Posts: 2,504
Threads: 0
Joined: Jan 2004
Reputation:
1
Having just welcomed a new fishing buddy (baby) to the family this month, my fishing opportunities have been few and far between lately. I did have a few hours today though, (and being inspired by the recent high country reports here) I decided to hit the local alpine pond. Not a bad choice. The weather was unsettled, but the wildlife was out and the fish were cooperative. Nothing spectacular in size this time, but willing fish and nature is hard to beat. Did I say that I love fall trout fishing in the high country?
Here are a few pics.
[signature]
Posts: 383
Threads: 0
Joined: Jul 2008
Reputation:
0
Looks like fun!
What is that prop-bugger you're using? Looks like a killer lure to me...
_SHig
[signature]
Posts: 2,504
Threads: 0
Joined: Jan 2004
Reputation:
1
Those are called "Pistol Pete" leeches or buggers. They seem to be especially effective at this particular lake, but they are one of my faves generally on small or medium lakes. They can be used either by kick trolling, "fly and bubble" or stripping them with traditional flyfishing gear.
Most quality sporting goods or fly outlets around here carry either the "Pistol Petes" or variants. They also are tied in patterns other than buggers/leeches, but the other styles haven't worked for me as well as the buggers do (which are lethal).
[signature]
Posts: 36,034
Threads: 297
Joined: Sep 2002
Reputation:
57
[quote SHigSpeed]Looks like fun!
What is that prop-bugger you're using? Looks like a killer lure to me...
_SHig[/quote]
[cool]I have been tying and using "Petes" for several years. First heard about them while still living in Arizona and looked up their main website to get the particulars. Have made them up in quite a few different patterns and they really work well to trigger "reaction bites"...especially when fish are in an neutral or negative mode.
I am attaching a PDF file of a writeup I put together, including some info that I copied but is no longer on the old web page for Pistol Petes.
[signature]
Posts: 383
Threads: 0
Joined: Jul 2008
Reputation:
0
Hm, cool! I've never seen those at my local shops. I'll have to look harder.
Don't they twist your line, especially light tippet?
_SHig
[signature]
Posts: 36,034
Threads: 297
Joined: Sep 2002
Reputation:
57
[cool][#0000ff]I have never noticed that problem, nor have I heard of it being a problem with other Pete fans. But, if you DO encounter it, you can always tie in a small inline crane swivel somewhere in the leader...or at the junction of the line and leader.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]The small propeller blades spin freely and the bulk of the rest of the fly seems to keep they whole fly fairly stable as you draw it through the water.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Wanna add a couple of those to your "care package"? I can even do up a couple of "Jack-O-Buggers". But, basic black or white crystal might be better all around colors for most waters and most species.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]PM me if you have a favorite pattern you would like to try as a Pete.[/#0000ff]
[signature]
Posts: 383
Threads: 0
Joined: Jul 2008
Reputation:
0
That'd be great!  Whatever colors you think would be useful...
Can't wait.
_SHig
[signature]
Posts: 36,034
Threads: 297
Joined: Sep 2002
Reputation:
57
[cool] [#0000ff]One word of warning. When you cast a Pete on a flyline it sounds like a swarm of  bees when it zings past your head...with that little propeller buzzing like crazy.[/#0000ff]
[signature]
Posts: 19,235
Threads: 2
Joined: Nov 2005
Reputation:
1
Very nice pictures, specially the color on the Brookie...LOVE IT!
As far as the Pistol Pete (or Hummer I have heard them called) glad to see they are working.
I have TRIED them for years. Specially on Lakes that claim they are the ticket......NOTHING, TAUGHTA, ZILCH. And not just me, but every one else.
Never noticed any sound while casting them either. Cast like any other bugger.
Maybe I am not patient enough. There is a little lake in Idaho that I was told to use one, so myself and the others tried it to no avail.
I ended up putting a softhackle on and caught till my arm hurt, but I do think it could work on the high mountain lakes, have to give it a try on the Uinta fish.
TD, you put the bead after the blade?
They are a cool looking fly.
[signature]
Posts: 2,504
Threads: 0
Joined: Jan 2004
Reputation:
1
Isn't it amazing how we all have our own favorites that we are comfortable with and catch fish regardless of what the "locals" say always work at a given lake? I do not have particularly good flyfishing skillz but I usually get those things to work really well.
One thing I might add as a strategy point when using petes is to impart a lot of movement to the fly. I love to let them out and kick troll them around in the tube. The herky jerky motion of kicking makes those things come alive. It is a good fly to put on if one is kicking around a new lake, trying to find fish on sonar. They also work great in off color water. (prob. due to the blade vibrations) The lake I was at yesterday is usually off color in the fall due to algae. I have also had some success sight casting them. I don't have as much success with them however, if they aren't retrieved/stripped somewhat vigorously. (others probably have other results)
[signature]
Posts: 36,034
Threads: 297
Joined: Sep 2002
Reputation:
57
"TD, you put the bead after the blade? "
[cool] [#0000ff]The bead serves as a "bearing" for the spinner to spin on. So, the spinner is just behind the hook eye and the bead is behind the spinner.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]If you made some with the bead in front, it is little wonder they did not work well. The spinner would not be able to spin freely.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Here is a picture from Cabelas trout assortment.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
![[Image: i113170sn01.jpg]](http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/content/Item/11/31/70/i113170sn01.jpg)
[signature]
Posts: 19,235
Threads: 2
Joined: Nov 2005
Reputation:
1
That is what I said, behind the blade. Don't make much sense putting it in front. But as a tier, everything is BEHIND the eye. The blades spin great. Even had a fellow tier from another forum send me a bunch that he makes and sells.
But I also hear everyone brag about San Juan Worms, which I didn't get till last year...(wonderful run off fly [  ])
At Utah Lake, Tube Dude gave me a bunch of his flies (Thank you again) but nothing there also.
It helps to have confidence in a fly...really
[signature]
Posts: 36,034
Threads: 297
Joined: Sep 2002
Reputation:
57
"It helps to have confidence in a fly...really"
[cool][#0000ff]There is a LOT to fishing with confidence...on a favorite water, for a favorite species, using a favorite rod/reel...and using a favorite fly or lure. [/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]That's why you won't find me fishing a chironomid on a 20 foot leader when I am fishing for catfish...or wipers...or whatever.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]But, ain't it great where we have so many choices and we can usually find something that suits us...even if nobody else can understand why?[/#0000ff]
[signature]
Posts: 19,235
Threads: 2
Joined: Nov 2005
Reputation:
1
Proof is in the pudding![laugh]
If you fish for cat that are hanging at a 20' mark and IF you had a chironomid that interested then, it could be fun. Wether the 20' leader is straight down or right out in front of you makes no difference, it still does the same job.
Like Phil Rowley fishes Chironomids with probably a 4' leader and a fast sinking line, straight down from tip of rod. Mine are on a 20' piece of whatever weight mono/fluoro, attached to a floating line with about 30' of line out in front of me floating. Indicator of course. That way I can drift over the honey hole without them knowing I am even there.
[signature]
|
