Phil, The latest rage in bass fishing 2023 has been hover rigs and/or swim bait jig hooks with lead molded onto the hook shank. This weighting allows rigged plastic baits to fall horizontally, instead of nose down like a standard jig head presentation. Basically, bass fishermen are trying to create “balanced plastics”, much like you have taught us balanced flies. I’ve incorporated what I’ve learned from these videos into my own balanced flies/jigs and wanted to thank you again for sharing.
Another great looking pattern I’ll have to tie ! I’ve been experimenting with using around 8-10 ostrich herls tied long -2 to 2 1/2 the hook length and it’s been deadly for me. Using a 450 BL, mixing olive n black herl and olive n black ice dub ! That ostrich tail has unbelievable movement. Always look forward to your videos !
Hi Ted, I am pleased to hear you like the pattern and the video. Ostrich herl is one of the best stillwater tying materials. I will be featuring it in at least one upcoming tying video. Cheers, Phil
On the original Tokaryk Special, I used the same color Hair line dubbing that you used. There has always been a little confusion with this fly and a Crystal chenille Crystal bugger that I also tied to which someone gave the same name. The original version was responsible for a 30 inch rainbow on Tokaryk Lake in Manitoba.
@@PhilRowleyFlyFishing Hey Phil, it is a shame about Tokaryk. I have some fond memories of that lake and some of the huge trout that it use to produce. Hopefully, we will cross paths again my friend.
@@markwoodley658 Hi Mark, I have many fond memories of Patterson Lake from the 10 years I held my stillwater schools out in the Parklands region each spring and fall. The spring chironomid hatches were something to see. I haven't been out there in a few years due to the influx of suckers that were in the lake. They took a toll on many of the food sources and the rainbows, in particular, seemed to suffer the most. Has that situation changed much? I have been meaning to come out again for an exploratory trip to see if things had changed at all. Cheers, Phil
Well, that one will work well here in CT on the West Branch of the Farmington and the other local streams under an Indicator. I prefer the sparsely tied flies. It took me a long time to figure out that a chewed on fly fishes better so I tie my flies to look like they have been chewed on from the start. I don't know if my hook ups increased, it's hard to say one way or another.
Hi George, Chewed on flies always seem to work better. I have tried tying some flies deliberately and I joke that if they don't catch as well at first it is because the fish prefer to chew them up rather than have us do it for them. 😀 Balanced flies are great river and stream patterns too. I do well with them in a dry-dropper configuration, especially just after runoff tight to the banks. Cheers, Phil
I appreciate the tutorial but I don't get the point of using the clinch knot to tie on the leech to tippet. As soon as you cast won't the knot move away from back of center to the front?
Hi Mark, Thanks for taking the time to make a comment. If you cast aggressively, the knot could slip. I use a roll cast almost exclusively for my indicator presentations as it reduces tangles. I check it periodically to be sure and always reset it after landing a fish. It is the same process conventional anglers use when they use jigs for vertical presentations. Its not a perfect solution but one that seems to work well for me. Cheers, Phil
Hey Phil like the looks of that one. If I tyied a fly that works better than anyone I've heard of. How much is one worth. If ya what to do a Langford Lake video I'm the guy fished it since 1971.
Thanks Bob, I am assuming you meant hyped? If I ever spend some more time on Langford Lake I will keep you in mind. It has been at least 10 years since I last fished it. Cheers, Phil
HI Jake, I am still using pins and tungsten beads for my larger balanced leeches. When tying smaller micro or baby leeches now also use either a slotted bead or Tungsten Header Turner bead. If you attach your fly using a clinch or improved clinch knot you can balance a fly that uses a slotted or Tungsten Header Turner bead as an option. Cheers, Phil
Phil, The latest rage in bass fishing 2023 has been hover rigs and/or swim bait jig hooks with lead molded onto the hook shank. This weighting allows rigged plastic baits to fall horizontally, instead of nose down like a standard jig head presentation. Basically, bass fishermen are trying to create “balanced plastics”, much like you have taught us balanced flies. I’ve incorporated what I’ve learned from these videos into my own balanced flies/jigs and wanted to thank you again for sharing.
Btw! Great video. Learned from the way you do your dubbing loop. Dig the simplicity 👌🏼
Thanks TJ,
I love to use dubbing loops whenever I can.
Cheers, Phil
The balanced leech presentation is so deadly! Great video Phil!
Thanks Erik!
fantastic video thanks for posting. nice simple tie. this was my most effective pattern on a recent outing. big browns cannot resist.
Hi Arthur, I am glad you enjoyed the video. You are correct, browns love this fly.
