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Must have flies for the first week of June
 Rank: Midge
Joined: 5/12/2019(UTC)
Posts: 1
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Hello,
I am coming to the Viroqua area from PA the first week of June. I am sure my central PA spring creek flies will do just fine BUT....I feel the need to ask.
Are there any MUST HAVE flies that I need to tie?
Nymphs....dries....terrestrials.....streamers?
Thank you,
Rich
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 Rank: Super Fly
Joined: 7/24/2011(UTC)
Posts: 3,510
Location: Sussex Wisconsin
Thanks: 188 times
Was thanked: 198 time(s) in 152 post(s)
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Generic BWO and Elk Hair Caddis (black or tan) are excellent dry fly patterns for the Driftless Area in the spring and early summer. Small bead heads like the Pink Squirrel, scuds and emerger patterns for below the surface are always a good idea to have in your fly box and work in all conditions. If the water has stain, weighted streamers like the Woolly Bugger in dark colors (black or olive) or any bigger fly that imitates leech, sculpin or crayfish will really bring out the bigger Trout. The Hippie Stomper is an excellent terrestrial pattern that works pretty much all season. Some dark colored cricket, beetle or ant patterns are also good to have if the weather is wet and cloudy. By mid-summer hoppers will appear and Trout will readily attack anything that lands on the water with a splat. Stop by the Driftless Angler Fly Shop in Viroqua to get some advice on what's working at the moment. Their website also has a link called "Local Waters" which lays out the seasonal hatches and what patterns are most effective. Good luck. -Bill edit: Cranefly patterns are working well right now. Edited by user Sunday, May 12, 2019 3:42:05 PM(UTC)
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“You'll never look back on your life and wish you had spent more time in the office." -- Brian Trautman, Captain SV Delos |
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 Rank: Midge
Joined: 5/28/2018(UTC) Posts: 35  Location: Chicago Thanks: 25 times
Was thanked: 9 time(s) in 7 post(s)
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I agree with everything Bill suggested. In my experience Driftless trout aren’t too picky and the general fly pattern you use anywhere will work around Viroqua.
One fly that I use around that time that may not be as popular in other parts of the country are crane flies. They fish well enough in most conditions and can be used in a variety ways. You can dead drift them on the surface, skate them, or even let the sink and fish them under some sort of hopper pattern
- Steve
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 Rank: Dragon Fly
Joined: 6/18/2012(UTC)
Posts: 646
Location: Genoa
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craneflies
sulphurs
pale evening duns
tan caddis
cream midges
cahills
a worm
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Rank: Midge
Joined: 9/11/2018(UTC)
Posts: 1
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 Rank: May Fly
Joined: 4/16/2014(UTC) Posts: 485  Location: Madison, Wisconsin during the week and Lincolnshire, Illinois on weekends. Thanks: 118 times
Was thanked: 46 time(s) in 40 post(s)
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Originally Posted by: William Schlafer  Small bead heads like the Pink Squirrel... Not TOO small - I seem to do best with #12's. But yeah, Bill's list is great, and will meet all your needs. |
Bob Williams, "Weiliwen"
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Rank: Super Fly
Joined: 7/24/2011(UTC)
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Originally Posted by: weiliwen
Not TOO small - I seem to do best with #12's.
Agreed! #12 Pink Squirrel seems to be the perfect size for the DA. That single fly has probably accounted for 50% of all the Trout I've ever caught. Lately I've taken to casting downstream with it and stripping it fast up though busy water. That technique has been particularly deadly this spring. You can never have too many. Shiny silver ones in bright sun, darker ones in stained water, classic red squirrel the rest of the time.  -Bill |
“You'll never look back on your life and wish you had spent more time in the office." -- Brian Trautman, Captain SV Delos |
 1 user thanked William Schlafer for this useful post.
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Rank: Dragon Fly
Joined: 6/18/2012(UTC)
Posts: 646
Location: Genoa
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Bill, if you ever lose that fly box and someone finds it they'll think the owner has a screw loose lol
And then they'll catch a bunch of fish
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Rank: Super Fly
Joined: 7/24/2011(UTC)
Posts: 3,510
Location: Sussex Wisconsin
Thanks: 188 times
Was thanked: 198 time(s) in 152 post(s)
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Originally Posted by: big_river_bum Bill, if you ever lose that fly box and someone finds it they'll think the owner has a screw loose lol
And then they'll catch a bunch of fish I went a bit nuts when I first started tying flies ("I'll save all kinds of money!!!") and bought a ton of hooks, dubbing and other materials. I've tied up hundreds of Pink Squirrels and I think I've got that pattern down pat. Along with that box, I have another nearly full, and my everyday small bead head box has at three rows filled. Also given away a bunch to veteran's groups, kids and friends.  Love those little plastic slim boxes. Inexpensive and takes up very little room in the pocket. Had the great honor to get tying tips from John Bethke (inventor of the Pink Squirrel) himself at one of the winter TrapFrest gatherings a few years ago. He even gave me a tube of his homemade tying wax. -Bill |
“You'll never look back on your life and wish you had spent more time in the office." -- Brian Trautman, Captain SV Delos |
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Rank: Dragon Fly
Joined: 6/18/2012(UTC)
Posts: 646
Location: Genoa
Thanks: 1 times
Was thanked: 29 time(s) in 24 post(s)
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that's awesome you've donated flies bill. perfect fly to introduce people to this sport in this area
i met john that night, but he took off soon after i got there. was that the night my dog and trap's pup ran around like crazy til like 3am? lol
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Must have flies for the first week of June
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