NORTHERN MICHIGAN FLY FISHING GUIDE SERVICE
  • Reel Waters
  • Guided Fly Fishing
  • The Perfect Gift
  • River Conditions
  • Video / Photo
    • Casting Tips
    • Fly Fishing Tips
    • Photos
  • Contact Us
    • Privacy/Policies
  • News
    • Media Kit

Europeans Invade 

7/31/2013

0 Comments

 
Picture
Mister Tussock is in town. Just when you think you've seen it all, along comes the larva of the Rusty Tussock Moth. Fly fishing this week I saw my first one. I've seen Wooly and Monarch Caterpillars but the Tussock takes the cake. This invasive species from Europe has burst on the river scene just recently. If it works it's way into the trout diet, what are we going to do?
How in the world are Fly Tiers going to match this gaudy caterpillar? The Tussock has every color and more curves than Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition. What would you call this fly? The "Quadra-Para/ Horned/ Furry Antennae/ Orange Headed/ Fuzzy Buck Tailed/ Yellow Stripped/ Wooly Bugger?  Whew, that's a mouthful and for the trout as well. With fly names like "Peanut Envy", "Dirty Hippie", or "Muddy Buddy", how about calling this new fly "Para-Rube Goldberg"!
OK, now try to tie one. Those who tie the fly would be strapped to their tying vise for a week and the fly would cost about $300? Wow that's a lot of money to catch a fish. Wouldn't it be smarter to go to the Moose Jaw Restaurant for the "All U Can Eat Friday Night Fish Fry" for all 12 weeks of summer and for less money? I might not be the sharpest barb in the fly box, but I did the math.
The larva of the Rusty Tussock Miller is a real looser, but they sure are pretty...Really?

0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Richard Keiswetter

    Sweet Is The Lore That Nature Brings
              William Wordsworth

    Archives

    September 2015
    April 2015
    October 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    April 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

    Picture
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Reel Waters
  • Guided Fly Fishing
  • The Perfect Gift
  • River Conditions
  • Video / Photo
    • Casting Tips
    • Fly Fishing Tips
    • Photos
  • Contact Us
    • Privacy/Policies
  • News
    • Media Kit