BLACK LEECH (copper
flash): Black is
one of the basic must have colors. In
dark conditions, whether stained water
or cloudy day, black gives the most
contrast. Bright colors require light to
reflect which is not available in half
light or through silt stained water. The
flash is copper. Jay believes the red
hue in copper is a more effective color
than the more yellow brass or silver.
The Black Leech is particularly
effective in Klamath Lake in southern
Oregon where there is a substantial
population of giant black leeches up to
4 inches in length and the diameter of a
fountain pen. Leeches are common in
areas with mud bottoms.
CINNAMON LEECH (copper
flash): This is a
season long color for Eagle Lake. This
shade of brown is one of the dye colors
Jay developed that has proven very
effective for Eagle Lake Trout. This fly
is the same color as an insect in Eagle
Lake that is similar in appearance to
the land based centipede or thousand
legger. The Cinnamon Leech is also
effective in the alkaline lakes found
throughout the Great Basin between the
Sierra/Cascades and the Rocky Mountains.
ALL ROUND BEST: This
bright yellow fly with orange accents is
the first choice for trolling at depths
below 20 feet where the light begins to
be filtered out. It is also the first
choice in Jay’s series for targeting
brown trout.
OLIVE LEECH: This fly
matches up well with the camouflage
colors of minnows and dragon fly nymphs
in waters with weed beds.
TUI CHUB (copper
flash): This fly
is based on the tui chub minnow which is
the common baitfish of the
inter-mountain west. The same counter
shaded olive over pearl is common in all
shallow water environments. Tui chubs
can grow to over 12 inches long in the
proper conditions. They will spawn when
water temperatures reach 70 degrees.
This fly is a go to pattern after the
spawn, when trout focus on the numerous
bait fish.
HOT ORANGE: This is an
early spring attracter color at Eagle
Lake. It is my personal favorite for
year around trolling. I always start
with an orange fly in my initial
trolling spread and experiment with
other colors from there. I have found it
very effective in the fall. I think of
it as a Halloween/harvest time color.
WHITE/SHAD (copper
flash): This is
effective in the open waters of larger
lakes where schools of shad or smelt
feed on plankton suspended over deep
water. This color is also good to use as
a basis for coloring your own
combinations. Permanent ink felt tip
pens can be used to darken the top, add
par marks on the side or add a touch of
red at the gill location.
CHARTREUSE: This
versatile color is a good option over
deep water where fish will respond to a
variety of “hot colors”. I would not
hesitate to substitute this shade of
green in situations where green or olive
has been effective in the recent past.
Chartreuse also provides good visibility
in brown stained water.
FINE
FLIES
