Flies Tied by Mike Hogue, Photos by Mike Hogue
During the summer of 1999, I started using Sage's new O weight rod to fish with. This rod has a line 50% smaller than the average 3 weight and yet has enough backbone to crank out a 40 foot cast without too much trouble. The lightness of the rod has increased my sense of touch and enabled me to double the amount of pleasure I get in catching and fishing for bluegills. I am sure that the Jerry Siem and the other rod gurus of Sage had no idea some fool would use their choicest rod for bluegill and bass fishing....... well I did and it RULES! ( Hint you can toss a size 10 popper too by using a 7 ' , 1X leader. )
One trouble is that flies which you have grown accustomed to using (ie bead heads, Clousers ect. ) have now become very difficult to cast due to the the lack of line mass. I tried several patterns out looking for some answers. While developing several concepts and patterns, I came across a new product......plastic beads. These beads are ideally suited for making lighter flies.
In the process of creating these patterns, I also happened across a book called" How Fish See Colors" . This book demonstrated why fish can see certain colors more effectively. I blended the best ideas from the book with the concepts I was working on. One unexpected benefit of the new patterns I developed occured........ the flies sink REALLY slowly. This action drives fish nuts as it suspends and then starts to sink, creating a unique action. The upshot is these are some really neat flies and have accounted for several 16-18" bass and 1 lb bluegills ( some of the best bluegills, I've ever caught! ). The flies are light enough to be cast easily with the smallest of tackle and can be seen in very turbid water.
Part 1: The Hot Heads: The simplest fly of the bunch is the Hot Head Hare's Ear. This fly is modified from a fly developed by Crystal River Flies of the UK. It is basically a hare's ear with a bead and antron wing. I added several more materials and refined the style a bit. All are very effective ( although I prefer fishing the last version the most ).
Hot Head Hare's Ear:
Hook: Mustad 3906B,
size 12
Thread: Black
Rib: Fine Copper Wire
Dubbing: Light Hareline Hare's Ear
Wing: Chartreuse Antron, Tied Trude Style
Bead: 3mm Firefly Chartreuse Bead
Hot Head Hare's Ear 2:
Hook: Mustad 3906B,
size 12
Thread: Flo Pink 6/0 (sub red if you like)
Tail: Small Bunch of Squirrel Fur
Rib: Fine Red Wire
Dubbing: Light Hareline Hare's Ear
Wing: Orange Antron Over Flo. Fire Orange Crystal Flash, Tied Trude Style
Bead: 3mm Flo Orange Badger Creek Bead
Hot Head Hare's Ear 3:
Hook: Mustad 3906B,
size 12
Thread: Flo Pink 6/0 (sub red if you like)
Tag: Flo Pink Thread 6/0
Tail: Chartreuse Antron
Rib: Fine Red Wire
Dubbing: Light Hareline Hare's Ear
Wing: Chartreuse Antron Over Chartreuse Crystal Flash, Tied Trude Style
Bead: 3mm Chartreuse Firefly Bead
Glow Hot Head Hare's Ear:
Hook: Mustad 3906B, size 12
Thread: Flo Pink 6/0 (sub red if you like)
Tail: White Antron
Rib: Small Holographic Gold Tinsel
Dubbing: Bronze Peacock Arizonia Sparkle Dub
Collar: Brown Hen Hackle
Bead: 3mm Glow in the Dark Badger Creek Bead
Part 2: The Hot Heads N' Tails: After fishing the Hot Heads for awhile, I experimented with blending a wooly bugger style and the Hot Heads together. The end result was the Hot Heads N' Tails. All 4 of these flies are similar. I changed colors and materials to creat different effects. The basic Hot Heads N' Tails is this:
Hook: Mustad 3906B, size 12
Thread: Flo Pink 6/0 (sub red if you like)
Tail: Flo Ultra Chenille, Standard Size with tip melted.
Body: Ultra Chenille, Standard Size or Micro Ice Chenille
Hackle: Saddle Hackle to Match Body.
Bead: 3mm Plastic Beads ( Badger Creek or Firefly )
Don't be afraid to experiment with these basic designs and colors. The important features are high contrasting heads, tails and collars against dark colors while using plastic beads. The plastic won't chip, crack or change colors and makes a very unique action that sinks slowly. These flies are unlike any other fly in terms of action!
For more Info Contact:
Mike Hogue / Badger Creek Fly Tying / 622 West Dryden Road, Freeville, NY 13068
Phone: 607-347-4946