Fly Tying Bonanza For GSMNP

Bucktail Rainbow in size #8

So it is finally going to happen.  A buddy and I have wanted to hit Hazel Creek in the Smoky National Park for over two years and as of yesterday we have our site booked and are preparing for a killer of a fishing trip.  Unfortunately as I began to pack up the gear I found that my fly box was lacking in almost every fly I go to in times of need.  It is disgraceful how lax I have been on my fly tying lately but with all the other project I have had going on it is not a surprise.

  So first on the list is to tie up some of the most prominent flies I will expect to fish in the smokies and of course that is going to include a bucket full of caddis, mayflies, and the little green weenie.  Thanks to my boy I have a great photo example of what my Green Weenies needed to look like so to the bench I went and whipped up a few followed up with a few red and brown San Juan Worms because lets face it - they are almost identical except for the color and black head.

GREEN WEENIE
Hook     - #14 Nymph
Thread   - Olive
Body     - Green
Head     - Peacock Herl

I chose not to include any weight for this fly because I figure most inchworms do not last long in the water long enough to sink very deep.  At least that is my hope.

  Another creation I came up is borderline as far as streamers go but I am one who like to push the boundaries.  What I call it is the Flash Blacknosed Dace.  Essentially I took the spoon head spinner off a lure and slid it on the front of the shank of my fly.  I then put a black bead on the head for the spinner to rotate around.  The rest of the Blacknose Dace is tied pretty much the same as the original. I don't know if it will work but I thought I would give it a shot.  For you purists out their that have cringed at the thought of making a fly look and act like those cursed spinning rigs I will give you my not so sincere apologies.  If it makes you feel any better I am not expecting to have much success with it.

  For those of you that would like to try it for yourself you can buy a hand full of these spinner spoon like this in the crappie section of the local store.  I simply took off the spoon and used it on the shank of my hook.  If any of you have success with it let me know.  When I get back from my trip I will also tie up a few bass bugs using this method to see how that works.  I suspect the bass with love it.