Ted Fay & Flies....
Don't know where to start on this one. So, it's gonna be highly summarized. A couple of years ago, an article appeared in the California Fly Fisher magazine on this subject. I can't recall the issue tho.
Ted Fay was owner of a flyshop/Motel in the Dunsmuir area on the Upper Sacramento River. Using a two fly cast, he was renowned as a guide and for his "high stick, short line, nymphing" technique on several area rivers. He passed away many years ago and was succeeded by Joe Kimsey who now runs the fly shop and continues the production of the flies and fishing in that area.
As to the flies, the original few were developed by a Native American named Ted Towendolly who brought them to Ted Fay. Mr. Fay adopted them for his own tying/use and developped some additional patterns himself. All of the original patterns were tied on size 8 - 9 hooks similar to the Mustad model 7948. Later patterns have been tied on size 10, Mustad 7957 BX. Don't know what model hook Joe Kimsey uses now but they're still the same size. Joe has added several new patterns, as well.
With the exception of a couple of dry fly patterns, they're all heavily weighted with short, thick bodies, sparse tails and short, stiff hackle. All are characterized by simplicity in design. Some are winged with hackle tips; most are not. These patterns are suggestive of naturals in the area (not exact representations). The flies are particularly effective in water that is swift around deep areas surrounding rocks in a riverbed.... Altho I've never fished the Pit River, I've been told that a Black Bomber is very effective there. The key to success in using these flies is to understand at what point in the season an individual pattern is intended to be used.
I've used a couple of the flies/technique on the Upper Sacramento and McCloud rivers many times in the fall of the year and was very successful. Had more than few double hook-ups on the Caddis patterns.
I know some of the other BB members can add to this and hope they will.
"America is a country which produces citizens who will cross the ocean to fight for democracy but won't cross the street to vote."
Author unknown
Bookmarks