New Fish Challenge - 2005

[Jason]

I've got a new challenge that could be a tough one. Here's the deal. During the year you must catch as many fish species as you can using the same fly pattern. This doesn't mean the same individual fly, just the exact same fly pattern; tied with the same materials, color, and in the same proportions. There's three scales to the challenge.

1. 5 species of fish using the same fly pattern.
2. 10 species of fish using the same fly pattern.
3. 15 species of fish using the same fly pattern.
****all during 2005.

The idea is to select a pattern and fish with it as much as possible for as many fish species as possible. At the end of the year it will be pretty interesting to see the results. Who knows, it may shed some light on the eternal debate of what the best "universal" fly pattern is.

There's a bonus. Try and catch 5 or more species using the same exact fly...kind of like the One Fly touney. If you lose the fly or it falls apart, it's over.

Here's a few patterns that could be the ideal fly pattern.
- black woolley bugger
- pheasant tail nymph
- clouser minnow
- parachute adams
- zonker
- CBS leech
- hares ear nymph
- midge pupa
- chernobyl ant

[stout_trout]

I think we've had this discussion before, but most of the species I've caught have been on only 3 or 4 different patterns. So, I know a lot of species can be caught on one fly pattern... but it's the choosing that is the most painful!

One clarifying question might be.. hook size. Can one tie a pattern in a 12 and then tie it in a 2...and still have it be the same fly pattern?

I have another challenge...

I think everyone should see if they can go the whole months of April and May without fishing. (inside joke for those who have little ones on the way in those months)

[Jason]

Well, my first thought was to keep the hook size the same but we could edit that rule. How about keeping the same fly pattern, color and proportions, but the hook size can vary? I think I will be choosing the clouser minnow in white and chartreuse.

[Lonnie]

Jason,

Sounds good, but I have a few questions.

1). Are we limited to Utah ?
2). Do hybrids count as "species"? (You know being the biology geek I had to ask that one!! :) )
2a) How about sub-species of cutts (Bear lake vs Bonneville vs CRC etc.)
3). Can we double dip ? ie: do the challenge multiple time with different flies ?
4). What do I get if I win? j/k

Sounds fun. I think I might be in for a white bugger/grizzly hackle. Black would be a close second, but I keep thinking about wipers at willard and the cutts at the berry and thought white might be a better choice.

[Cary]

THis is cool, and I think I already have the fly picked out. THis isnt limted to Utah fish , is it?

[Lonnie]

Let me guess. Can you catch bonefish on a Para Adams? :)

[joshuahodges]

did the five species last year in California. Five species of trout all on the same Fly(cuttthroat Golden brown rainbow and brook). towards the end i would get it stuck in a tree and would climb through the brances to find it. Finally the hook after catching probably 50 plus 5 Inch the biggest being 13 inches broke off. Luckily i still have the fly Its going in a shadow box where it will be retitred.

[Jason]

Well, my first thought was to keep the hook size the same but we could edit that rule. How about keeping the same fly pattern, color and proportions, but the hook size can vary? I think I will be choosing the clouser minnow in white and chartreuse.
Like I said, the pattern has to be the same color, materials, and proportions. You can vary the hook size if you want.

Lonnie, you ask too many questions.

I think in my first initial thoughts this idea would just be for Utah only, but I see no reason why you couldn't expand your territory. If you can hook a bonefish with a P Adams then you are "the man".

I think the first five species should be pretty easy, but getting up to ten and even 15 could be tough.

[stout_trout]

I can't believe you blurted out the pattern you are going to be using!

Where's the mystery?

[Jason]

Anybody have any thoughts on doing a Utah Cutt-slam this year? New Fish Challenge II? Brent?

[Jason]

I can't believe you blurted out the pattern you are going to be using!

Where's the mystery?
Hey, there's no reason to hide it. I better make it know to everyone now so I don't end up changing my mind mid way through the year; especially my fishing buddies. I guess I'm still undecided on what pattern I will actually use, but I'm really leaning towards the clouser. The CBS leech could be number two.

[Cary]

are propellers allowed?

[PowerBaitHeppy]

Anybody have any thoughts on doing a Utah Cutt-slam this year? New Fish Challenge II? Brent?


are you thinking of just catching them all in the course of 1 year, or one day?

[Jason]

are you thinking of just catching them all in the course of 1 year, or one day?
I was thinking 1 year, but I'd be up for doing it in one day. Is it possible?

