The "Bull Moose"

This little thing caught a beautiful Steelie. You can still see the Mono on it from the Riffle hitch

I got up this morning with an urge to share some info. First, i thought I'd do an Instagram live vid (which I may still). Then I started thinking about one fly in particular, then thought about some stories surrounding that fly. Then I did some research on the history of that fly . . . . . . . . Then I tore apart my spare room looking for a book (which I didn't find, so if I loaned you my "Flies for Atlantic Salmon" could I please have it back. Then my mind went away with it and here I am.

The fly was the The Bull Moose.

Although I know it to be a popular fly, I couldn't find much written about it. I know that its origins are from NFLD, where there is an abundance of Moose. It would only make sense that Moose wing would be popular there. I have never fished Atlantic Salmon in Newfoundland, but if there is one thing I've seen and heard, they sometimes use very small and sparse flies. I

When I got heavy heavy into fly fishing and tying in the early 2000's, I was obsessed . . . . .obsessed. The "Flies for Atlantic Salmon book was killer because there were lots of patterns. I knew well enough how to tie a lot of the Atlantic-style flies but needed the inspiration and patterns. Anymore I could give a shit about patterns and mostly go off on my own. However, there's something about Following a recipe for Atlantic Salmon flies (although still likely a loose representation coming off my vise.)

I used to laugh at the fly when I first saw it. Barely any materials, super sparse and easy to tie. My Frugal Cape Bretoner brain instantly went to, "Who's gonna pay good money for something that simple". If a fly works well and people don't have time or the means to tie them, they're willing to pay. People don't care about the money when there's a bug that works (You can count on some in my bins for next season.)

The Dozen Flies that I was presented to take “Whatever I like”

Although I was sure it would be an effective fly, I always thought it to be Blah and boring and I wanted to catch my fish on something more worthy or pretty or whatever. This fly has been in the back of my mind for awhile. One of my favourite things in the Steelhead game is getting fish to come back on "Finisher" flies. As time has passed, I've gotten smaller and smaller and more sparse with my finishing flies. Early this season, a good Pal of mine (who has moved to Newfoundland in his retirement) handed me a piece of foam with a dozen beautiful (small) Atlantic Salmon flies in it. He told me some connection of his had tied them and that I could take whatever I liked. Not wanting to be greedy, I went immediately to a little tiny Sparse "Bull Moose" I thanked him and put it in my box. I planned on saving it for my museum, but a time arose when I did give it a swim.

Kyle bent on the fish we followed up on with the “Bull Moose” pattern

I can't remember if it was the same morning or the next, but I was fishing with one of his good buds and we rose a fish on a large skater. We had the fish up several times and decided it was time to change the bug. I opened my box and there was the little bull moose. We tied it on, threw on a riffle hitch, and sent it past the fish. The fish climbed on with no hesitation, I'll spare you all the details, but it went something like run, fight, land, photo, laughs, etc., a very Memorable fish on a memorable fly. My Pal, who gave me the fly, was thrilled and hopefully, its creator gets to read this one day as well.

Such a memorable morning. You can see my fly box down on the deck of the Boat.

My Next post will be about the Riffle hitch