100% agree that the gorge is an NJ treasure. I’ve spent a lot of time in there and doesn’t seem like enough. Thanks for sharing this nice pattern with us.
I thought this was a secret weapon. I tie the same fly with shrimp dubbing, it's a little more orange than the pink you have used. I use the same pheasant tail but have learned a few tricks from you. All the best and I think thanks for sharing. I am not going to admit this was a secret weapon. I only tied them for on person and they were the bomb. Sean
+Sean Mooney Ah, see there, I said in the video it was Bill's secret weapon, not a "new secret weapon", important distinction. The most important aspect of this fly is to keep it really small, maybe even test your limits of small tying. I tied a few on the same hook but in a #22. The finished fly looks to be a legit 24 or 26 (cut down on the number of pheasant tail fibers). Can't wait to give them a try.
I can tie a pheasant tail on a 32! I did it on a bet and tied 5 or six flies on them. Don't wat to do it again. You can't put much on them. Honestly don't see what they could catch except maybe a very small trout. All the best, Sean
+Glenn Hagan Now Glenn, we can't let his head too big, although he is a great guy. It's nice to shoot video of someone who can basically catch fish on command.
Hermosa y efectiva ninfa, la uso siempre ,no puede faltar en la caja de todo pescador.Muy linda variante y muy prolija. Felicitaciones desde Patagonia.
Great video thanks Tim.I have two questions. 1. Would this pattern be tied the same using #14's & 16's or how would you change it? 2. Youve used the dyna king vises in your past videos,now regal?What happened?
+Ryan Bradfield It can be tied in 14s and 16s but I generally prefer more traditional pheasant tail patterns in the larger sizes. The key for this particular PT is its diminutive size, super small just seems to work. I still have and use my Dyna-King Ultimate Indexer and especially for larger flies. Last January, I got to try both the Regal Revolution and their new Travel Vise at the Sparse Grey Matter tying event here in NJ and simply couldn't resist. Quick, smooth, lots of holding power and what the heck, I don't fish with just one fly rod either.
Where in the gorge was bill fishing the beginning of the video? Also, have you ever fished the river after the dam on lake solitude right near the gorge, I have always wondered if it is a good spot? I have also heard it be referenced to as "high bridge."
I have a question regarding the Rainbow Trout Spawning in the Fall... I always thought Rainbow Trout spawn late winter early spring and Brown Trout spawn Fall of the year. Is it different on the Raritan River?
+Ken Martin There are already a couple of comments about this down below (you have to click "view all 3 replies"). They most likely spawn here in the fall because they are hatchery fish and raised to do it that way. Hatcheries are able to manipulate when trout spawn in order get the most number of appropriately sized fish for late winter, early spring stockings.
+Graham Jackson I have heard this as well, and yet every year around the middle of October, the spawning redds will start to appear and the rainbows will we on them. This is definitely not my area of expertise, perhaps another viewer could shed some light on the subject.
+tightlinevideo Thanks for the info! If they are on redds that seems like a clear indication that they are spawning, its just so interesting that they don't follow the pattern that most books say rainbows follow. Goes to show you even the most natural of things for fish to do are sometimes unpredictable, and yet another reason why this sport catches so many people's interest. Love your videos, I have learned so much from them and use them often in tying. Keep doing what you do!
+Graham Jackson Wild rainbows in their native range spawn in the spring. However, some hatchery stock rainbows have been bred to spawn in the fall so that they are optimal size at the preferred stocking time. For the full history of rainbow trout stocking check out "An Entirely Synthetic Fish" by Anders Halverson. It's a great, informative read.
+stinkiestbink I currently have two different vises, well, three if you count Guinness ; ) I use the Regal Revolution for nearly everything but switch over to a Regal Travel vise with midge jaws for the small stuff. It's more of a luxury than a necessity but one I'd have a hard time giving up.
100% agree that the gorge is an NJ treasure. I’ve spent a lot of time in there and doesn’t seem like enough. Thanks for sharing this nice pattern with us.
Your opening image of the fisherman entering the stream should be a framed photo or poster. Well done.
I thought this was a secret weapon. I tie the same fly with shrimp dubbing, it's a little more orange than the pink you have used. I use the same pheasant tail but have learned a few tricks from you. All the best and I think thanks for sharing. I am not going to admit this was a secret weapon. I only tied them for on person and they were the bomb. Sean
+Sean Mooney Ah, see there, I said in the video it was Bill's secret weapon, not a "new secret weapon", important distinction. The most important aspect of this fly is to keep it really small, maybe even test your limits of small tying. I tied a few on the same hook but in a #22. The finished fly looks to be a legit 24 or 26 (cut down on the number of pheasant tail fibers). Can't wait to give them a try.
