Fly of the Month - July 2007
John Wilson's "Trout Crack"
Tied By: Oscar (AKA trout5)
This fly was innovated by famed Ozark guide John Wilson. He is renowned for fooling big fish with small flies. It can be tied with an antron dubbing body or an antron yarn wrapped body. It can also be tied with either tan uni thread, or .004 mono. The mono is much more difficult to use as it is far more slippery. The thread is effective and much quicker to tie with but the mono is the original recipe and, in my opinion, makes a more beautiful fly. For this fly I used mono.
Although this was made for southern trout, we have surmised
it works well for any river with good scud and sowbug populations.
We recently had a great day on the West Branch of the
Recipe:
Hook: TMC 2487BL or similar scud hook
Thread: Tan Uni thread or .004 mono
Body: Tan antron dubbing or antron yarn
Back: Dark brown V-rib or thin strip of bug skin
Rib: Tying mono or thread
1. Start the mono at the head and secure with many wraps. Hold on to the tag end tightly until secure as the mono is very slippery. Wrap one third back on the shank and tie in antron yarn.
2. Pull antron back and wrap over it with mono to the bend of the hook. Throw in a half hitch or mono will slide up the shank. Wrap in the V-rib and leave it hanging off the back.
3. Leave mono hanging from the bend and wrap the antron yarn forward to the head. Grab it with hackle pliers and leave it hanging at head.
4. Pull the V-rib over the back and wrap the mono as a rib over the V-rib all the way to the head. Throw in a half hitch.
5. Clip the V-rib and antron and wrap a small head with the mono. Whip finish, cement, and go get ‘em good!