Listen Now

In this weeks episode we bring you an interview with Larry Tullis. He is an experienced and accomplished guide, author, photographer and a fearless flyfishing adventurer. He talks about some of his books and the process he goes through to get them published, his Alaskan fishing adventures, Daphnia -his unique and innovative fly patterns and techniques to immitate this overlooked foodsource for trout in lakes. He also talks about some of his experiences and the techniques he employs at the National fly fishing championships. You can contact Larry through North Fork Outdoors to learn more about an Alaska back country fishing adventure.www.northforkoutdoors.com


Fly of the Week:
Tullis Daphnia Cluster

Many trout in lakes feed heavily on daphnia but I had not heard of anyone trying to imitate these miniscule crustaceans. Several years ago I came up with a pattern that, when fished ultra-slow on the sink, catches daphnia feeding trout regularly (confirmed by stomach pump samples). Daphnia feeders are often very large and have not been hooked before for lack of daphnia fly anglers. Since trout take clusters of these nutritous foods rather than individuals, this fly imitates a cluster of the food items daphnia feeders are looking for. The slower the retrieve the better. The flies should sink slowly on a tight line.


Recipe

HOOK: 2XL or 3XL streamer #2-#12.
THREAD: 3/0 Orange.
TAIL: Wisps of brown marabou w/minimal flash.
UNDERBODY: Optional fine crystal chenille.
BODY: Canadian Brown mohair yarn picked out.
LEGS: mohair fibers dotted with red, orange or green T-shirt paint.
HEAD: SLF dubbing dubbed as attractor in various colors.

Tying Instructions
Wind a little lead wire on shank if desired. Start thread and tie in marabou tail with a few strands of crystal flash.
Tie in the Canadian Mohair yarn and fluff the fibers out before winding forward. Brush or pick the fibers out after winding mohair.
Dubb the head with SLF dubbing to create a little flash and contrast for algae laden waters. Tie the fly off.
Use orange, red or green T-shirt paint (in small squeeze tube) to dab small dots of paint (20-30) onto the fibers to simulate a cluster of daphnia edibles.