OK Bubble-Doubter... Hello Hans! 99% of the time I fish soft hackles in the surface film or slightly below. Whatever gas bubbles LaFontaine had referred to regarding caddisflies is not exactly what I was trying to imitate when I added that bit of fluff to the existing pattern because, if I understand his writing correctly, most of his paterns pertaining to this subject were to be fished very well submerged.
On flat water there is nothing on the surface that causes any unique refraction or reflection of light. With an emerging insect in the middle of that piece of flat water it becomes an entirely different situation. If you watch an emerger stuck in the meniscus you will notice that the way the water is "bent" during the emergent penetration of the surface looks very similar to a bubble and it is entirely possible for some gas to be trapped as a bubble while the insect is wriggling around. Because the whole process I witnessed happened fairly quickly and was on moving water it is difficult to say that what I observed is in fact a true bubble of gas (air) or just the disturbed surface of the water resulting from the insect popping through it. What I do know is that after witnessing both caddis and especially mayfly emergences I went home and made air bubbles in a cup of water with an eyedropper. When then looking at those bubbles from underneath the difference in the way light is refracted is quite significant. Then came time at the vise...glass beads wouldn't allow the fly to be fished where I wanted it and Krystal Flash and Flashabou were too obtrusive. I wanted a subtle hint of flash that didn't take away from the sexiness and allure of the traditional pattern...and I think I was successful on all counts. The Improved patterns don't look that much different than the originals and, in my experience, they work better. I believe it was Iain that mentioned reverting back to using the silk that the original patterns were dressed with. This is a very good point that should not go unnoticed. Silk has qualities that are not easily replicated and, just as a few strands of Antron can make a difference, so too can something as simple as the thread we use. Pearsall's is widely available and although more expensive than regular tying thread, adds to the fly in a way that polyester or nylon thread just can't imitate. Hope this helps to clarify the stirred pot. Happy Holidays All! Don --- Hans Weilenmann <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > On 22 Dec 2002 at 12:01, Don Johnson wrote: > > Hi Don, > > Interesting modifications. > > I understand the (rayon) floss shellback, even if a > thread tag rib > might serve the same purpose, but... > > > Rather, it was my intent to have the Antron > > add just a little flash at the point on the fly > where > > the emergence (from nymph to dun) would be > initiating > > (at the wingcase) as is the case with a natural > insect > > during the emerger stage when a gas bubble or > bubbles > > have formed. > > ... which gas bubble or bubbles are you referring to > here? > > Cheers, > Hans > ===== http://www.geocities.com/salmn8r/caddisforkids.html __________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail Plus - Powerful. Affordable. Sign up now. http://mailplus.yahoo.com
