“Fly presentation trumps fly selection everytime”
– Phil Rowley
Get ready for our first Reno Fly Shop Podcast Classic. A couple of years ago I recorded and released an episode with Canadian stillwater expert Phil Rowley. I had the chance to chat with Phil about the history of balanced flies and his contribution to the evolution of one of the fly patterns that has turned a new page in fly fishing stillwaters. Additionally Phil shares how to fish Booby flies and when and why he thinks these are such a killer pattern.
You will hear Phil share how he most often sets up his leader rigs and then generously offer up the leader formula that he has fine tuned to fishing stillwaters under an indicator, without an indicator and the really creative formula “the Washing Line” setup. These leaders can be used for Chironomids, Balanced flies and Booby Flies (even in combination).
The Balanced Leech and Booby Fly weren’t developed at Pyramid Lake but since their introductions there a few years ago they have been two of the most popular and effective patterns for huge Lahonton Cutthroat Trout. These are consistently two of the most popular Pyramid Lake patterns every year at the Reno Fly Shop.
As we discuss in this podcast the Balanced Leech’s effectiveness is that it can be delivered and held right in the strike zone for cruising trout. Add in some (often present) wind chop and waves to create movement under an indicator and you are offering a fly that the fish simply can’t ignore. If you end up fishing a balanced fly in a multi fly rig we suggest that the balanced leech be at the terminal end of the leader. This will allow the fly to suspend in the intended horizontal position.
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The Booby Fly is a UK stillwater pattern that really has to be fished to be appreciated. Best described as an attractor pattern it certainly doesn’t look like any naturally occurring in nature. But honestly who cares when this fly works so well.
We have the widest selection of Booby Fly variations available anywhere at the Reno Fly Shop.
Check out all of the available Booby Flies in our online store.
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Phil goes on to discuss his approach and tactics when fishing these patterns and shares that they are not limited to stillwaters or leech patterns. He ties this style for rivers and streams as well as to represent various aquatic insects.
Balanced PT – Size 14 (photo courtesy of Phil Rowley)
Balanced Micro Leech – Size14 (photo courtesy of Phil Rowley)
Make a point of visiting or following Phil on-line at, www.flycraftangling.com or www.stillwaterflyfishingstore.com and through his social media channels, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.