One reason I tie my own . . .

[John3]

. . . hand-tied (left) vs. store bought (right) . . .

 

[notaspeyguy]

Good enough reason right there...you get to pick materials and methods that you can have confidence in...looks like an SRC or steelie getter for sure!

 

[troutdude]

Good enough reason right there...you get to pick materials and methods that you can have confidence in...looks like an SRC or steelie getter for sure!

Looks like a Borden Special…a legendary fly made specifically for SRC’s/Bluebacks.

 

[notaspeyguy]

It is indeed...my home water (the Alsea) is where it and the similar Alsea Special were developed...I have a box full of different sizes and variations...very important SRC pattern...We also tie them in size 4 and 2 for late summer and early winter steel on the Siletz...Sorry @John3, didn't mean to hijack you there...Nice tying of a wonderful pattern!!

 

[John3]

Thanks for the compliments . . . I’m just getting into it after a thirteen year layoff.

 

[John3]

It is indeed...my home water (the Alsea) is where it and the similar Alsea Special were developed...I have a box full of different sizes and variations...very important SRC pattern...We also tie them in size 4 and 2 for late summer and early winter steel on the Siletz...Sorry @John3, didn't mean to hijack you there...Nice tying of a wonderful pattern!!

 

[notaspeyguy]

Mutt's nuts right there...size 6? The JC is a nice touch, an eye of some kind helps when swingin' 'em

 

[John3]

Mutt's nuts right there...size 6? The JC is a nice touch, an eye of some kind helps when swingin' 'em

My own pattern . . . I named it ”Borden’s Super“ . . . the hook is a #5 Spey hook.

 

[troutdude]

It is indeed...my home water (the Alsea) is where it and the similar Alsea Special were developed...I have a box full of different sizes and variations...very important SRC pattern...We also tie them in size 4 and 2 for late summer and early winter steel on the Siletz...Sorry @John3, didn't mean to hijack you there...Nice tying of a wonderful pattern!!

Cool beans. Great looking variant of Bob Borden's legendary pattern.

His son Ryan used to be on this forum. But haven't heard much from him for a while.

 

[portlandrain]

@John3 @notaspeyguy
How do you all fish this? Do you swing it? Sink tip at all? Or is it stripped in?

 

[John3]

@John3 @notaspeyguy
How do you all fish this? Do you swing it? Sink tip at all? Or is it stripped in?

As a rule :

Fast water = swing

Slow water = stripped

. . . but rules are made to be broken . . .

I seldom fish a sinking line or leader.

 

[hobster]

That is an absolutely beautiful looking fly. Well done!

 

[hobster]

I have never fly fished for bluebacks. We catch quite a few while trolling for Coho in the coastal lakes. I have always wanted to fly fish for them, maybe it’s time

 

[notaspeyguy]

As a rule :

Fast water = swing

Slow water = stripped

. . . but rules are made to be broken . . .

I seldom fish a sinking line or leader.

This is on target...I will fish a bigger, sz 1 or 1/0 version for winter steel swung on a sink tip or sz 6 swung dry line style for summers and stripped in froggy sections for SRC...remember, we wrote the rules and the fish rarely follow them

 

[portlandrain]

As a rule :

Fast water = swing

Slow water = stripped

. . . but rules are made to be broken . . .

I seldom fish a sinking line or leader.

Thanks! Also, if you don't mind, are you fishing this in tidewater, or up higher into a system?

 

[notaspeyguy]

Thanks! Also, if you don't mind, are you fishing this in tidewater, or up higher into a system?

I don't mean to step in front of @John3 here...We fish this pattern in every part of the system...in summer, we rarely tie on any other fly except a more natural baitfish pattern to specifically target SRC...We've had success 30-40 river miles up...I think that all depends on your river, but if you have SRC and steel they'll eat it

 

[portlandrain]

I don't mean to step in front of @John3 here...We fish this pattern in every part of the system...in summer, we rarely tie on any other fly except a more natural baitfish pattern to specifically target SRC...We've had success 30-40 river miles up...I think that all depends on your river, but if you have SRC and steel they'll eat it

Awesome, thanks! I need to find a good version locally. I don't tie myself and bought a couple online that did not hold up well.

 

[notaspeyguy]

Hi @portlandrain...sorry for the late response...you may have some difficulty finding this pattern in a shop as it is sort of a local pattern to the central coast...judging by your handle, you're in Portland? If so, you have way more access to fly shops than us down here in coastal boonies...call around and send some emails with pics...also ask them if they know of any custom tyers that can help...if I was in a better situation I'd do some up for ya, just not there at the moment...good luck!

 

[njb51]

Nice tie what size hook?