Steelhead Fishing: the Dirty Harry Waddington shank Version

[@stephencifka4629]

Great pattern. I appreciate the camera angles you use, very similar to the point of view you would actually see while tying. It's easy to take all the production skill for granted, but it really makes a huge difference. I like the stiffness of the mono, just right for stingers. Thanks!

[@hooked4lifeca]

I produced a video on my studio setup that you might find interesting: kzbin.info/www/bejne/g3OxqZ-Lo62FhsU I've since made significant improvements to the lighting by using LED panels instead of the photofloods so the colour temperature is far more consistent.

[@roberta.k4213]

Looks good!!! I like it!

[@stevetrybalski3082]

Good morning Peter, it has been some time since I posted. Nice tying session with my coffee this morning. Looks like I have another nice looking pattern to tie up and try. I wonder what your Weamer pattern would look like tied up in this style?

[@hooked4lifeca]

Hi Steve, While the Brown Trout Weamer would look good in this style, I've been reluctant to tie it this way. I have a short striking problem with a lot of my patterns, but not the BTW. The fish inhale that fly and I've been concerned about the possibility of the fish being too deeply hooked if I tie it with a stinger hook. When I first started to use the BTW for steelhead I was having a weird problem. As the fly swung, I'd feel these hard, almost metallic 'ticks" then nothing. No weight, no movement of the line, nothing, just "tick, tick, tick". Almost always three ticks. This must have happened dozens of times. I've always followed the rule of "wait for the weight" but one day after feeling the first tick, I set the hook and surprise, there was a nice bright steelhead on the end of the line with the BTW well inside of its mouth. I figured out what was happening. The fish were coming up behind the BTW, taking it leisurely, then slowly arcing away, which had the effect of straightening out the sinktip and leaving me with no indication of what was going on. The ticking was the leader skipping over their teeth as the fish slowly turned. Unlike other flies which fish hit out of curiosity or aggression, they were feeding on the BTW so the take wasn't the usual smash or pluck, just a leisurely inhale. As a consequence, I've never tied this pattern on a shank with a stinger hook.

[@stevetrybalski3082]

@@hooked4lifeca Thanks for your insight much appreciated. Just an FYI, if you have a source for white Uni yarn pick it up as white is not in the line up of colors anymore. I have gone to a substitute and by accident I found out that it has UV properties.

[@hooked4lifeca]

@@stevetrybalski3082 Thanks for the heads-up. I'll be sure to pick some up the next time I'm in the store. Usually I'm a couple of spools ahead as I go through a lot of it.

[@predatorking3131]

Have you ever tried to make it in different colors like blue and black? Maybe chartreuse and black as well?

[@hooked4lifeca]

No I haven't, but there's no reason not to.