Cheers, Phil
Hi can these be purchased online
Cracking video sir , thanks for the great pattern, I’ll be trying this at Star for sure 👍🏻
Thanks, Bob,
I am pleased to hear you enjoyed the video. Let me know how this fly works for you and how Star is fishing.
Cheers, Phil
Another great looking pattern I’ll have to tie ! I’ve been experimenting with using around 8-10 ostrich herls tied long -2 to 2 1/2 the hook length and it’s been deadly for me. Using a 450 BL, mixing olive n black herl and olive n black ice dub ! That ostrich tail has unbelievable movement. Always look forward to your videos !
Hi Ted,
I am pleased to hear you like the pattern and the video. Ostrich herl is one of the best stillwater tying materials. I will be featuring it in at least one upcoming tying video.
Cheers, Phil
@@PhilRowleyFlyFishing looking forward to seeing it !
Thank You Phil !!!
I’ll twist a few up and give them a Go ….. in Montana and Michigan this Season !!!!!
✨🎣💫
Thanks Brian,
I hope they work well for you.
Cheers, Phil
On the original Tokaryk Special, I used the same color Hair line dubbing that you used. There has always been a little confusion with this fly and a Crystal chenille Crystal bugger that I also tied to which someone gave the same name. The original version was responsible for a 30 inch rainbow on Tokaryk Lake in Manitoba.
Thanks Bob, great to hear from you. Sadly Tokaryk isn't the same lake it once was.
Cheers, Phil
@@PhilRowleyFlyFishing Hey Phil, it is a shame about Tokaryk. I have some fond memories of that lake and some of the huge trout that it use to produce. Hopefully, we will cross paths again my friend.
Patterson Lake, is just a few km west and it is a cracker.
@@markwoodley658 Hi Mark,
I have many fond memories of Patterson Lake from the 10 years I held my stillwater schools out in the Parklands region each spring and fall. The spring chironomid hatches were something to see. I haven't been out there in a few years due to the influx of suckers that were in the lake. They took a toll on many of the food sources and the rainbows, in particular, seemed to suffer the most. Has that situation changed much? I have been meaning to come out again for an exploratory trip to see if things had changed at all.
Cheers, Phil
Well, that one will work well here in CT on the West Branch of the Farmington and the other local streams under an Indicator. I prefer the sparsely tied flies. It took me a long time to figure out that a chewed on fly fishes better so I tie my flies to look like they have been chewed on from the start. I don't know if my hook ups increased, it's hard to say one way or another.
Hi George,
Chewed on flies always seem to work better. I have tried tying some flies deliberately and I joke that if they don't catch as well at first it is because the fish prefer to chew them up rather than have us do it for them. 😀 Balanced flies are great river and stream patterns too. I do well with them in a dry-dropper configuration, especially just after runoff tight to the banks.
Cheers, Phil
I appreciate the tutorial but I don't get the point of using the clinch knot to tie on the leech to tippet. As soon as you cast won't the knot move away from back of center to the front?
Hi Mark,
Thanks for taking the time to make a comment. If you cast aggressively, the knot could slip. I use a roll cast almost exclusively for my indicator presentations as it reduces tangles. I check it periodically to be sure and always reset it after landing a fish. It is the same process conventional anglers use when they use jigs for vertical presentations. Its not a perfect solution but one that seems to work well for me.
Cheers, Phil
Hey Phil like the looks of that one. If I tyied a fly that works better than anyone I've heard of. How much is one worth. If ya what to do a Langford Lake video I'm the guy fished it since 1971.
Thanks Bob, I am assuming you meant hyped? If I ever spend some more time on Langford Lake I will keep you in mind. It has been at least 10 years since I last fished it.
Cheers, Phil
Are we not using pins for balanced leeches anymore??
HI Jake,
I am still using pins and tungsten beads for my larger balanced leeches. When tying smaller micro or baby leeches now also use either a slotted bead or Tungsten Header Turner bead. If you attach your fly using a clinch or improved clinch knot you can balance a fly that uses a slotted or Tungsten Header Turner bead as an option.
Cheers, Phil
@@PhilRowleyFlyFishing perfect. Thanks Phil. I have about 1700 pins left so I m glad I don’t have to change it! Hope you are well.
@@jakeescaravage8421 No need to change Jake. I am in the same boat. I just like to show other options too.
Cheers, Phil
Phil is there any where that I can purchase online is there any chance you can hit me with a link
phil any luck with the apps worm yet?
Yes. It has been working well at times.
Cheers Phil
What size slotted bead on a size 12?
Hi TJ, I would use a 7/64" or 2.8 MM slotted tungsten bead.
Cheers, Phil