Was out fishing the other day 20° sunny, midges started hatching. Went to set up my dry fly rig with a midge and when I opened my midge box a fly fell out and it was a parasol midge I had tied years ago . I hadn’t used one in years , so put it on went back down to the river first cast bam . Just tied some BWO and PMD versions getting ready for spring and summer. Thanks for sharing
Hi Tim, Just for information the parasol post fly is about 21years old. It was fisrtly tied in France with CDC indicator. That was 1996. I produced the pattern commercially as " Submarine emerger" that was also 1996. ( GM Flies Kenya) However, there was a difference in the tying system . The post was tied more forward closer to eye to henence the imetation to swim like a natural rising insect plus a modification to hook To ensure consistency of the post fixing I modified the hooks, much similar to a Klinkhamer of today Three years later Fulling Mill Flies UK introduced a similar pattern. I have now retired, but still enjoy the pleusure of flying. Giuliano
Giuliano, thanks for the information, and fishing this with a CDC post is very intriguing! I can see how that would be more delicate and a natural color. Were there other types of nymphs that you attached to the post? Thanks again for the information, and it's great to know you still tie. Tim
Hi Tim, nice pattern. I watched how to make the post and was glad you mentioned Betters, but I'm confused as to why you don't see his connection to this pattern. So here goes. I saw an article by Leeson& Schollmeyer in I think Flyfishing & Tying Journal. I thought it was longer than 10 years ago, but Betters pasted away in 2009 so it's possible. When I saw the article I said WT---! Betters tied the Piggyback way before this, and other readers apparently said the same because the next month the mag was flooded with angry letters of giving credit where credit is due. Subsequent articles contained "apologies" by the "duo" and even a very gracious and humble reply from Betters, who seemed to be less concerned then the legion of his followers that wrote the letters to the editor of the mag. The "duo" also cited another pattern that used a long parachute post, l think it's called the dandilion, the hackle remsembles the seed cluster of the flower (which we regard with sadness for the delicious weed is way past prime for consumption ;-) I have Betters pattern guide published in 1986. Five pages devoted to the development of the Piggyback, which he did probably at age 16, and even wrote an article and submitted it to a well known mag. Unfortunately they sent him a letter saying it was an interesting pattern but too "esoteric" for their readers. He had forgotten about it over the years but found the letter in 1984 while sorting out some storage. So with renewed enthusiasm his tied some up and they produced just as good as when he made them probably in 1956. The pattern solved a problem of having a fly both sink and float at the same time, unfettered by a float on the leader, and still indicate a bite with no lag time because the float is part of the fly. He mentions physics alot and I believe he was an engineer, I think he was a genius. His post was size 2/0 thread, he felt mono was to stiff and would effect the movement of the nymph. His float was flared white deer belly on the thread, knotted then tied to hook after abdomen before thorax is tied. He clipped the hair ball to size and shape. He used an inch distance between ball and fly. He also soaked the balls in his homemade dressing of parrafin dissolved in white gas. He mentioned using small 1/4" corks, painted white, instead of deer hair, and a "limp" mono could also be used. I think the parasol is a modern update on Betters piggy 🐖 back, much easier to tie. I tied every pattern in Betters book except for this, the last in his line up, mainly because of the flaring of hair out of hand with just thread. I stuck with the Usual and my own snowshoe emerger, a variant of Rosenbauer's. His uses for the fly are much the same as yours. And to help the novice nymph fisherman detect a suttle take. Also he loved fishing drys, and this pattern gave him the visual thrill of a surface take. I know from talking to him and reading the his book he was a line watcher. When I told him I just caught my first Ausable brown on a March brown I had tied while fishing behind the KOA he jumped in his chair and said dry fly! No a Carl Coleman MB nymph. I proudly told him how I saw a flash then my indicator moved sideways and I had a fish on. He sorta wrinkled his nose when I said indicator I hope this clears the connection for you Tim. Thanks again.
Joe, thanks for the information and I can tell you must be a follower of Mr. Betters, too! ;-) You're the first person to give me an actual name of the fly that Fran tied, and a quick online search of it explains why people were upset that he wasn't given credit. So to respond, I didn't see the connection because all I could ever find on the Parasol was the Leeson/Schollmeyer pattern, and how every site featuring it mentions the Fran Betters original (minus the name Piggyback). I knew someone would let me know what it was called, and I'm glad it was you, Joe! Thanks again for the information...though what's the Carl Coleman MB nymph??? Ha ha! Tim
REQUEST….it would be incredible to see you make a video using CATGUT in the gorgeous colors available…Caddis green, peach, ginger, SO many great colors as they look utterly FANTASTIC wet as fished. This would be a great opportunity to generate some interest in this material, possibly a new all time favorites material !!!! L 👍🎣👍
its ok thank you hope everything is well with you too,little depressive that the season is over almost think i do some seatrout fishing too before the winter got one on a leftys deceiver today in the boat
Hi, Tim, you mentioned, as a shortcoming of the fly, not being able to drop the fly lower for fish feeding a little further below the surface. Do you see a need for that? If so, how about tying the tippet material into the fly but without the para post material and leaving the tippet material longer? Then when you fish it, you could position a small indicator on the tippet post at whatever position conditions dictated. Of course, there would be practical limits to how much further from the fly you could place the indicator and, perhaps, they would come into play quickly.
