Fly Tying the Baby Doll (Stillwater Streamer Variant)

[@martyrothman3933]

Good morning Matt good morning everyone nice way to wake up on a Saturday the learning continues:-)

[@SavageFlies]

Yes indeed Marty! It was a good day in Maryland. Hope you're having a great weekend too. :-)

[@Jd-yc3gw]

Good morning Matt. Nice simple pattern this morning. Having a coffee…..or 2 then off to go fencing ( not the kind with swords ). Take care and hope the fishing is great.

[@SavageFlies]

Ha! I'm glad you put that note in parentheses as I was already thinking... how cool would fencing be! But no, the other kind. I've done plenty of that in my day. And yeah, putting up fencing is not fun enough to get excited about. :-)

[@chevyguy6510]

Quick and easy ! Thanks Matt and good luck fishing!

[@SavageFlies]

Appreciate that! It was a pretty good day overall. Some beautiful weather and a few wild browns so I can't complain. :-)

[@edwardchavez5627]

Good Morning Sir Matt, Cool Looking Fly I Like It... :-) Have a great time Fishing, I sure would like to see some Pictures.

[@SavageFlies]

You too Edward! I don't usually take pictures of my fish, unless it's noteworthy or maybe the biggest fish I've caught all year. I did have a good day on the water, but the biggest wasn't much to brag about. :-)

[@montyhunter2260]

Sure enjoy your fly tying videos Matt, I usually download them so I can ty along with you, when I can get in front of a vice thanks for all the time you sacrifice.

[@SavageFlies]

Thank you Monty; that's a very nice comment to see. And I really do appreciate it. :-)

[@bigdaddy99929]

Very simple fly. Totally agree it needs the rib. 😀. Thanks again Matt.

[@SavageFlies]

I'm with you there Clyde! Thanks for the note. :-)

[@laytonmarvin3790]

Simple pattern and it catches fish, what more can you ask for. Thanks Matt for sharing and have a fantastic weekend.

[@SavageFlies]

Thanks Layton! I had a good day on the water (my only September fishing trip so far). I might be able to sneak a half day in on the Savage while out working the farm next weekend. We'll see. I love that place!

[@leemowers9395]

neat looking yarn fly, well done, thanks Matt.

[@edwardthornton2156]

Nice and simple that is the way to go. Thanks for sharing Matt . Have great time fishing.

[@SavageFlies]

Appreciate it Butch! And nothing wrong with simple flies my friend. My most successful fly today was a simple little pink zebra midge. :-)

[@jeffreystone7327]

Looks enjoyable to tie. But looks great as well. The options of colors would make this a fun one to tie several of. I like the Silver Fox tail. A new reason to head to the fair next summer. Now I look at the world through fly tiers glasses. Always looking for materials. Cool fly and a great job buddy. Thank you for the video Sir.

[@jimholland1592]

Good morning Matt, I was lazy this morning watching in bed🤣🤣🤣🤣 This was a easy today, will have to give it a go. Raining here May go to the lake and see what’s happening 🧐☕️☕️ let us know how it goes with you, I hope it productive for you👍

[@SavageFlies]

Still the first commenter Jim! I saw it pop up when I was driving to the river. It was a pretty good day on the water. Half a dozen fish (a couple decent ones) in the morning while nymphing. Then skunked after lunch while chasing the big guys with streamers. But the weather held out and it was a beautiful day in the low 80s. I'm looking at yoru picture of a pretty nice bigmouth. Is that a hare's ear I see??

[@jimholland1592]

@@SavageFlies lol, yes my go to bug. There were three chasing some small bait fish in the shallows. I put it close one turned, I gave it a strip and stop. He suck it in I set the hook good day lol! I have caught all my bass like that in just a couple of feet of water. Sounds like you had a good day as well👍

[@AS-vn1bs]

Nice tie! I had a friend who gave us a bunch of flies he used to use in Scotland and this was one of them. Particularly a pink and white one too. It works very well for brook trout as well as sunfish

[@SavageFlies]

I could definitely envision sunfish going for this simple one. Twitch it like a bug, or strip it like a fry and they would love it. :-)

[@michaelpeterson6413]

Nice tie Matt. I actually think the silver fox would have made a nice fluffy tail on the fly you just tied. Good luck fishing 🎣 later.

