You may not have seen an uglier imitation of a natural bug in your life, and hopefully you never will. In fact, the worlds leading entomologist wouldve had a hard time determining what I was trying to duplicate with this fly. It was by far the sloppiest attempt at the traditional elk hair caddis pattern to date. Purely an exercise in beginning fly tying, and one of the first to come off of my assembly line known as a vice.
It was a combination of ego, sentimentality and hopeful romantic fantasy that allowed it into my fly box. Wouldnt it be something if it worked and I actually landed a fish with my first attempt at fly tying? A lost cause you would think while looking at it. But, it felt good just have it sit in my fly box next to those store-bought, $2 apiece, professionally tied flies.
I knew the trout of Oregons Fall River were smarter than to accept my fly. Theyve seen, and passed on, the most meticulous artificial creations (very professionally tied ones). No matter, in time there I am, fly fishing Oregons Fall River, and the only one on the water.