I can tie a pheasant tail on a 32! I did it on a bet and tied 5 or six flies on them. Don't wat to do it again. You can't put much on them. Honestly don't see what they could catch except maybe a very small trout. All the best, Sean
Appears to be a great pattern, and have been digging your videos for a long time. Thank you
Bill is a great guy & awesome fly tier. I know this pattern will work as advertised!
+Glenn Hagan Now Glenn, we can't let his head too big, although he is a great guy. It's nice to shoot video of someone who can basically catch fish on command.
+tightlinevideo lol, Tim
It is so crowded! Imagine being on the river with that many new yorkers and jerseyans.
Hermosa y efectiva ninfa, la uso siempre ,no puede faltar en la caja de todo pescador.Muy linda variante y muy prolija. Felicitaciones desde Patagonia.
caught a few rainbows here in PA yesterday with a normal micro pheasant tail.
I never heard of Rainbows that spawn in the fall..
Great video thanks Tim.I have two questions.
1. Would this pattern be tied the same using #14's & 16's or how would you change it?
2. Youve used the dyna king vises in your past videos,now regal?What happened?
+Ryan Bradfield It can be tied in 14s and 16s but I generally prefer more traditional pheasant tail patterns in the larger sizes. The key for this particular PT is its diminutive size, super small just seems to work. I still have and use my Dyna-King Ultimate Indexer and especially for larger flies. Last January, I got to try both the Regal Revolution and their new Travel Vise at the Sparse Grey Matter tying event here in NJ and simply couldn't resist. Quick, smooth, lots of holding power and what the heck, I don't fish with just one fly rod either.
You say "if you're lucky, you might even see an occupied red." Heh?
Sir Megallot fish slang for spawning rainbow
ahhh, haven't heard that term, thanks
It's easier if you see it spelled :) "Redd"
Where in the gorge was bill fishing the beginning of the video? Also, have you ever fished the river after the dam on lake solitude right near the gorge, I have always wondered if it is a good spot? I have also heard it be referenced to as "high bridge."
is this hot spot only good for when rainbows a spawning,or are they good all year round, thx for a video
+Nahla Arsenault Always good, everywhere.
I have a question regarding the Rainbow Trout Spawning in the Fall... I always thought Rainbow Trout spawn late winter early spring and Brown Trout spawn Fall of the year. Is it different on the Raritan River?
+Ken Martin There are already a couple of comments about this down below (you have to click "view all 3 replies"). They most likely spawn here in the fall because they are hatchery fish and raised to do it that way. Hatcheries are able to manipulate when trout spawn in order get the most number of appropriately sized fish for late winter, early spring stockings.
Appreciate your response. I will need to read into this a bit further now to get a better understanding.. Thanks
Do you have any videos of flies you tied with size 32 hooks
Rainbows spawn in the fall in NJ? I was always under the impression they only spawn in the spring and early summer.
+Graham Jackson I have heard this as well, and yet every year around the middle of October, the spawning redds will start to appear and the rainbows will we on them. This is definitely not my area of expertise, perhaps another viewer could shed some light on the subject.
+tightlinevideo Thanks for the info! If they are on redds that seems like a clear indication that they are spawning, its just so interesting that they don't follow the pattern that most books say rainbows follow. Goes to show you even the most natural of things for fish to do are sometimes unpredictable, and yet another reason why this sport catches so many people's interest. Love your videos, I have learned so much from them and use them often in tying. Keep doing what you do!
+Graham Jackson Wild rainbows in their native range spawn in the spring. However, some hatchery stock rainbows have been bred to spawn in the fall so that they are optimal size at the preferred stocking time. For the full history of rainbow trout stocking check out "An Entirely Synthetic Fish" by Anders Halverson. It's a great, informative read.
Don’t rainbows spawn in the spring and feed off the brown eggs that’s why they come into the creeks
I notice that you use different vises for different flies. Is there a reason?
+stinkiestbink I currently have two different vises, well, three if you count Guinness ; ) I use the Regal Revolution for nearly everything but switch over to a Regal Travel vise with midge jaws for the small stuff. It's more of a luxury than a necessity but one I'd have a hard time giving up.