Underground Fly Fishing Secret #2: The Bees Freeze…
By Tom Chandler on Sep 18, 2006 in Fishing tips, Flies, Fly Fishing
The Trout Underground isn’t exactly awash in “how-to” information, but every once in a while I get all helpful and nice, and something useful gets put on paper. This is one of those moments.
Because I’m going to reveal one of my Secret Fall Patterns.
Bees. Those buzzy, stingy things.
Fishing in the Fall? Dieing bees might be your best “hatch”…
Once the cold weather sets in, the bees start dieing. The male honeybee drones die off after being evicted from the hive and worker bees also succumb to the weather - as do a lot of wasps and and the like, the communities of which typically disband in the fall.
The die-off begins first on the high alpine lakes, and as the cold temperatures work their way downhill, the die-off follows.
I’ve hit the “bee hatch” several times, and fishing a bee pattern can be wild. The trout will gently nudge the fly to see if it’s alive, and if you’ve got the nerves to let it sit, they’ll suck it down.
That’s fun on a stick.
What about the River?
I only rarely fish bee patterns on the Upper Sac in the Fall (typically preferring the PED, BWO and caddis hatches), but the pattern has worked during the late spring and summer, and I’m batting 50% in the fall (OK, that’s writer obfuscation for “I’ve tried it twice and caught fish once”).
Still, last winter I saw dozens of dead bees in the bankside snow, and some of their friends must have ended up in the river.
It’s also worth noting that one of the original Ted Fay “Bomber” nymph patterns replicates a drowned bee, and that several big, big fish have been caught on the bug.
The moral?
Despite its “for kids only” reputation, it’s time to lay your hands on a few bees - a bug I’ve used to catch a lot of fish, especially once they start dieing in the fall. It’s a killer on the lakes, and can work on the river, though success on moving water seems less assured.
See you in the hive, Tom Chandler.
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Bamboo Addict | Sep 19, 2006 | Reply
One of the most famose Steelhead scatting patterns is the “Scatting Bee” and works very well in flat water, now I know why. Thanks TC I didn’t know about the die off. Maybe I should tye some up and we can try them this week. Bring the Canadian Canoe if you come.
David
Tom Chandler | Sep 19, 2006 | Reply
Interesting. The L&T Nancy’s plans have changed, so this week might be out (notice the “might” in there, still trying).
Sully | Sep 19, 2006 | Reply
Trout aren’t the only creatures attuned to the autumn bee die-off. Yesterday my child bride observed flocks of young flickers swarming across the estate. Working together the flickers were capable of shaking bushes. The birds were picking off lethargic yellow jackets.
flytimes | Sep 19, 2006 | Reply
It seems that the yellowjackets are the last bugs to succumb to the frost around here. I’ve seen ‘em on the river as late as November. I’ve been thiking of tying something up, thanks for the reminder.
WT
Tom Chandler | Sep 19, 2006 | Reply
Always happy to help with groundbreaking “how-to” information. It’s just that I need to find some.
I have had some big fun on the alpine lakes with these. I’m going to try one up there one of these days…