[@SavageFlies]

Thank you Michael! I'm definitely going to play around with this fox tail soon. I'm thinking it might make better winging material, but now that you mention a tail. We'll have to see!

[@skylazart]

Thank you Matt! Good fishing out there

[@bertiedoe6601]

Brill Matt and thanks. It's quite deadly this time of year (July) with the big rainbows and browns, close in, doing a bit of 'fry bashing'. Caught some on your pink and black and also olive and black. Strangely, an all red version works !! No perch in reservoir but it was rainy and overcast. Will try a couple in orange or yellow. Thanks again.

[@johnnylightning1491]

Nice fly Matt, I think there are probably endless combinations of colors for this fly. Keep the good stuff coming.

[@SavageFlies]

Oh yeah, some folks here have even mentioned in certain colors it can be an effective worm or nymph pattern. Definitely an endless combination of colors. :-)

[@ybarrajc]

Nice quick and simple

[@markfritch3168]

I like easy patterns. Thanks for sharing and best of luck on your upcoming fishing trip. Never used silver fox but great score at the fair. Continued blessings my friend.

[@SavageFlies]

Thank you Mark! I always appreciate the notes my friend. :-)

[@barbaraemerich1921]

That does look like a real easy one to tie. I’ll have have to try it today

[@davehall2160]

Cool looking minnow pattern Matt Hope you have a great day on the water, I got rained out Thanks for the video

[@SavageFlies]

Bummer Dave! I couldn't have asked for better weather. Rain yesterday, but clear today and the water was fine. Temp in the lower 80s, and overall a great day to get out. :-)

[@edpeter9411]

Nice! Looks like a fly even a rookie like me can tie quickly and load up the box. Time to raid the wife’s crochet basket again. 😂 I was pleasantly surprised to learn you live in Southern Maryland. I spent a lot of time down that way when I was stationed in Suitland (USN). Seems almost everyone I worked with lived in Waldorf or LaPlata, but we all fished the Bay. I don’t think anyone I knew fly fished, certainly not for trout. Locking in Northern VA now so we’re almost neighbors!

[@SavageFlies]

Ed- great to hear. Yeah, I live in the boonies east of La Plata. Also former Navy, currently a civilian at NSWC Indian Head. And actually, am on the Gunpowder River fishing this morning. I do get to VA often enough so we should definitely hook up sometime!

[@edpeter9411]

@@SavageFlies I look forward to it!

[@easttnflyfreak2870]

Great tye .Thanks Matt !!

[@charlieboutin3341]

Appreciate it Matt! I like this a lot! Super simple, and like the chenille tail. Going to tie some white belly with grey back for White bass run this spring. I’ll try without tinsel first, but have no doubt they’ll work, they’re not real picky eaters. May add some lead wraps under for the deeper 6’ pockets. I’ve been using mini Clousers (size of a Quarter) exclusively for Whites and it’s non-stop action when you find the school. I have a white fox tail I use in lots of flys ,many Clousers and articulated Game Changers, lots of cleaning underfur but really like it. Good fishing to you and have a great weekend! Fish On! 🎣

[@SavageFlies]

Outstanding comment Charlie! I'll bet a gray with white belly would be a killer pattern. And good call on adding weight to this thing. Fishing this thing in anything deeper than a couple feet would definitely benefit with some weight.

[@michaelmerlino6753]

Never knew the name but tied something very similar in flourscent green to imitate a Catawba worm for pan fishing,worked like a charm.tie a few and try it.

[@SavageFlies]

Oh man, I haven't heard anyone mention a Catawba worm in years! My grandma used to have some Catalpa trees when I was a kid. I didn't realize until JUST NOW when looking it up, that Catawba is just a different way to say the same thing. Good memories. Thanks Michael!

