Dry-Dropper Swap?

Gary Knowels · Apr 7, 2025

Last summer I lost a double-sided fly box that I carry while small stream fishing and I need to do a bunch of tying to replace those 150+ flies.

I'd like to run a fly swap where each person ties a set of 2 flies: one dry fly and one dropper. The intent would be late spring through early fall on western freestone rivers. Any dry fly wet fly combo you want to tie, but make them a combo you would/could fish together. Not looking for a size 18 Adams and a size 6 Pats rubber from the same tier.

Participants are locked:
@Gary Knowels
@Zak
@SculpinSwinger
@mcswny
@rattlesnake
@Phil K
@Travis Bille
@Pigs
@flybill

Zak · Apr 7, 2025

Gary Knowels said:
Last summer I lost a double-sided fly box that I carry while small stream fishing and I need to do a bunch of tying to replace those 150+ flies.

I'd like to run a fly swap where each person ties a set of 2 flies: one dry fly and one dropper. The intent would be late spring through early fall on western freestone rivers. Any dry fly wet fly combo you want to tie, but make them a combo you would/could fish together. Not looking for a size 18 Adams and a size 6 Pats rubber from the same tier.

Hoping to get 5-9 people (plus me) signed up. Due date couple be mid-late May. Let me know if you're interested.

I'm in!

RCF · Apr 7, 2025

So does this indicate a bobber or strike indicator is included? Just having fun....

My favorite is an October Caddis or large Humpy with a Pheasant Tail dropper..

Gary Knowels · Apr 8, 2025

RCF said:
So does this indicate a bobber or strike indicator is included? Just having fun....

My favorite is an October Caddis or large Humpy with a Pheasant Tail dropper..

The dry gets to be the strike indicator in this instance!

SculpinSwinger · Apr 8, 2025

Sign me up!

mcswny · Apr 8, 2025

I’ll do it Gary.

rattlesnake · Apr 8, 2025

I’m game for this if there is still room. Would do a foam body caddis and a tungsten bead surveyor

rattlesnake · Apr 9, 2025

I have a tough end of the month schedule so I started (or finished) my droppers. 3mm surveyors

Brute · Apr 9, 2025

rattlesnake said:
I have a tough end of the month schedule so I started (or finished) my droppers. 3mm surveyorsView attachment 148789

I'm thinking sow bugs...which I'm tying soon...nice

rattlesnake · Apr 9, 2025

Brute said:
I'm thinking sow bugs...which I'm tying soon...nice

Yup my understanding is that the pattern was made with the intent that it was a little like everything. If I picked out the body more it def has that scud like appearance too.

I’ve seen a bunch of variations but this is the first one I was taught - PT tail, rainbow sow scud body with silver rib, dark rainbow sow scud dub for thorax and silver (and in this case) 3mm tungsten. I do like using red thread as suggested, when wet it all works together well and the red underneath shows a little and gives it a cool look.

Phil K · Apr 9, 2025

Count me in!

mcswny · Apr 9, 2025

@Gary Knowels let us know the final count and deadline.

Gary Knowels · Apr 9, 2025

Phil K said:
Count me in!

Excellent!

Gary Knowels · Apr 9, 2025

mcswny said:
@Gary Knowels let us know the final count and deadline.

I figure we can wait through the weekend and see if anyone else wants in. Monday I'll set the final roster and send details via pm.

I'm looking forward to it! I'll be tying a size 12 micro chubby in olive and a jig hook soft hackle pheasant tail nymph, both of which have been very productive for me.

mcswny · Apr 9, 2025

Gary Knowels said:
I figure we can wait through the weekend and see if anyone else wants in. Monday I'll set the final roster and send details via pm.

I'm looking forward to it! I'll be tying a size 12 micro chubby in olive and a jig hook soft hackle pheasant tail nymph, both of which have been very productive for me.

I'll be tying either a Hippie Stomper or a Fat Caddis (both Andrew Grillos foam patterns) with a size 18 dropper. My personal go to is usually a rainbow warrior/perdigon mashup. But I might do something fancier for the dropper.