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flyfishwithme
01-05-2010, 07:25 AM
Inspired by Ulf's 'Killer Mayfly', I thought I would share a pattern which I have been developing over the past two seasons.

'L'ombra' is Italian for shadow and that is what the intent of the fly is.

I have been observing very keenly the impact of drag on dry flies. By 'drag' I mean the micro currents that subtlety moves the fly thus signalling to the fish that something was up.
When you look at how we normally tie our flies, we are in effect providing a 'boat' like design. The body is tied along the shank. The body sits in the water, the body is subjected to water flow. So any currents will move the fly. In addition, the bend of the hook acts like a keel so keeping the body surface on the water small (such as a detached body) will still feel the impact of current.

The natural sits above the water and the impact of current is lessened.

With this in mind I set about researching fly patterns. The two that interested me were:

(a) The italian loom patterns (This one is tied by Terrenzio Zandra (yes the Italian who makes silk fly lines).
http://i565.photobucket.com/albums/ss94/flyfishwithme/IMG_1129.jpg

This fly was given to me by Terenzio. It still has features which will be impacted by micro currents BUT the hook is not part of the fly and hangs below the body. This means that currents can flow around the fly and hook will be impacted independently.

(b) Umbrella pattern. I found this while searching the internet. I would like to know who the tier is.
http://i565.photobucket.com/albums/ss94/flyfishwithme/UmbrellaFly-Shibata.jpg

This fly uses a special hook and the fly sits on the hackle. A bit similar to what Clarke and Goddard were trying to achieve with their USD pattern in the 80's. What I liked about this patter was the way that the hook hung. I believe that the impact of micro current s on the hook hanging straight down is smaller.

Further research and thinking proved to me that the fish look for triggers which is provided by the natural as an image. The image of feet placing small indentations on the surface and the image of a shadow above the feet.

This is what I have come up with. It is a very simple fly. It sits on the water very well. It shows footprints and shadow to the fish. The impact of micro currents is minimised and above all it catches fish.

http://i565.photobucket.com/albums/ss94/flyfishwithme/IMG_1149.jpg
CDC hackle tips make up the wing. The body is of CDC and the hackle is from a saddle variant. Some tricks to the body but simple fly.

I have named it as the L'ombra style. If anyone ties them I would appreciate the naming to remain.

Roy
01-05-2010, 09:26 AM
I get the fly to stand on the water like this
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e3/RoyChristie/EasyPeasyUsdBWO.jpg

There is no hook in the water and the fly can be drifted or skated on the surface.
If it gets blown by the wind, it behaves as does a natural, keeling to face the wind.

Should have a delicate wing or you will have hookset problems.

I have had trout on this one down to size#24
great fun

all the best,
Roy

rossa
01-05-2010, 09:32 AM
Very nice. What type of hook is that?

flyfishwithme
01-05-2010, 09:44 AM
Roy,
Thanks and I tie them the same. This pattern is just different I guess.
Rossa,
The hook is a Partridge BIN size 16. The longer shank in this helps with hook up.

mikeytwoshoes
01-05-2010, 10:32 AM
v. cool!

terry
01-06-2010, 08:17 PM
Interesting flies