Blue nymphs

Anybody played around with the color blue in their trout (not Steelhead) nymphs? Supposedly a popular color with Colorado fly fishers, esp. in the Winter. What say you TPO members? I have tied but not tried some blue patterns, and I'm curious.

I have only seen and heard about Charlie Meck's "Patriot" dry fly and certain versions of blue midge patterns, but not tried them. Based on our color observations, I would bet that a thread midge made up of white over blue thread would be effective in certain light conditions.

What about the #4 baetis (Iron Blue) is the SLF cube? Anyone ever use it? I think I heard/read somewhere that the color matches a UK hatch.

This is a good question, Torrey. I've heard the same thing, that sometimes blue flies really kill. I have yet to find that to be the case in my experience. Having said that, I admit to not fishing them enough to make a definite judgement one way or the other.

I know as far as steelhead are concerned, blue globugs and SS are popular. As far as nymphs? The one that first comes to mind is a hot wire prince. No reason why you can't try a copper john in blue either.

Tie me up a bunch and I will let you know if they work ;D

Is 2 dozen enough to start Brookie?

I found a blue pattern in one of my books that is supposed to work well in rivers with good Caddis populations, so I'll have to try it out in the Housy & Farmington, I'll tie u up a few big boy. I'll laugh if that ends up being a killer pattern.

Now that I think about it, there is an older Hare's Ear type nymph tied with a blue wingcase (made from a dyed feather), tied by artist/author John Atherton, and aptly named the "Atherton Medium Nymph". He also had a dark & a light pattern, and if I remember right, they did not have blue wing cases on them.

I know a lot of Steelheaders who swear by a black stonefly pattern with a blue wingcase, usually made from Sparkle Braid. Of course, Steelhead seem to have a special affinity for funky colors, not always the case with regular stream trout, esp. browns.

In one of AK Best dvd's, he talks about tying Green Drakes with blue dyed wings for one of his customers.

Just my 2 cents: I experimented with this color a few yrs back (Nymphs). I have caught wild trout with blue wire (CJohn) and other nymph patterns, but not enough to carry or continue tying it.

I am thinking just trying a few Blue hot spots might not be a bad idea.

Blue egg patterns work great. Ala Meck again the blueberry.

I have used the Blue glo bugs right along with the more natural Salmon egg Colored ones and 90% of the time the Natural Colors worked much better. This is just my personal test on stocker rainbows.