GRANNOMS

Due to the snow, our Saturday morning fly tying session was cancelled, and so I began the winters task of tying next seasons bugs. I always start tying hatches in the order they appear, so that I don’t end up with 60 dozen sulphurs in April and not enough grannoms or olives when I need them most.

These are the standard patterns that I’m never without during the grannom hatch, and of course, there are always a few patterns each year that are either new or experimental. In addition to these, there are many patterns that I like  for the egg layers, but I’ve not included them. The patterns shown here will catch fish throughout the entire hatch and I have not yet seen the day where I had to have an eggsack on my pattern to have success.  If we ever reach that point, trust me; we’re in trouble!

 The top pattern is the dry fly I use most often. It is a CDC / deer hair pattern that I have had alot of success with over the years.

 

 

 

Peacock & Partridge Soft Hackle

These patterns are extremely effective in the surface film when fish are rising. They both impart alot of movement which I think is key during this hatch, and the soft hackle is a great imitation for the emerger, or a struggling adult.

The next pattern shown is a La Fontaine Sparkle Caddis and there may not be a better pattern out there for an emerging caddis. Take a look at the following photos that i’ve collected over the past few seasons, and you’ll see why this pattern works so well.

La Fontaine Sparkle Pupa

 

The last fly is the Peeking Caddis. This pattern was introduced to me about four or five years ago by Ron McGraw and it is deadly. Now one thing that should be noted is that grannoms pupate in their case. In other words, when they emerge out of their case, they do so as a winged adult. That is why the soft hackle patterns work so well for them. Many people fish a green caddis larva during the grannoms with alot of success, but it’s not because the grannom is out crawling around, it’s because the rock worms are also very active once the photosynthesis begins to occur with the spring sun. This picture is of the Rock Worm, not to be confused with the Grannom Larva, but a major reason why bright green is so effective.

Rock Worm

Grannom Larva in case

Grannom pulled out of case

Peeking Caddis Pattern

April 23, 2008 Little Juniata River

Make sure you have plenty of bugs for this hatch, it is no-doubt, one of our best hatches!

We will be tying all of these patterns in our weekend tying sessions held every Saturday at our home in Spruce Creek. Give us a call by Thursday to let us know you’re coming. Plenty of coffee, conversation, snacks and materials!

As always, if you have any questions or comments, please feel free to call