Hi Doug, I appreciate the comment and thoughts. You asked if I see a need for a longer tippet, and I have seen that need, but only in very specific instances. I've never tried an indicator on that post and wonder how it would cast? Love the suggestion! Tim www.troutandfeather.com
Thanks for the question, Nate, and I will use white in most circumstances except when casting far and low-light situations. The length varies to where in the water column the trout are feeding, though I prefer shorter, around 1". Tim
John, thanks for the kind words. To answer your question, that really depends. Are we talking freestone streams, spring creeks, or limestoners? Dry flies or nymphs? Also, streamers are excellent this time of year. Ha ha, so there are lots of factors at play. Let me know what you're thinking and I'll let you know. Tim
Thanks for replying Tim. I mainly fish the Yellow Breeches creek, in south Central PA. It is a limestone stream. Watched your video on the skinny nelson and used both pink and chartreuse beads and did very well. Stream is really low right now making it tough, so I would say what are the best fall nymph and dry fly patterns. Tied a few October caddis from your video and haven't had any real luck on that yet. Thanks and look forward to your input.
You're welcome, John, and for a limestone stream, I'm going to try some cress bug nymph at all times. For a dry fly in early Fall, I'd go with a small ant (preferably CDC), and move to a BWO or gray midge, depending on what's happening. Here's a cress bug I really love, and try it in smaller sizes right now. Good luck! Tim ua-cam.com/video/oq64hDTMBuQ/v-deo.html
Was out fishing the other day 20° sunny, midges started hatching. Went to set up my dry fly rig with a midge and when I opened my midge box a fly fell out and it was a parasol midge I had tied years ago . I hadn’t used one in years , so put it on went back down to the river first cast bam . Just tied some BWO and PMD versions getting ready for spring and summer. Thanks for sharing
Awesome, Mike, talk about luck with the fly falling out at the perfect time! Tim www.troutandfeather.com
Hi Tim,
Just for information the parasol post fly is about 21years old.
It was fisrtly tied in France with CDC indicator. That was 1996.
I produced the pattern commercially as " Submarine emerger" that was also 1996. ( GM Flies Kenya)
However, there was a difference in the tying system . The post was tied more forward closer to eye to henence the imetation to swim like a natural rising insect plus a modification to hook
To ensure consistency of the post fixing I modified the hooks, much similar to a Klinkhamer of today
Three years later Fulling Mill Flies UK introduced a similar pattern.
I have now retired, but still enjoy the pleusure of flying.
Giuliano
Giuliano, thanks for the information, and fishing this with a CDC post is very intriguing! I can see how that would be more delicate and a natural color. Were there other types of nymphs that you attached to the post? Thanks again for the information, and it's great to know you still tie. Tim
Hi Tim, nice pattern. I watched how to make the post and was glad you mentioned Betters, but I'm confused as to why you don't see his connection to this pattern. So here goes. I saw an article by Leeson& Schollmeyer in I think Flyfishing & Tying Journal. I thought it was longer than 10 years ago, but Betters pasted away in 2009 so it's possible. When I saw the article I said WT---! Betters tied the Piggyback way before this, and other readers apparently said the same because the next month the mag was flooded with angry letters of giving credit where credit is due. Subsequent articles contained "apologies" by the "duo" and even a very gracious and humble reply from Betters, who seemed to be less concerned then the legion of his followers that wrote the letters to the editor of the mag. The "duo" also cited another pattern that used a long parachute post, l think it's called the dandilion, the hackle remsembles the seed cluster of the flower (which we regard with sadness for the delicious weed is way past prime for consumption ;-)
I have Betters pattern guide published in 1986. Five pages devoted to the development of the Piggyback, which he did probably at age 16, and even wrote an article and submitted it to a well known mag. Unfortunately they sent him a letter saying it was an interesting pattern but too "esoteric" for their readers. He had forgotten about it over the years but found the letter in 1984 while sorting out some storage. So with renewed enthusiasm his tied some up and they produced just as good as when he made them probably in 1956.
The pattern solved a problem of having a fly both sink and float at the same time, unfettered by a float on the leader, and still indicate a bite with no lag time because the float is part of the fly. He mentions physics alot and I believe he was an engineer, I think he was a genius.
His post was size 2/0 thread, he felt mono was to stiff and would effect the movement of the nymph. His float was flared white deer belly on the thread, knotted then tied to hook after abdomen before thorax is tied. He clipped the hair ball to size and shape. He used an inch distance between ball and fly. He also soaked the balls in his homemade dressing of parrafin dissolved in white gas. He mentioned using small 1/4" corks, painted white, instead of deer hair, and a "limp" mono could also be used.
