When I consider early season flies here in California, color and profile are primary aspects especially when seasonal temperture/water clarity/resident and migrating insects present narrow pattern choices... Monarch Butterflies migrating in vivid orange and black along with resident Bumble and Honey Bee’s shout their presence in loud primary colors. The 2nd early season attractor captures these garish colors and causes trout to instinctively invuluntariely hit my new streamer “ Caron’s Charisma “. I work this pattern by quickly skipping it on the surface or making it twirl ala natural butterfly dances...... Ususally works very well under tree branches and falling off large boulders in mid river medium speed currents work best.

CARON”S CHARISMA

Both of these early season search and attract patterns have caught trout above and below the surface. Best used very early or awfully late in the day! I always finish off my flies with epoxy cement on high stress sections in order to extend its life. How many times I have suddenly found a fly pattern hot and getting hits almost every cast then suddenly falling to pieces because they are not backed up with glue! Now my flies can take hits and hook ups and still go a few more casts. This one aspect has saved me countless moments of grief and helplessness in the field because I was not thinking longevity while creating new patterns.....

Early season attractor/searching patterns have worked best for me when I’m working new waters early morning and witness no rising feeding trout or any evidence of resident piscatorial population. Because both of my new patterns scream Bee & Butterfly colors I like to emulate how these terrestrials find their way into streams and rivers. I usually aim for boulders in mid stream and let the fly actually hit the rock and fall straight down and hopefully stimulate fish holding under the boulders! Another tried and true presentation is lobbing the fly just under tree limbs hanging simulating a natural movement. Skipping these patterns quickly imitating a dying bug is also very effective, the quicker the skip the better followed by long stops. It takes practice to fool trout, one must spend much time watching the behavior of insects before trying to fit into their natural order. Watching and learning very important to all new fly fishers and oldshoolers as well.




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“ ADVENTURES OF FLETCHER QUILL “