It was springtime in the Eastern Sierra, sometime in the early 80’s. I was going on my first fly-fishing adventure with friends who had fished this water before. I soon found out why the Upper Owens was considered one of California's blue ribbon trout streams. Thanks to the soft hackled fly and some amazing friends, the fishing that ensued was downright incredible and was the start of my fly-fishing and fly tying addiction.

The beauty of this fly comes from its simplicity and abundance of motion. A change in thread color, abdomen, and thorax materials can provide a wide array of imitations to
match what you may encounter stream side. It is just plain simple and effective.

Fly Recipe

Hook: Daiichi 1560 #12,14
Thread: Veevus 14/0 Rusty Brown
Body: Pheasant tail fibers
Rib: Small copper wire
Thorax: Ice Dub UV black
Hackle: Hungarian partridge