The Trout Line Newsletter - February 15, 2021

Fly of the Month - Yellow Sally


Written by Mike Gentry.

I'm reaching a bit far on this one.  I honestly don't know how prevalent these stoneflies are in Oregon or southwest Washington, but I can tell you that on any venture into Idaho, Montana or Wyoming (and probably other western states) in June through much of the summer, a wise fisherman will be well-armed with these ladies.  And besides, it is just a GORGEOUS little fly.  So that's my pick for this column and I'm sticking with it.

Hook: Tiemco 5212 (2x long), nos 14-16
Thread:  Light cahill or pale yellow 8/0
Body: Light yellow fine dubbing
Underwing: Crystal flash
Wing: Light elk hair
Thorax: Light yellow fine dubbing
Hackle: Ginger

1.Dub a fairly sleek body from the bend of the hook two-thirds of the way to the eye.

2. Tie in three strands of crystal flash and trim even with the back end of the body.

3.  Cut and stack a small amount of light elk hair (the wings are not very dominate) and tie in so that the tips extend to the back of the bend of the hook.

4.  Tie in a ginger hackle, butt first, at the front of the body with the hackle sticking off the back of the fly and out of the way.  The hackle should be sized so that the hackle splines, when would, extend even with the bottom of the hook.  If you have trouble guessing the size, the hackle can be slightly oversized and the hackle on the finished fly can be trimmed even with the bottom of the hook.

5. Dub in the thorax so that it is slightly "fatter" than the body.  Finish the dubbing winds just short of the back of the eye.

6. Wind the hackle four turns forward to the front of the thorax, tie off and trim.

7. Wind and cement the head.

This stonefly (isoperla bilineata) also comes in a lime version (isoperla imbecilla), though I understand that the yellows are the more prevalent.  I also understand the emergences are often nocturnal, but I have encountered them in droves the evenings on such streams as Rock Creek in Montana, as well as in the afternoon.  Try them - you'll like them!              

 

Welcome New Members

Phil Renner - Beaverton, OR
Julie Smelter - Portland, OR
Angela Madsen - Portland, OR
Alexis & Matthew Erickson - Newberg, OR
Richard Conner - Portland, OR

           

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