[@michaelmerlino6753]

@@SavageFlies Had two trees in the front yard in southern Virginia.First time my wife had ever seen the “worms” pick them bare she said we needed to spray them to kill them.I just told her that’s what they do and all the leaves will come back.People would stop by to pick some bait every so often.Froze a bunch for ruture use.

[@blue_ridge_on_the_fly4174]

Nice tie as always Matt. I work part time at my local Orvis store was talking to a guy about certain nymph patterns to use in the Smokies. Highly recommended the Tellico nymph and pulled my phone out and showed him your channel and told him that you had many more to choose from. Glad I came across your channel and keep it up.

[@SavageFlies]

Wow, thanks Tim! I really appreciate helping spread the word. If anyone else asks about GSM bugs, tell them I highly recommend the Sheep Fly as well. Yes, the Tellico is great... something about the yellow belly, but I tell you I've had luck all over the country with the Sheep fly. Especially tied with grizzly soft hackle tips for the wings. It's kind of a combination between a wet fly and a fuzzy nymph, but I typically fish it as a nymph and then strip it a couple of feet at the end of a drift. Thanks for the note my friend. :-)

[@blue_ridge_on_the_fly4174]

Anytime, and thanks for the advice on the sheep fly. Will definitely have to tie a couple myself and give it a go.

[@dennismccarthy7146]

As always, entertaining and educational. BZ

[@TERRYBIGGENDEN]

Oh wow-send me a small hunk of that silver fox!!!! The Baby Doll is amazing thing. I tied a few last year and they work. :-):-)

[@SavageFlies]

Sure Terry! If you seriously want some I'll send you a patch. (As long as your in the U.S. Just email me your address!)

[@TERRYBIGGENDEN]

@@SavageFlies It's OK. Im in Australia and postage is steep. I'm fine. I've seen Artcic fox used on many Scandinavian flies and it seems a wonderful material for many purposes. I may try and buy some one day. I have a patch of normal fox fur and it's terrific anyway. Best wishes and thanks. :-0

[@karljones6594]

Good morning sir. I just tied some of these myself in various colors to try up on thr Salmon River. Good luck on your fishing trip.

[@SavageFlies]

Thank you Karl! I'm surprised how many people have either heard of this pattern, or actually tied it. It's not in many books at all!

[@karljones6594]

I found it in Bob Church book The International Guide to Trout Flies

[@SavageFlies]

@@karljones6594 I don't have that one Karl. Is it worth checking out?

[@karljones6594]

It's a good book not a how to but more of a pattern book gives a picture and recipe and a comment. I got it used and would say its worth checking out Matt.

[@flyfishingchannel]

Amazing fly!

[@crowdaddy8355]

Easy pattern and you could do a ton of variations when tying it. Thanks Matt

[@SavageFlies]

Definitely could Chad. And I read in a couple of places that the chartreuse or fluorescent green version does really well too.

[@chrisingram9798]

I tie the same fly but use Shetland oyster yarn for the body and peacock hearl for the tail and back, or pheasant tail fibers for the tail/back. They are killers for trout. 12-16 in a 3x long work best.

[@SavageFlies]

Wow, cool to hear Chris! Do you fish it as a nymph in these small sizes? If I was stripping it as a streamer (a minnow fry), I'd think you wouldn't want to go much smaller than a 10-12. But tying this thing in a #16 3x long, I could whip this out in about two minutes!

[@johnharpin8039]

Use a variant on the reservoirs of NE England. White body with a lime green back ... very effective on the right day.