[PowerBaitHeppy]

I think 1 day would be pretty hard! I am going for the Utah Cuttslam this year. And, I think I will attempt to do the cuttslam all with 1 fly! It's going to be a hopper pattern....but I still need to decide which one...

nothing like making up my own challenge! The cuttslam 1 fly challenge!

Thanks for the motivation Jason!

[Sumner Newman]

How about a Stayner Ducktail? Anybody considering that as their pattern?

[DrewTrout]

I was thinking 1 year, but I'd be up for doing it in one day. Is it possible?

There are at least two reservoirs in Northern Utah that by mid summer you can easily catch five species in one day.

[PowerBaitHeppy]

There are at least two reservoirs in Northern Utah that by mid summer you can easily catch five species in one day.


But, can you do it with 1 fly?!

I think I could probably do it in 1 day on the Boulder Mtn (and with the same fly at that!). There are still a few places that just might have a yellowstone or two swimming around with the Bonnevilles, and CRC's. The hard part is going to be distinguishing what's what!

[DrewTrout]

But, can you do it with 1 fly?!

Yes. Although your fly will be nothing more than a hook at the end of the day.

[PowerBaitHeppy]

Yes. Although your fly will be nothing more than a hook at the end of the day.

Hey, as long as I can still thread a worm on the hook, I'll be in business!!

[cheech]

How about a Stayner Ducktail? Anybody considering that as their pattern?

That's probably one of my favorite patterns. Good idea Mr. Newman. I can see how that thing would be a killer for warmwater species. I was considering using a chironomid until you mentioned that one. LMB's and Bluegill are a hoot with chironos.

Good to see yer brain still workin' Newman....

[nightfish]

A beetle will work on all trout species, definitely for 'gills & smaller LMB & SMB, probably for carp and crappie, but I don't think you'd pick up too many wipers or tiger muskie with one. I'd guess a subsurface pattern would do best, but I'd prefer a dry. How about an additional category for most species on top?

[Sumner Newman]

That's probably one of my favorite patterns. Good idea Mr. Newman. I can see how that thing would be a killer for warmwater species. I was considering using a chironomid until you mentioned that one. LMB's and Bluegill are a hoot with chironos.


Chirono . . . Stayner - tough choice. What about your famed Olive Willey, Cheecher?? I would think you'd go with that one . . . .

Ever caught bluegill on a scud? I used to do that in Mantua.

[Lonnie]

I'd guess a subsurface pattern would do best...

What's a subsurface pattern? :)

[Fred]

If I had time to do this, i would probably go with a scud.

[stout_trout]

I would have to choose.
1. The "stillwater scud" that I tie. (I gave you one) (tied large in can double as a crayfish pattern)
2. The clouser definately chartruese/white (very versitile in size)
3. White zonker (but it would look rediculous in a size 10 for the pan fish)
4. Senorfish's pollywog in black


....there, I spilled my guts about what I believe are the most versitile flies.

[Kuma Fish]

Joshua, I have a guess as to where you caught your 5 species slam in California. Was in on the Middle Fork of the San Joaquin??? Not sure if there are cutthroats in there, but I know the others are.

Just curious!

Kuma Fish

[joshuahodges]

The four that are considered the slam, brown,brook,rainbow,and golden, where all caught at the san jaquin, the golden was caught above agnew medows the other three where by red meddows. What i consider the slam all 5 was not caught in the same day but wouldnt be hard with a little luck. I hooked my 4th species at around 2 with plenty of time to drive out and hike my butt up to McLeod, where i caught the cutt. Me and my father where having to much fun and he still needed a golden. we went to mcleod the next day and hooked into some cutts, thats (mcLeod) a fun lake to fish. So i didnt get all 5 in one day, got them in two, but this year i hope to hook all in one day.

[mems]

Aloha, it is only June but so far I have caught the following species on a rainy's bubblehead popper: Ahi, Aku, Kaku, Rainbow runner, Papio, Aha.
I hooked a short nosed spearfish, but the hook bent at the boat and I didn't land him. I have also caught with a clouser the following: Oio, papio-GT-yellow spot-blue finned, Lai, Kaku, weke, Rockfish, Nunu. I know most of these are just strange names to you folks, but you can get a great variety of fish with those two flies. Mems.

[dan k]

i got a hankerin for some fresh catfish flesh. can anyone tell me where to catch the big'ens. does anyone know where and how to catch catfish in the Bear River on the utah side?

[Jason]

On the fly? Utah Lake near Bird Island and Willard Bay are good catfish fisheries. Bountiful Pond has some pigs as well.