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This is the fly that got attention at the pond, today. The water is really low and nothing new is going on... Summer is well on and the fish are "stressed." Noisy surface bugs had no effect, and I observed no top water activity. So I switched to buggy floater-sinkers.

Few flies fit this bill like tenkara-style "kebari." These simple flies land gently and remain in the surface film for 30 seconds or so. If no risers grab it, then it slowly sinks and acts like a wet fly/nymph. I got some surface swipes, but the serious takes happened beneath the water.

This was the first time I'd wet a line since my dad's passing. If I can just get my lazy butt up to the lake, I might do some good with the more competitive fish found there.

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Comment by David, aka, "McScruff" on August 21, 2014 at 1:40pm
I'm hanging on your efforts, Jim!
Comment by David, aka, "McScruff" on August 21, 2014 at 1:38pm
Haha, Tony!
Actually, the Sparrow is the perfect fly for the fly fishing nimrod. It's a relatively easy tie, with only a couple of easy to work with, inexpensive materials. Presentation is basically cast allow to sink and retrieve at varying depths and speeds. Slow or fast, sooner or later something will take notice.
It's classified as a nymph, and such flies represent the bulk of most fishes diets.
Comment by Tony Livingston on August 21, 2014 at 1:21pm

" In fact, it is almost impossible not to catch trout or other fish with this fly (Sparrow)."

Hmmm. I see this fellow does not fully realize the depths of my ineptitude, where fly fishing is concerned.

Comment by jim cosgrove on August 21, 2014 at 1:19pm

i am goona tie a few up tonight.if i can get my son to take me to his a private lake he has access to i might get 1 well over a pound.i did last ime i was there.

Comment by David, aka, "McScruff" on August 21, 2014 at 12:36pm
In, "The Book of Fly Patterns," by Eric Leiser, he states, "...all the materials used will pulse, breathe, and vibrate when fished, giving the appearance of a natural insect. In fact, it is almost impossible not to catch trout or other fish with this fly (Sparrow)."
Looking forward to your catches, Jim!
Comment by jim cosgrove on August 21, 2014 at 10:33am

thanks for link steve.i hope actually have a few pics of fish caught on these by sunday

Comment by David, aka, "McScruff" on August 21, 2014 at 8:41am
Thanks Steve!
I live so far out in the country that I have only limited internet. But I have the pattern in books and in my files.
Why don't we each tie one and see how we do?
Comment by Steve Wilson on August 21, 2014 at 8:33am

      Here's a couple of videos on tying the Sparrow

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DezS2_vG2TM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNFcWSmPIQg

Comment by David, aka, "McScruff" on August 21, 2014 at 7:19am
The Sparrow - a Wooly Bugger before we had Wooly Buggers.
I dont know if Jack had heard of tenkara, but I'm sure he would appreciate the simplicity.
He did tie soft hackle wet flies, after all.
Comment by jim cosgrove on August 21, 2014 at 6:54am

like the wet mouse david.like i said jack was a true american tyer.using probably whatever was at hand in his early days.not many use the after shaft feathers or the fluff off chicken hackle.it pulses in the water.the catskill and other new england tyers still were tying like the british .trying to out do each other with the married wing slips and obscure materials.i think it was more to sell flies than anything.kind of like the frenzy in bass lures.the latest greatest..will tie up some gartside sparrows.a nother great all purpose fly i had forgotten about.looks like nothing yet looks like everything fly

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