Fishing Halfbacks

[Bob Newman]

I can not remember when I last fished either a half-back or a full-back but I sure did when I was younger.... great fly... its funny how you get onto new flies and forget about the ones that got you started...... like Rat-faced Mcdougals, Spruce flies, Black gnats and Mosquito patterns....... I think I have a box of half-backs somewhere that I need to find.......

I was just thinking about that the other day while digging through fly boxes trying to find something different to use.I kept finding flies I hadn’t seen in years.

Unfortunately many folks are trying to invent the “new” hot fly and forget the patterns that got us here.

 

[Islander]

I remember way back when, a long time ago, you showed me that pattern and how to tie it. I still have some and use them on occasion. They are a productive pattern. The ones I tie are only half as good as yours, so I call them a "Quarterback".

 

[Roper]

Ive, funny how we all have our go to patterns. Mine is a Carey, Steve’s is his Camo Carey, Tim’s bead head simi seal leech, and when Scott goes dark a SWW...

 

[IveofIone]

Yeah Rick, we are all different but the best part is that we all catch fish! I think to some extent we have a little of that .."if it ain't broke don't fix it" mentality. Learning how to fish a few patterns really well makes a lot more sense to me than changing flies like a butterfly in a flower garden.

I would kinda equate the latest hot fly contingent with the noobs that think an $800 fly rod will catch them 4 times as many fish as a $200 model.

Get good at what you got before you get more.

 

[dp]

still haven't seen a picture of that fly

 

[Bowbonehead]

Ive, funny how we all have our go to patterns. Mine is a Carey, Steve’s is his Camo Carey, Tim’s bead head simi seal leech, and when Scott goes dark a SWW...

There you go again bringing up my past with a Carey Special next you'll be mentioning Doc Spratley's and 52 Buicks .......

 

[SpeyDragon]

The Doc is the first fly out of the box when searching a lake....

 

[Bowbonehead]

Same one I use in the preferred Black

 

[Buzzy]

There you go again bringing up my past with a Carey Special next you'll be mentioning Doc Spratley's and 52 Buicks .......

Getting away from Ive’s thread but can’t help myself. I guess it was about ten years ago three of us stopped at the Little Fort fly shop. That was where I was introduced to the ‘52 Buick. We stayed at an “off the grid” resort (snort) and fished new water to us. The ‘52 Buick accounted for quite a few fish. Forgot about the pattern.

 

[Wayne Kohan]

So Ive, do you tie yours with pheasant tail legs up front, or do you rib yours with hackle kinda like a wooly bugger? I’ve seen it tied both ways it seems.

A pic would be great, to echo dp.

Wayne

 

[IveofIone]

Wayne, I have a helluva time posting pics on here. I'll see if i can send some to Old 406 Kid and have him post them. He's really good at that stuff and I'm not.

 

[Old Man]

Wayne, I have a helluva time posting pics on here. I'll see if i can send some to Old 406 Kid and have him post them. He's really good at that stuff and I'm not.

How did you post that picture you have in your Avatar. You must of figured something out.

 

[Old406Kid]

Wayne, I have a helluva time posting pics on here. I'll see if i can send some to Old 406 Kid and have him post them. He's really good at that stuff and I'm not.

Lucky is a better description than good but happy to help.

 

[Richard Olmstead]

The Doc is the first fly out of the box when searching a lake.... View attachment 216778

I carry a whole box of Doc Spratelys when I fish lakes. If it is a lake with coastal cutts, I am likely to start with an orange-bodied Doc.

 

[Speyrod GB]

I used to use grizzly hackle for the collar and skipped the peacock herl on the head of my sprately's. Have never fished them in a lake, always a SRC river fly for me. Steelhead and coho used to take them as well. A great fly.