Hey -- this is the time of year that I switch over to working wet flies at a lazy pace along the tailwaters in the region. Even on the coldest days I've generally been able to get *some action on wets around here.
Part of the reason I decided to learn how to fly fish was my fascination with wet flies, particularly soft hackles. I had not seen a spinning lure that looked quite so alive as a simple soft hackle, and I wanted to learn what they were, what they imitate, what they might catch, etc. They're just great flies.
I mostly tie them in size #14 and probably have close to a 1,000 sitting in boxes in various places. In riffles, #12 and 10s also work well...and I have some tied to #16-20s though I rarely use them. Herl, wire, beads, partridge, pheasant, hare's ear, that Pearsall's Grizzy generously brought me, etc. I like them all. They can be fished virtually any way from what I understand, though I mostly fish them on the swing, in a duo rig, and twitched with the rod tip (not the line hand) for warmwater species.
I also felt guilt over disparaging bucktail -- so I tied a few with squirrel tail for kicks to center my chi. The rabbit strip streamer is my go-to streamer though. I got some crappy hide and began cutting it into strips and it works fairly well.
Anyway -- I just had the camera on me earlier and felt like taking a few pics. I hope everyone has as great Thanksgiving!
Dingle!
Gene