In many cases, l would argue that the closer we are then the percentages increase. Many argue that it is the presentation value that is more important. That l would not argue with either. Fact is both go hand in hand. They have to and one cannot work without the other.
In the case of cress bugs, commonly referred to by fly fishers as sowbugs, it is a food form. That in my book has to have some serious resemblance of the natural, be it by size, color and overall profile.
There are many species of cress bugs found here in North America. They have very similar characteristics life style wise. They are crustaceans of the class order Isopoda. Scuds are classified as Amphipoda. Cress bugs overall prefer unpolluted water of high quality, rich in organic matter which is a requirement of habitat for cress bugs. Typically spring creeks are perfect environments. Our own Dry Run Creek being the source l took the image of the naturals.
Scuds, on the other hand, will frequent most water systems including lakes and ponds. They are a little more tolerant of variables in water conditions, both high and low Ph values, and those that contain some degree of salinity.
Unlike scuds, sowbugs do not swim--they crawl. They are also an organism that dislikes light intensity as do scuds. Therefore they are more active during conditions of diminished light, evening and into darkness, which has certainly been the case when l have fished sowbugs in the evening periods. All in all, they are the perfect fly to use dead drift style.
I tie my sows both with and without weight sizes 12/12/16/18, to cover all needs with lead wraps from 12 to 20 of size 10mm lead wire. (click here for recipe) Which fly l choose to use, will depend on two things, water speed and depth, as well as the color of the fly. As a rule, l will go with the darker fly over dark substrate and the lighter versions over clean substrate. This really can make a difference at times.
It at all possible, l try to avoid added weight when wade fishing shallower water zones. A leaded size 14 and 16 will get down and track well along the bottom with more animation than it would with added weight. Here l will be using a long section of added tippet in 5 or 6x fluorocarbon. I more or less apply the same principles when fishing scuds and other imitative nymph patterns.
If indicators are used, they will be yarn, and a very minimal amount at that. I personally dislike hi vis indicators, even more so when fishing shallow slower water zones. They may well spook fish and draw the fish to the indicator and not your fly. Colors of white, tan, gray, and olive are my choices here.
In many cases, l may not use indicators when sight fishing to target specific fish, or when fishing the shallows at zones like BSD when fish are seen cruising in 6 inches to 1 foot of water. Indicators will alert these fish. A greased tippet with an unweighted fly is the deal here.
One little tip l will give you is this when fishing shallow water zones. If you wish to remove the worst of tippet flash, pick up some wet grass and draw the tippet through it. Flash an also be the reason why a fish will reject your fly.
Fishing high water drift style differs. We may need to add weight to get the fly down. I do this by tying on the shot at the termination of the leader/tippet section. Above the shot is tied the additional for the fly which may vary from 1 to 2 ft depending on how l wish the fly to track.
Tight lines guys.
The flies . Davy Wotton patterns tied by Tbird, under instruction !!
