Golden Retriever

[fadeaway263]

When I was at White Clay a couple of weeks ago I asked a guy what he was fishing and he said a "Golden Retriever" I must confess I never heard of this fly pattern Any members use it as a "go to"?

"Everyone has a favorite pattern, a "go to" fly for when all else fails.
The Golden Retriever is becoming a favorite of more and more fishermen. It has been a killing pattern for me for a long time.
Although I wouldn't claim it as my own invention (it's basically a Wooley Bugger) I have incorporated a few material and design changes that, at times, make this fly irresistible to fish. That said; calling this pattern "another Wooley Bugger" is like saying that the Adams is just another dry fly.
Look in the Orvis Fly Tying Manual in the wooley bugger section. Tom Rosenbauer gives it mention. The golden retriever proved its worth on a recent trip to Maine for landlocks - and Tom saw it in action.
And read Mike O'Brien's article on this pattern in the November 2007 issue of Eastern Fly Fisherman.

The golden retriever is especially effective in high and/or off-color water. It can be deadly fished as a streamer or as a nymph, high- sticked and bounced along the bottom.
The white version has become very popular and is especially effective on rainbows and steelhead. The root beer retriever has, more than once, saved the day for me when all else had failed."


http://www.mossycreek.com/goldenretriever.html

 

[reds]

I strated tying it about ten years ago when it was featured in a MAFFG article, it was written by a guide from Mossy Creek, so I assume the same guy from the link. It looks like the pattern has changed a little as the article I read only had the gold marabou for a tail. I have done well on stockies with it and a few times picked up some fish on spring and erie, but it is not a go to for me. The place I did best was rainbow Paradise outside of coudersport, I use to take my nephews there once a year and those fish killed that fly, of course they are stockies so it makes sense.

 

[franklin]

These guys still open?

http://www.flyfishingdelaware.com/Home/tabid/36/Default.aspx

They feature the Golden Retriever in their fly kit section.

 

[Bruno]

I tie and fish a version of that fly. Never knew the name. Some guy in a shop showed it to me one day years ago. It has become a go to fly of mine.

 

[Wmass]

BRUNO, what is the picture in your avatar? Is it a fly in someone's eye? Where did you get that?

 

[gfen]

Wmass wrote:
BRUNO, what is the picture in your avatar? Is it a fly in someone's eye? Where did you get that?

That's what happens when you make Bruno angry.

 

[Bruno]

Thanks for asking -- On a serious note always were eye protection when fishing. Eire can be a mad house. Puts the duck in the chuck.

 

[FiveWeight]

Bruno wrote:
Thanks for asking -- On a serious note always were eye protection when fishing. Eire can be a mad house. Puts the duck in the chuck.

That's just frig'n nasty! Damn, I feel like I got something in my eye now......

 

[ConMan]

I know the guy (via e-mail correspondence over the years) who "invented" the pattern and owned Mossy Creek - Jim Finn. A fine chap to be sure. He recently worked out a deal with Orvis and they now carry the fly.

It's deadly. I've been fishing it for years.

Cheers,
Mike

 

[Tups]

The White Clay Outfitters fly shop is still open for business in Newark, DE. They are located in the Louviers shopping center. They have a great selection of tying materials and might even sit down and show you how to tie a golden retriever, which, I am told, is the hottest fly on the white clay creek.

 

[jayL]

I hate to say it, but it's just another woolybugger.

PM me with any retorts. I ain't lookin' at that again... 🙂

 

[Bruno]

I agree with Jay - just another bugger - but I do have to say a very productive bugger. Great for steelhead.

I remember that it was Jim Hoey that showed me the fly. It was more than 10 years ago and I always have a few in my box. I also tie a black version with an orange under body.

Glad I learned the name.

 

[RyanR]

Helluva fly in my opinion. As was said, of course it's a bugger but it's definitely a very productive bugger. No matter the stream I've used it on, it has always produced for me since I first came upon it last fall in the Evening Hatch Fly Shop.

 

[wgmiller]

Yup, looks like a bugger to me!

 

[ant]

Bruno, I think you raise a very good argument for going barbless......