The Magic of Ratty Flies

As something of a relief to novice fly tiers, ratty flies do work. It’s not until we become accomplished at wrapping feathers and fur around hooks that we realize our ever-growing commitment to immaculate ties isn’t necessarily helping us catching more fish. In fact, at least in the case of trout flies, it might even hurt our cause. On MidCurrent this week Paul Schullery shares his and other well-known authors’ wisdom on the subject of less-than-impeccable flies. As he suggests in “The Mystery of the Ratty Fly,” embracing the rat might be the smartest thing you do this season.