Code name: Cotton Candy

I've been working on a new fly that I've referred to as "cotton candy". I'm terrible at giving my flies names, but this thing really does remind me of that tasty treat that melts in your mouth. I'd like to think that the steelhead think it looks delicious too!

The fly has gone through a few iterations. The current fly, I'm calling the 2nd generation, has a trailer hook and a bead hidden within the translucent body. Unlike generation #1, it has a very long collar that sweeps over the whole body. Almost like an Intruder. The best part, it puffs when in slow to moderate water. The fibers pulse in and out as it bumps through the current. I'm almost tempted to take a bite myself.

I won't pretend that there is a magic bullet when it comes to steelhead flies. However, this fly does give me an unreal amount of confidence. The large fish I hooked on the American a few weeks back were on the first generation of the fly. And after my trip to the Russian yesterday, the second generation may even be more seductive.

I was getting so many bumps and plucks on almost every swing in one particular piece of water, I decided to perform a test. I tied on a variety of other steelhead flies. Some tied by me, and some I obtained from a steelhead swap. Perhaps it was coincidence, but none of the other flies got any attention. Not even a pluck. (I did give each a fair amount of time.) As soon as I put 2nd generation Cotton Candy back on, the grabs continued. Magic!

Granted, this test was conducted on juvenile steelhead (12-16" in length). I don't think I could of performed it on adults, since they are so few and far between. But, I'd like to think that they have the same mindset.

As I begin on the third generation of the fly, I'll let you know what the results are.

p.s. I'll be posting my Russian River Report in the next day or so. Just to give you something to look forward to. I caught more than 12 fish. A great day in murky water with under two feet of visibility!