This week’s Throw Back Thursday Fly is the Sheep Creek Special.
I found the fly was developed by George Biggs of Jerome, Idaho in the 1960’s where he fished it at Sheep Creek Reservoir on the Nevada/Idaho border.
Some say the Sheep Creek Special imitates leeches is larger sizes and midges in smaller sizes. It might even imitate damselfly and dragonfly nymphs. That seems to cover every major lake fly! Sounds like an all-around fly to use.
It’s a pattern still used today by a few “experienced” fly fishers. A friend down the street has tied them for my local fly shop and I understand it’s a good pattern at Three Creek’s Lake outside of Sisters, Oregon.
My friend Jerry Criss taught this fly in 2014 at a Central Oregon Flyfishers Winter Fly Tying class.
To be honest, I think the Sheep Creek Special is an odd looking fly and have questioned whether I would tie the fly on the end of my leader. I think I’ll give it a try the next time I’m lake fishing.
Tie up a few Sheep Creek Specials for your fly box and give them a try on your favorite lake.
Let me know how they work.
Enjoy…go fish!
George was a friend and Mentor. He never told me what he thought it imitated, but George Biggs, Ruel Styner and Leonard Englebert, three of the Jerome/Twin Falls greats fished it often. As a young 20 some, I sure made sure I always had some, and still do. Great Fly.
Introduced to this fly 20 years ago. It is one of my top go to flies. Always a producer. Have no idea what fish think it is, but it sure looks buggy. I fish it deep and on top in a small size during an evening hatch. Try it, you’ll like it.
Betty