I think the parasol is a modern update on Betters piggy 🐖 back, much easier to tie. I tied every pattern in Betters book except for this, the last in his line up, mainly because of the flaring of hair out of hand with just thread. I stuck with the Usual and my own snowshoe emerger, a variant of Rosenbauer's. His uses for the fly are much the same as yours. And to help the novice nymph fisherman detect a suttle take. Also he loved fishing drys, and this pattern gave him the visual thrill of a surface take. I know from talking to him and reading the his book he was a line watcher. When I told him I just caught my first Ausable brown on a March brown I had tied while fishing behind the KOA he jumped in his chair and said dry fly! No a Carl Coleman MB nymph. I proudly told him how I saw a flash then my indicator moved sideways and I had a fish on. He sorta wrinkled his nose when I said indicator
I hope this clears the connection for you Tim. Thanks again.
Joe Duca Well written Joe.
Fly Tying with Justin Aldrich. Thank you!
Joe, thanks for the information and I can tell you must be a follower of Mr. Betters, too! ;-) You're the first person to give me an actual name of the fly that Fran tied, and a quick online search of it explains why people were upset that he wasn't given credit. So to respond, I didn't see the connection because all I could ever find on the Parasol was the Leeson/Schollmeyer pattern, and how every site featuring it mentions the Fran Betters original (minus the name Piggyback). I knew someone would let me know what it was called, and I'm glad it was you, Joe! Thanks again for the information...though what's the Carl Coleman MB nymph??? Ha ha! Tim
Tim Cammisa Prego signore mosca 👌 😘🍷
So, I know a little bit of Italian...but mosca???
VERY interesting pattern, SO many possibilities, great tie, much oblige !! L 👍🎣👍
You got it, Leonard, this is a style that will live on forever...much to the dismay of trout! ;-) Tim www.troutandfeather.com
REQUEST….it would be incredible to see you make a video using CATGUT in the gorgeous colors available…Caddis green, peach, ginger, SO many great colors as they look utterly FANTASTIC wet as fished. This would be a great opportunity to generate some interest in this material, possibly a new all time favorites material !!!! L 👍🎣👍
Thanks for the suggestion, Leonard, and I'll see what I can do. Tim www.troutandfeather.com
Nice fly. 👍
Thanks, Abe!
great idea thanks for sharing tim
You're welcome, Robert, and thanks for the comment. I hope all is well, buddy! Tim
its ok thank you hope everything is well with you too,little depressive that the season is over almost
think i do some seatrout fishing too before the winter
got one on a leftys deceiver today in the boat
Good luck with the finish, and sorry to hear it's happening soon. When you're ready to fish over here, let me know. Tim
thank you tim will do i preciate it very much will try to investigate the possibility just so i know what airport is the closest
Hi, Tim, you mentioned, as a shortcoming of the fly, not being able to drop the fly lower for fish feeding a little further below the surface. Do you see a need for that? If so, how about tying the tippet material into the fly but without the para post material and leaving the tippet material longer? Then when you fish it, you could position a small indicator on the tippet post at whatever position conditions dictated. Of course, there would be practical limits to how much further from the fly you could place the indicator and, perhaps, they would come into play quickly.
Hi Doug, I appreciate the comment and thoughts. You asked if I see a need for a longer tippet, and I have seen that need, but only in very specific instances. I've never tried an indicator on that post and wonder how it would cast? Love the suggestion! Tim www.troutandfeather.com
Amazing video
Thanks! Tim www.troutandfeather.com
Does the post color matter with finicky trout? Also how long should the post be?
Thanks for the question, Nate, and I will use white in most circumstances except when casting far and low-light situations. The length varies to where in the water column the trout are feeding, though I prefer shorter, around 1". Tim
Tim, in your opinion, what are the best trout flies for the fall here in pennsylvania? Awesome videos.
John, thanks for the kind words. To answer your question, that really depends. Are we talking freestone streams, spring creeks, or limestoners? Dry flies or nymphs? Also, streamers are excellent this time of year. Ha ha, so there are lots of factors at play. Let me know what you're thinking and I'll let you know. Tim
Thanks for replying Tim. I mainly fish the Yellow Breeches creek, in south Central PA. It is a limestone stream. Watched your video on the skinny nelson and used both pink and chartreuse beads and did very well. Stream is really low right now making it tough, so I would say what are the best fall nymph and dry fly patterns. Tied a few October caddis from your video and haven't had any real luck on that yet. Thanks and look forward to your input.
You're welcome, John, and for a limestone stream, I'm going to try some cress bug nymph at all times. For a dry fly in early Fall, I'd go with a small ant (preferably CDC), and move to a BWO or gray midge, depending on what's happening. Here's a cress bug I really love, and try it in smaller sizes right now. Good luck! Tim ua-cam.com/video/oq64hDTMBuQ/v-deo.html
Thanks Tim....gonna tie some up tonight. Saw you mentioned the fly shop in Boiling Springs...i get there a lot. Fantastic shop for sure.
Are 6s and 8s to big ?
I would say so, unless the insects you're representing are that size. I tend to go with something around a size 16. TC