While olive green is one of the most popular colors used in flies these days, just think the Blue Winged Olive, I don't find myself using many traditionally green flies.
But since it's St. Patrick's Day week, I figured we'd celebrate with a look at some of the wacky green flies we get a kick out of - almost as much as a cold pint of green St. Patty's Day brew.
Heck, you might even try one of these while fly fishing the Green River this week (yes, there is really a Green River, which has some tremendous fishing in the Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area in Utah).
Green Sparkler
A British streamer used for bass, the Green Sparkler is made up of St. Patty's style green holographic tinsel with the goal of mimicking a small bass or minnow.
Dreamweaver Strong Fly
This is technically a trolling teaser fly, built with a rattle head and a flashy skirt in a pattern that's fittingly named "Mountain Dew." There's also a "green glow" version if you're fishing on St. Patty's night.
Green Weenie
A funny name for a funny fly. One of the simplest patterns you'll find, the Green Weenie is green chenille wrapped around a hook to imitate a green sedge caddis larva. This is actually a pretty popular fly among guides.
Articulated Dragon
This magic dragon, made for large waters, of course, is new to the Orvis catalog. I'm guessing it's good for bass, but not sure I'd fish it outside Loch Ness.
Green Meanie
This is actually a nice general purpose nymph, working great as a dragonfly/damselfly nymph. It's made of olive hackle, dubbing and peacock herl, the key ingredients to any St. Patty's Day fly.
Green Butt
Also known as Green Skunk Butts, because of their black and white bodies and green behinds, these salmon and steelhead flies have been around forever ... although, I have a feeling I'd be getting "skunked" if I ever went with this pattern in my neck of the woods.
What are your favorite green flies? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
A look at the latest fly fisherman up for world record consideration, according to the International Game Fish Association:
It wasn't the biggest fish he's caught, but a 1-pound, 4-ounce Pacific barracuda might just land Martin Arostegui in the World Record book, again.
That's right, International Game Fish Association Lifetime Achievement Award winner Arostegui was at it again last month, catching a potential world-record barracuda off Golfito, Costa Rica.
Arostegui landed the fish Feb. 8 on a hand-tied Arostegui Small Pilchard Fly on a 2-pound tippet.
The Pacific barracuda was added as a new world record species by the IGFA in April 2009.
If the approved, Arostegui will have over 300 IGFA fishing records.
Photo courtesy IGFA.
A look at fly fishing related news making headlines over the past week:
- West Coast angler and former Major League Baseball player Frank Bertaina died last week. He was 66. Rivers of a Lost Coast.
- Have fishing books become less valuable? Field and Stream.
- Book penned by Izaak Walton 350 years ago is still the angler's Bible. Cape Breton Post.
- People who fly fish? Winter Olympic medalist Johnny Spillane hooks two 25-inch rainbows. Steamboat Pilot.
This week's fly fishing news and notes from around the country:
- People who fish? Add Tom Brokaw to the list. LA Times
- Summer salmon season (Everett Washington) should be a familiar sight, Washington DFG says. Heraldnet.com
- Mild weather has boosted angler enthusiasm and catches during this past Monday's trout opener on Eastern Washington lakes. Seattle Times
- Florida's snook fishery, decimated by January's extended cold wave, is expected to remain closed until September to give the stocks a chance to recover. Miami Herald
- American Rivers, the nation's leading river conservation organization, has been awarded the 2010 Conservation Grant from Orvis. Fox Business
