Convict Special

[StevenOjai]

This fly is a paradox to me. I found it up in Mammoth Lakes at a local flyshop. It's identified as a "Convict Special". It appears to me that it is a wet fly but the mallard quill leadwings are split upright. It's also heavily hackled yet without any tailing. It has a yellow hackle fiber downwing that is splayed. Note the Green Butt. My best guess is that this is a mosquito caddis pmd dry for for steelhead-wannabee eastside trout.....or it could be just an attractor wet/dry. Anyone know some history of this fly?

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

Very different Steve.

If it had a tail it would be a dry fly.

It might have a nitch out there somewhere?

What size is it?

[Digger]

Steve- did you get this from Troutfitters/TroutFly or Rick's or ???

[StevenOjai]

I think I got it at The Troutfitter's, but I may have got it at Culver's in Bishop. It is a size 14, which makes it too large for a pmd. There is another yellow mosquito fly pattern known as "Twin Lakes Special" that is of the same size and is used within the creeks of that area. I guess the name "Convict Special" caught my eye, since Convict Creek has had some awesome fishing for me this season.