Home Grown

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THANKS TO DON MARTINEZ

just tie one on

WALLPAPER:  WOOLLY WORM

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..The venerable Woolly Worm.  The pattern probably started out as a bass fly in the southeastern United States at the beginning of the 20th century.

DON IN FRONT OF SHOP

.. Shortly after the early 1950's it enjoyed immense popularity for a few decades after our local fly tier, Don Martinez, started to tie them commercially.
.. It originally had no tail. Right now it can be found in all colors and most sizes and both with and without the tail. In the middle 1960's it was the most popular fly to come from Japan on carded assortments sold in gas stations and other emporia across the nation.

ISABELLA TIGER MOTH

.. There is little speculation about what it imitates: the Woolly Worm, (woolly bear in the Northeast and Midwest United States.)
.. This caterpillar is the larva of a family of moths. It is often of two colors and sometimes in three segments. It is reputed to have the power of predicting the severity of the coming winter.

PYRRHARCTIA ISABELLA

.. Most caterpillars that are called woolly worms are from the Isabella Tiger Moth, (Pyrrharctia isabella.)
.. These critters hatch in the fall and have a cocoon built before early winter. They have their own anti freeze and can withstand sub zero temperatures, (this mostly rules us out, though there are a few.)
..  However, in the Arctic the summer period for vegetative growth – and hence feeding – is so short that the Woolly Bear must feed for several summers, freezing again each winter before finally pupating. Some are known to live through as many as 14 winters

WORM RACE WINNERS

.. In the Southeast where they are most prolific there is a giant Woolly Worm Festival. In Banner Elk, North Carolina There is a $1,000 prize offered. It's coming up right after the summer - in October. Put it on your calendar. You can read about it HERE.
.. Many of the contemporary "sophisticates" among the fly fishing brotherhood eschew this fly because "it doesn't imitate anything." Sad but true - it does.
.. It's an exceptionally effective catching fly starting in mid summer on the Madison River, Gallatin River, and a few places on the Notellum River. The neighbors are tying a gross or two right now.
.. Lots of folks fish it as a drowned fly. That's fine. It can be weighted if you like. It is particularly useful as a surface fly for searching. Grease it up and watch your buddies do it in their drawers!
..Well it's still warm enough to fish some. Heading to Notellum Creek: after Lunch - for sure.

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WALLPAPER:  FOUNTAIN FLAT