Hart Lake Vixen
Availablity:
Trade
Flybox Code:724
Trade Only
Note: We can manufacture any design to order, subject to a minimum order size of 12 doz with a typical 3 month lead time.
I tie several leech patterns, most often with marabou in black, brown and deep maroon colours. However, the Hart Lake Vixen is not a marabou leech but instead, it has a black mohair or seal body, black hackle flowing wings, optional sparse black throat hackle and the most striking feature of this fly, a bright red kip's tail! The tail, it was said by the Polar Coachman old timers, was the difference between rainbow trout in the frying pan or eating beans only on those northern fishing trips!
The test for me came when the BC Wildlife Department announced a special two week opening on Hart Lake, about 65 kilometres north of Prince George. The lake had been stocked with a special rainbow trout strain some two years previously and because of the abundant feed, the trout had quickly grown to as much as four pounds! Although Hart Lake had been designated as a special children-seniors lake only, it was felt that the large fish were numerous enough to withstand a general public opening that June. I just had to try it but I found the fish very moody and uncooperative on my first trip to Hart. In short, I was skunked! I tried most of my favorite patterns to no avail including my top four, the muddler, spratley, leech and shrimp. But I had seen enough large fish rolling to be drawn back there in just a few days time. I decided to try the red tailed leech on a fast sinking wet line with a very, very slow retrieve. I had a couple of touches when suddenly, a powerful fish took the fly and surged away, taking half of my backing on a deep, powerful run. After a long tussle, the fish, just a touch under four pounds, was landed with the red tailed leech firmly in its jaw. Thus was born the name that I use for this fly, the Hart Lake Vixen!