Hellgrammite Patterns

[treehooker]

I'm supposing this isn't very popular with any of you, but does any one fish a hellgrammite pattern, and if so, what's the recipe?

[FK]

My favorite pattern is a #4 Wolly Bugger on a straight eye 4x long hook.

I use large olive chenille with an extra large webby black hackle. Weighted with .o3o+ lead wire on the forward 1/2 of hook shank.

One old timer I fished with for years used a #2 hook and all black chenille and black oversized webby hackle.

It is more how you fish the fly (presentation) than the exact color/construction of the pattern. Make them simple and fish deep and slow, you will loose 5-10 flies a day, and catch larger fish.

Regards,
FK

[treehooker]

Thanks for the reply FK
I figured the Bugger would qualify pretty well--simple is good, especially if you lose that many.

I'm thinking that old timer had it right.


When you say deep and slow, and you'll lose 5-10 flies, I take it that all the weight is in the fly itself (none on the leader) and you're going to hook up on the rocks alot. Is that the idea?

About presentation
Are you fishing that fly directly downstream, or dead drift, or directly up coming back to you, or what?
Do you want to keep a tight line on it or give it some slack, or put any movement on it at some times?
Or, just how do you find that it works best?

[SouthPaw]

Treehooker-

Here is a pattern that takes some practice, but it's a great looking fly and it works! :wink:

http://www.eflytyer.com/patterns/hellgrammite.html

Good Luch
SouthPaw

[FK]

When larger river fishing I prefer the upstream or 45 degrees upstream cast with dead drift and high sticking as the fly swims past your position.

I usually try either dead drift with very little stripping or just some small twitches to keep the fly off the bottom. Stepping down or upstream 5-6ft sometimes will make a great difference in the presentation,,, the fly must swim close to the fishes position, the larger fish usually will not chase a fly. I have tested this theory many times and belive the presentation is much more important than the exact fly pattern.

At times a cast very close to the bank with short strips will also wake up the SM and trout.

All the weight is in the fly, at times,,, if I do not drag the bottom,, a split shot attached at the hook eye will help get the fly deeper. I do no like sinktips for bugger presentations in rivers.

One additional tip is to use a strike indicator about 4ft down the leader and a second indicator at the leader/fly line connection. I like the hollow fly line type, easy to cast. The strike indicator will give you instant feedback,,,,when it stops or hesitates,,,,,set the hook. Half of the time you will be on the bottom and the other half = fish. The larger fish will hang in the deep pools, the little runts are chasing flies on the surface and are very easy to catch.

Regards,
FK

[treehooker]

Thanks for the link Southpaw. That's one of the few hellgrammite patterns to be found on the web. Nice to have your testimony about its effectiveness.
Many years ago I used to tie a weighted hellgrammite pattern with turkey biot tail and antennae, black ostrich herl palmered over black floss abdomen, black quill wingcase over red wool thorax with palmered hackle legs. Deadly on stillwater smallmouth, especially on Summer evenings with a fast retrieve.

And thanks for the presentation tips,FK. Sound advice. I found the fact that you sometimes use shot crimped directly to the hook eye interesting--I guess that acts the same way as these beadhead flies.

I just started using indicators for the first time this year, and the ones I've made so far--yarn and cork--are presenting some problems. The hollow line type sounds like it has distinct advantages.