Early Bow Dries

[bjbailey]

Hey Everyone,

Just wondering if anyone wanted to share their favorite patterns for early season Bow dry flies. I've tied up a few late winter black stones but was wondering what else I should prepare. The late winter black stone pattern is simple: black floss body, poly wing, and short black saddle hackle tied in the front on a #14. Any other suggestions?

[SilverDoctor]

Thorax Blue Wing Olive. in 14, 18 and 20

[flytyer101]

Gotta tie them small, I know midge patterns or grifin nat will do you good size 18-20

[trailhead]

Believe it or not but I have always had success early in the spring on the Bow with a size 12 Adams.

[daxlarsen]

size 14 adams worked a couple times so far when nothing else would. There are so many midges out, that a 12,14 griffiths gnat isn't even looking rediculous in all the clusters, in fact, today it (14) did the trick for one 22" brown.

[Conor]

Lornce- I see two styles of thorax bwo out there in the internets. One is a standard hackle trimmed flush, the other looks like it has a snow shoe hare post with a bunch of cdc loose wrapped for hackle. Which one are you using?

 

I tend to like a standard para pattern in #16-18 for olives and either a Griffith's or hackle stacker midge in #18-22 (one usually works when the other doesn't, for some reason). Never had much luck fishing bigger than they are eating, but I am starting to suspect most people find fish rising in faster water than I usually look. Gotta check out some new water, I think.

[bjbailey]

Hey Guys,

 

Thanks. I've been doing well on both #18 and #20 BWOs and Griffith's Gnats. I have also hooked up on #14 parachute adams that I use to help keep track of the smaller dries.

 

Tight lines!

 

Brandon

[SilverDoctor]

Sorry Conner,

I didn't notice your post. I use the standard hackle trimmed flush for most BWO patterns, I like the profile it makes in the water. I also use snow shoe for matching other hatches along with parachutes for other pattern imitations.

 

Lornce- I see two styles of thorax bwo out there in the internets. One is a standard hackle trimmed flush, the other looks like it has a snow shoe hare post with a bunch of cdc loose wrapped for hackle. Which one are you using?

 

I tend to like a standard para pattern in #16-18 for olives and either a Griffith's or hackle stacker midge in #18-22 (one usually works when the other doesn't, for some reason). Never had much luck fishing bigger than they are eating, but I am starting to suspect most people find fish rising in faster water than I usually look. Gotta check out some new water, I think.

[alan2]

I tie a #18 Griffiths gnat tied with a post of orange wool in the hackle so it's easier to find on the water.