At the Sportsman's Expo I attended Denny Rickards tied and demonstrated his still water flies. The demonstration took place using a large, 50 ft acquarium filled with big, well worn rainbow trout. It was quite interesting to see the fly move and the fish's reaction to it. Denny had to keep the fly high in the water to keep the fish from messing up his presentations, if he got down closer to where the fish were, they kept gulping down his fly! The hook had been cut off, of course, but it was interesting to see both how the fly moved and how the fish reacted to it.
The fly used for the demonstration was Denny's "Seal Bugger" Here is the recipe: Hook: Size 6-10 4x Long Thread: Black Weight 20 wraps of .020 wire at the head. Tail: "Somewhat sparse" black marabou, as long as the body, with two strands of crystal flash. Hackle: Pruple dyed grizzly saddle hackle palmered over the body four times. Body: Black Seal substitute fur mixed with a pinch of red or suitable substitute, picked out after ribbing. Rib: Copper wire Head: Black thread This fly has an interesting movement in the water. The body of course is stiff, but as the fly desends after the strip, with the marabou waving as it falls, it really looks like some crippled, moving fish. I suspect most wooly buggers have a similar movement. I think the lead is crucial to getting this action.
