JohnP

[JohnP]

Absolute killer! Great tying! Have you ever posted a pic and recipe for your olive soft hackle? I already have about three dozen of your muskrats in my box, but I want to add some olives before the season starts (which sadly is not until at least May).

[Izaak]

Dubbn,

Great looking fly! I love the black and dark brown combination .

[DUBBN]

Have you ever posted a pic and recipe for your olive soft hackle?

John, here is the basic recipe... Olive Muskrat (Rabbit)

Hook - Mustad 94840 (18-14) or Mustad 3906 (depends on application)
Thread- Camel UNI-8/0
Tail - Brown Hen Hackle
Body- Olive Rabbit Fur (Guard Hair Removed)
Collar - Brown Hen Hackle (2 to 3 Turns)



Unlike the Muskrat (original) I tinker with this one all the time. I use Dun Hackle, different ribbings (Gold, Chartreuse, or Hot Yellow Wire). Different hooks and sizes aswell. When I stray too far from the original, I start all over with the basic pattern above.

Like the Muskrat, this is a very unassuming pattern, Very plain, and infact, quite homely. That being said, I would have a hard time picking three other flymphs/SH's over it, the Muskrat, or the Orange Muskrat. They have been my work horses for over 30 years.

I will say this, the ribbed version does a better job on big Whitefish than the original, but in my mind the original does better on trout.



As always, these are only my opinions, and I have zero documentation to back any of it up.

[letumgo]

Wayne - I noticed that you wrote "Hook - Mustad 94840 (18-14) or Mustad 3906 (depends on application)". Could you explain what you mean by the "depends on application" comment? I'd love to hear your thoughts on the hook choice...

Excellent flies, by the way. I'm a big fan.

[JohnP]

Thanks Wayne. Those look great.

[DUBBN]

Wayne - I noticed that you wrote "Hook - Mustad 94840 (18-14) or Mustad 3906 (depends on application)". Could you explain what you mean by the "depends on application" comment? I'd love to hear your thoughts on the hook choice...

Excellent flies, by the way. I'm a big fan.

Ray, with enough fly floatant to the tippet, I can fish either hook in the film, and both hooks can dredge the bottom of the river. If I know that I am going to be dredging the bottom of the river I will use the 3906. It is a lot stouter hook and will hold up better to rocks and debris. The 94840 is a dry fly hook and while it can be dredged, I prefer not to when I dont have to. If I know that most of my fish will be taken above the bottom I prefer the lighter hook. I also prefer the lighter hooks when I am fishing Still Water. No logical reason for that, I just do.

In either case, both hooks can do double duty.

Thanks Ray, and John for the kind comments.

[DUBBN]

John, the other two in the triad

Orange Muskrat


Muskrat

[JohnP]

Those dogs will definitely hunt! Thanks!

[Kelly L.]

sweet!