FLY OF THE WEEK
I first noticed the Golden Retriever in the last Orvis Catalog that I received through the mail. This fly is a gem, a juiced up version of the Woolly Bugger. It is perfect for the off colored water that us Urban Fly Fishers so often find ourselves on. I have tied a couple of these with my own spin, and pulled out a copy of decent sized Largemouth Bass and Bluegill with it. This is definitely going to be a fly that frequents my fly box.
Themocracy
I have used a fly very similar to this given to me a friend and I can attest that it did well in warm water ponds up near Bishop. Good post!
http://www.mikebazzo.com
Lovely looking fly – I bet that could catch some of our crazy Scottish early season trout!
I am the originator of the Golden Retriever and have a contract with the Orvis Company that allows them exclusive rights to manufacture and sell the fly. I developed this pattern about 15 years ago and it really is a killer. I also tie and sell them in White and brown (root beer) variations. Unfortunately I have yet to fish Scotland but the fly has worked well for me on trout in Ireland and Iceland. It has become a favorite on the Arroyo Pescata in Argentina as well as rivers (that shall remain unnamed) in Chile.
If you tie it the thread to use is Danvilles flat waxed nylon, it builds up the underbody (over wraps of .020 lead substitute wire) well and is very strong enabling one to really torque down and tie a strong fly. Nothing works as well as Estaz for the chennille. Wrap only 4-5 turns leaving space for the red to bleed (show) through.
Jim Finn
Almost forgot…my website is http://www.mossycreek.com