Dry Flies

Dry fly patterns for use specifically in Ontario. Ontario mayfly, stonefly, caddis fly patterns and more. From late march until late December, flies will continue to hatch in Ontario if weather conditions are right.

Black Stonefly Stimulator

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black-stimulator-fly

Around the end of March, black stoneflies begin to emerge on rocks in streams.  This is also the time that steelhead begin to enter rivers in the spring to make their annual pilgrimage to their natal, headwaters streams.  Although most fish won’t be looking up for their food just yet, often they can be teased with a well skated dry fly. Black stone flies will be present through June and even beyond in many places, so keep a few of these patterns in your fly box all season long. [singlepic id=40 w=500 float=center] Hook various sizes of stimulator hooks Thread black 6/0 Tail stacked elk hair Abdomen Hackle black dry fly hackle Ribbing gold wire Body black dry fly dubbing

Golden Stonefly Stimulator Fly Pattern

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stimulator

Once the end of May and the beginning of June are here, my go to fly pattern for large trout is the golden stonefly stimulator pattern.  These are big, bushy flies that have many uses.  Not only will they imitate large stoneflies well, but they also imitate grasshoppers, beetles, bees and even small mammals such as moles that may fall into the river.  Keep a good inventory of these bushy fly patterns in your fly box all summer long. [singlepic id=38 w=500 float=center] Hook various sizes of stimulator hooks Thread brown 6/0 Tail stacked elk hair Abdomen Hackle Red Cock Ribbing gold wire Body yellow dry fly dubbing Wing Stacked Elk Hair Thorax Orange dry fly dubbing Hackle grizzly Head

High Riding Elk Hair Caddis – Hackled

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elk-hair-caddis

When caddis are skittering and flying about the streams surface, they tend to bounce around on top of the water.  I’ve noticed this tends to happen in areas where the water is flowing quite quickly.  Mimicking the behavior of caddis  at this stage in their lives, the egg laying stage can be a tough task.  The method I usually employ is skating the fly on the surface, and usually making quite the disturbance on the surface as well.  This is a good thing, as the caddis flies are doing the same thing.   Check out this article and video about skating dry flies. [singlepic id=43 w=500 float=center] Hook size 12 – 18 dry fly Thread brown 6/0 Body olive dry fly

Green Drake Extended Body

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green-drake-ontario

Green Drake hatches can begin very early in the day, and commonly start before sunrise. The hatch will continue throughout the day, one or two drakes at a time. Usually beginning around the end of May, and continuing for a couple of weeks. [singlepic id=41 w=500] Hook size 8-12 Thread Uni black 8/0 Tail Wild Boar Fibres Rib Pale Yellow thread Body Green dry fly dub Hackle grizzly dry fly palmered forward Wing Tan elk hair comparadun style Head thread head You may also be interested in a video about the giant green drake Fly Pattern Specific Rivers: Upper Saugeen river

Elk Hair Caddis – No Hackle

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no-hackle-elk-hair-caddis

Caddis are small moth-like insects that have two pairs wings. They are closely related to Lepidoptera (moths and butterflies) which have scales on their wings, and the two orders together form the superorder Amphiesmenoptera. There are numerous species that occur in Ontario, but I tend to focus on three of the more dominant species. The Spotted Sedges (Hydropsyche), Speckled Sedges (Cheumatopsyche), and the Little Black Caddis (Chimarra). Early in the season, larval imitations of caddis are an important fly to fishers. Later in the season, when hatches are well underway and many species of fly are hatching and mating, caddis can be the best fly to tie on as there will almost always be trout sipping caddis off the surface.

Sulphur Dun

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latestpostssulphurdun

Sulphurs tend to hatch in slower waters. They are tiny, and thankfully usually hatch in great numbers, bringing even the weariest of trout to the surface for a meal.  Sulphurs are a major hatch on many southern Ontario streams early to late June. Tying Materials: Hook Size 18 dry fly Thread uni 8/0 white Tail white elk fibres Body orange dry fly dub Hackle dry fly palmered forward Wing White elk hair Head Neat thread head Tying Tips: Tie in the elk hair wing first, facing forward. Bring the hair back to form an upright wing before moving to the rear and adding the tail, body and finally the hackle. Fly Pattern Specific Rivers: I’ve found this patterns particularly useful

Little Blue Winged Olive Dun Parachute LBWO

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blue-winged-olive-parachute

The Little Blue Winged Olive tied parachute style is a perfect imitation for smaller stream fishing. The fly floats very low, almost in the surface film, and when the fly is not dressed, it could easily imitate an emerging dun as it drifts downstream, rear portion submerged. Once a dressing of dry fly floatant is applied, the fly will ride perfectly flat as it drifts downstream in the current.  Tie these flies tiny and sparse. [singlepic id=31 w=500 float=center]   Tying Materials: Hook Size 18-24 dry fly Thread uni 8/0 grey Tail grizzly hackle fibres Body olive dry fly dub Hackle grizzly hackle Wingpost White elk hair Head Neat thread head   Front View [singlepic id=29 w=325 float=center]    

Light Hendrickson

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light hendrickson dun

Hendrickson Mayflies are one of the larger, early season emergers in Ontario.  Beginning early to midmay and lasting until June, these flies provide some of the first surface action of the season in many areas.  Flies should be tied in sizes that reflect natural insect sizes in the area you intend to fish.  The hendrickson dun differs from the spinner in that it tends to be a light grey or tan colour, where the spinner is usually a mahogany or burgundy colour. Hatches usually occur mid day when the weather is rather warm and sunny. Ingredients Hook dry fly size 12 Thread uni 8/o brown Tail Grizzly dry fly hackle fibres Body Tan dry fly dub Wing white elk hair