Hook: Tiemco 5262 size 8-16
Tail: X-small or Small Brown Rubber Legs
Abdomen: SLF Whitlock Blend Red Fox Squirrel Thorax
Thorax: UV Black Ice Dub
Hackle: Hungarian Partridge
Collar: 4-5 strands Pearl Krystal Flash under the Partridge
Bead: Black Tungsten Bead sized to hook
Legs: Small or x-small brown rubber legs
Rib: Small pearl Tinsel
Thread: 6/0 Uni Thread
Howell’s Trip Saver
The name says it all. While tying soft hackles for upcoming guide trips one night, I got to playing around and started adding rubber legs and different flash to see how fish reacted to the fly. What I stumbled on was a fly that always seemed to produce a few fish. Having fished competitively for a number of years I realized the power of a fly that no one else had in their box. For years I carried this fly in the depths of my fly box and only used it when times got tough on the water with clients. I also would use it for later days of the fly fishing tournaments and ended up winning the tournaments because of the power of this little fly. After several years of having the fly all to myself, I was dupped by a cameraman into disclosing my secret little fly, once out of the box I knew I would have to find a new secret fly for the tournaments. Having heard the reputation and success of the fly Umpqua Feather Merchants picked up the fly and are producing it for fly shops around the world.
Find out more about Kevin Howell and Davidson River Outfitters on their website.
You’ve got a fertile mind Paul. Every time I try to seriously design a fly it turns out looking like an ashtray.
You mean Kevin.
I like the looks of this fly and think it may work on the Watauga. I hope all is well with you. Good fishing.