no doubt that the Stayner Duck Tail will catch some fish! The best part is the simplicity. Thanks buddy.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. A lot of fish, Howard. You just have to have confidence! Like I often say, "fly fishing and fly tying simplicity". Kept me going all these years.

      Delete
  2. Mel
    The Duck Tail would be a great pattern to use swing casting on a tailrace. It has just enough body to stay right below the surface to attract some savage takes. Thanks for sharing

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bill, interesting that you say that. I would bet that it would too. Even though the Stayner Ducktail was designed to represent a Perch in lake fishing situations, obviously, it has had plenty of success in some of the better rivers, too. Don't know if you have any Cutthroat trout down your way, but, it is a superb Cutthroat fly!

      Delete
  3. Good article and tutorial. I think I'll tie some up. I know where there is a bunch of Bluegills and I'll bet they've never seen a Stayner Ducktail before. Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Well it is a new pattern to me. Thanks for sharing it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Slowly, surely, Daniel, the Fly Fishing Bug is biting you. May a Stayner Ducktail or two tempt you?

      Delete
  5. That pattern would definitely clean up on the gills and bass on the lakes and creeks around me.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I sure would not hesitate to tie or fish them if I were in your area, Justin. I am all ears if you tie some up and fish them and catch some fish. Fish them with confidence. It does make a difference.

      Delete
  6. Great looking fly. I'll tie up a few of these and give them a run.
    Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Alan, for your comment. Excited to hear that you will tie some up and give them a run on your small stream trout. I know that lake bound Brookies love 'em. I think you will do quite well on small streams. Let me know!

      Delete
  7. Mel, I enjoyed reading this. It is true that a favorite pattern gives you confidence on the stream! I've got to hit the vise soon.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I'll give it a try. Love the history of a fly. There's a few from Minnesota I fish and love the history and the lore off. It's great when these patterns never fade from the current fly fishing scene.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ryan, for some reason I can not get my actual response to your post to post up. I know, likely story!! Anyway, hope you tie some up and give them due time on the water. Would appreciate any feedback.

      Delete

Your visit and comments are always welcome here.