I’d like to think that the only options were Good, Bad, & Ugly – but past experience suggests there’s the occasional Divine, and a lot of Ridiculous.

I’m headed up North again next week – this time to assault some overly content Rainbow and Brown trout that assume the National Park designation means safety…

I’m facing the traditional lake fare, Calibaetis and Damselflies predominate with all the usual suspects thrown in to confuse the issue. A lot of nymphs cover the traditional mayfly activity, but I’ve got an opportunity to address damsels and test some “no hackle” dry flies – with lake fishing offering a great opportunity to see how they set and how long they’ll float.

Prototypes, scads of them – but I’ll toss out only a teaser just to whet your appetite; it’s Friday and a little mirth sets well with your exodus from work and pursuits that don’t involve ties or bagels.

Lead free for National Park use – Brass balls ensure the fly flops over – while I ignore the hoots and giggles of the unbelievers – kirbed Scud hook to give extra hooking, topped with fur combed through Fritz to dampen the sparkle just enough …

Tail bead is lined with silver to glow, and when I give a yank both head and tail flop – offering just enough movement to motivate that fat Federal hanging off the sunken log …

I used some of Roughfisher’s Peacock cactus chenille for the bottom variant – we’ll lump both under “ridiculous” until their field trial – the Really Good Stuff I can’t photograph – my hand shakes too much from laughing …