<a href="http://www.jhonefly.org/flies.htm">One Fly</a>
Now this is interesting... I ran into this web site about the Jackson Hole One Fly Contest which has been held each year since 1986. This page shows all the winning flies, plus gives the background behind the Wyoming event.
I knew a little about the One Fly, but hadn't paid a lot of attention to it. I am currently very much interested in the Turck's Tarantula fly which is a very effective pattern on one of my favorite waters...and that fly was Googled on the page linked above.
Look at this list, and what conclusions you will draw!
* rubber legs were used on NINE of the 17 winning patterns
* foam patterns similar to the pioneering Chernobyl Ant have won the last four years straight
• five of the patterns feature a white overwing
* three of the patterns feature spun deer heads or bullet heads
• the double bunny won the event three years running until the rules were changed
• 12 of the 17 winners were dry flies, and all but two of these were large dries such as a Turck's Tarantula or a Lime Trude. Several flies are fishable both dry and wet.
It is worthwhile to note that all trout species were counted in the One Fly totals, and that includes cutthroats which do not have a reputation for selectivity! ("Dumb as rocks".) Also, the event is held in September.
Some qualifying rules:
A. Any conventional fly pattern (dry, wet, nymph, streamer, etc.) may be used as long as it is no larger than size #8 and is 3X or shorter in length. (This is the rule that ended the string of double bunny wins.)
B. No lead-headed jigs or molded head jigs, Clouser Minnows, or flies with dumbell lead eyes are allowed
C. Only a single fly is allowed on an angler's leader. No fly droppers or fly strike indicators are allowed.
Certainly has altered the way I look at designing flies...Comments?
Wes Wada
Bend, Oregon
Webmaster for:
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