[@SavageFlies]

Cool to hear! This is one of these patterns that you really don't hear of many people fishing. But still kind of fun to tie. :-)

[@dahutful]

county fair?? Thats no way for an angler to spend his time! What was that black and pink candy we used to get - licorice? "Good and Plenty" thats it! The Good and Plenty Baby Doll! And I gotta say, searching for "baby doll" on the web leads to some very stimulatin' moments. Thannnks Matt

[@SavageFlies]

Haaaa David that's funny! I definitely remember Good and Plenty. I think they may still be around. But you're right about searching for this pattern... even searching for "baby doll fly pattern" didn't turn up much! Thanks for the laugh my friend. :-)

[@tomharvey7436]

The rusty rat uses that fur thanks for another great fly

[@SavageFlies]

Thank you Tom; that's great to hear! The Rusty Rat is on my to-do list. Someone requested it but I can't remember who. I just looked it up... what a cool pattern! I'm definitely going to get to this one soon. Thanks for the note. :-)

[@kalikasurf]

Some footage of ya on your local water would be cool!

[@SavageFlies]

Maybe someday Eddie! I used to take a GoPro on most fishing trips, but man, making a fishing video is a chore. Lots of batteries and memory cards, than potentially hours of footage to pull out 10-15 minutes of good stuff. And some days I suck so bad, that there is no good footage at all. But I have thought about doing it again. I just don't want to change the focus of Savage Flies. Maybe another channel later... Savage Fly Fishing. :-)

[@kalikasurf]

@@SavageFlies that’s a pretty solid answer!!! fair enough. i know i’d get banned in the first week if i posted fishing videos!!!! all the swearing and violence!!! a grown man having a melt down every time i get a fly stuck in a bush or tree!!! and no reason to add extra editing time to your day! we’re happy with what ya give us as it is

[@rider660r]

So.Maryland huh? I used to cut trees for PEPCO and SMECO from '90-99 everywhere from Frederick to Point Lookout State Park.

[@SavageFlies]

Yep, but I'm a little further south than that. Down near Waldorf and a little closer to the bay and Patuxent River.

[@rider660r]

@@SavageFlies Ok,yeah I know where that's at,stayed in the Days Inn in Waldorf for 5-6 of those yrs.I used to eat at the Bryantown Mall a lot (think it's a Shell now).You probably seen our Penn L equipment around.I think there's still crews down there yet.

[@rider660r]

They used to make the best Pulled Pork Sandwiches.

[@FlyTyer1948]

Looks easy. From the thumbnail, I was expecting it to be a nymph or worm, since there wasn’t a wing. I wonder what the originator was trying to imitate.

[@SavageFlies]

The book said it was just a fry imitation. And a quote from on page online: "It is taken by trout feeding on the fry of roach and other fish that have reflective flanks." I don't even know what a roach fish is. :-) english-fly-fishing-flies.s3-website-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/streamer-babydollwhiteandgreen.html

[@FlyTyer1948]

@@SavageFlies I’m not positive, but I think roaches are in the sucker family. If it is supposed to imitate fry, that would make it a streamer, but I still cling to my antiquated idea that a streamer should have a movable wing, not just a tail. ;-)

[@greggiono8789]

The black and pink reminds me of Elvis,Elvis' Undertaker.

[@SavageFlies]

Yes! Or one of those suits a band from the 50-60s would have worn. Funny one Greg. :-)

[@petejubie7563]

counter wrap the rib?

[@SavageFlies]

I probably should have Pete but the wool yarn I was using was actually pretty strong so I don't think it was too delicate. (But honestly, I just didn't think about it.) :-)

[@rickpayne2941]

Matt, Where do you get your wool from?

[@SavageFlies]

Rick- I've got several packs of this stuff: flyshack.com/DisplayItem.aspx?ItemID=111117 But also, I'll buy full skeins of wool yarn at stores like Michael's or JoAnnes. In fact, I just picked up four skeins of this K+C Nordic yarn on clearance this weekend. One or two of these in white, dye it a few different colors, cut into small pieces and put in your coffee grinder and you'll have enough wool dubbing to last the rest of your life! www.joann.com/kc-nordic-yarn/18222273.html

[@rickpayne2941]

Thank you Matt.

[@randymorris8740]

Should work well on steelheads...

[@SavageFlies]

Steelhead fishing.... ahhh. On my must-do list. And soon I hope!

[@harryjoesather6539]

way easy lol