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Yarnies - Love or Hate?

34K views 504 replies 71 participants last post by  generic 
#1 ·
I called a NW Washington fly shop to get a little information for my upcoming trip to Forks. The salesman gave me great advice on where to float and where not to along with a lot of other great information. When I asked what flies to use, he told me Yarnies, which I had never heard of. He also told me how to fish them, which is very similar to nymph fishing here in Montana.

I did some Googling and found out more about them, but a lot sites were from spin fisherman. My thoughts are that they are just big Glo-bugs. I also fished with Jim Kerr two years ago and remembered these are what we used from his drift boat, but did not remember him calling the Yarnies.

My question to WFF, is what are your thoughts on Yarnies?
 
#3 ·
depends how you want to fish. from the boat? from the shore? spey rods?

the only time i would fish yarn flies would be when the good swing water is blown out and i'm forced to fish small streams. nymphing rivers with such a long and storied fly fishing history seems odd imo, but during december fishing over hatchery fish it will certainly bring more fish to hand.
 
#8 ·
Yarnies crush everything that swims. You can never have too many. Buy a pro pack of size 2 owner mosquito hooks. Cerise, orange, pink, chartreuse and white UV bling yarn. Cut a pile of 1" long pieces of various colors. Take each piece and divide into 4 equal pieces. Start your thread on your hook. Toss a piece on, wrap a couple times with thread. Next piece on. Wrap. More yarn... Wrap. Whip finish. Pop it out of your vice and pinch all the yarn and pull it back and give it one trim with your scissors to even it up and give it a roundish profile. Done.

I typically use 4 pieces in each yarnie but go as sparse as 3 on some bugs. Sparse is fishy. That's the simplest format and I tie and fish those little beauties with confidence.

Almost wish I had yarn here with me in Chile. Guess I will tie another swinger.... Enjoy your trip.
 
#17 ·
odd=evil.... makes sense to me.

and nymphing can certainly be considered fly fishing... but it is certainly more nuanced than i feel like explaining here, especially since i now have to say egging, beading, or glo-bugging instead of nymphing because we're discussing a yarn fly and not a mayfly nymph.

i also think it is pretty telling (and sad) that a fly shop would only mention one technique (that we know of from the OP). just adds another layer to my general dislike of the fly fishing industry. i also laugh when all of the links on yarnies via google are gear fishing sites.
 
#18 ·
Of course, what old time fisher-people would or would not do only matters if it matters to you. If following in a tradition is important, then run with it. If you want to try something else, then go crazy. Its your free time to do with as you please.

There is no definition for fly fishing other than the one you choose to accept. Fish in accord with the definition that works for you.

Unless you are in FF only waters. Then you better read the regs, because someone had their definition adopted by the man :)
 
#19 ·
I love this idea that those who support people fishing how they choose to fish with a fly rod and fly line (and yes calling it fly fishing, yes I guess if we don't catch the fish with our hands it is all technically gear fishing so I guess you are right there Charles) some how have hurt feelings when someone says differently, yet it seems to me it is always the traditionalist who start these arguments and then respond the most vehemently. I feel so butt hurt right now, my feelings are so hurt.
 
#21 ·
I love this idea that those who support people fishing how they choose to fish with a fly rod and fly line (and yes calling it fly fishing, yes I guess if we don't catch the fish with our hands it is all technically gear fishing so I guess you are right there Charles) some how have hurt feelings when someone says differently, yet it seems to me it is always the traditionalist who start these arguments and then respond the most vehemently. I feel so butt hurt right now, my feelings are so hurt.
Wrong on all counts.

Go Sox,
cds
 
#20 ·
This damn argument again... seriously? The horse is dead, put away your beatin sticks. What a waste of electrons, nothing has been gained by this inane bickering over something we each define for ourselves.

As for the subject of yarnies, I've fished them little on the dry side and have witnessed their effectiveness. I enjoy fishing simple patterns and yarnies fit the bill. Plus, they can be tied to resemble chinook eggs, which is effective at the right time of year. They also don't seem to tangle up too much when nymphing, compared to weighted flies and are relatively easy to cast. I should fish them more often.
 
#24 ·
To all,
The intent of my question was not to cause any hard feelings amongst the group. For the most part, I consider myself to lean towards traditional fly fishing, but in these days with synthetics, foam, UV materials and on you have to sometimes wonder.

I was a fly fishing guide in Utah when Glo bugs and San Juan worms first arrived and saw guides nearly go to blows over the ethics of using them.

As a non-resident of WA, who only fishes here every few years, I just wanted to see what the general opinion was. I apologize for any inconvenience I may have caused.
 
#34 ·
To all,
The intent of my question was not to cause any hard feelings amongst the group. For the most part, I consider myself to lean towards traditional fly fishing, but in these days with synthetics, foam, UV materials and on you have to sometimes wonder.

I was a fly fishing guide in Utah when Glo bugs and San Juan worms first arrived and saw guides nearly go to blows over the ethics of using them.

As a non-resident of WA, who only fishes here every few years, I just wanted to see what the general opinion was. I apologize for any inconvenience I may have caused.
Yarnies will be a solid bet during december considering the cold water temps and hatchery fish. That would be a much better technique compared to swinging flies, but people will differ with my opinion.

I wait to swing flies until wild fish show up and stick to gear that catches hatchery fish considering I want as many of them as possible out of the water.
 
#26 ·
I find it remarkable how given the exact same history of posts we can come up with opposite conclusions. I think it mostly has to do with the medium. There is no non-verbal communication on the internet. Additionally, the speed with whih posts come out don't allow for someone to just say..I did not say that.

I am not a traditionalist. In fact, I would generally think of that as a perjorative. Tradition is for those to dumb to come up with their own ideas. I truly detest tradition, for traditions sake. The idea that the original OP steelhead flyfishers are would be nymphers came up and I felt that I needed to respond. I understand that that is my problem. The problem being I often feel the need to speak up when I think the logic is flawed. In this case I clearly did.

The reason that Ira's statement is wrong is that its is a classic strawman argument. It is an attempt to reframe/ reword the opositions argument into words and thoughts that aren't true to their actual argument. It's my single biggest pet peave, that is don't put words in my mouth.

The other reason IRA's wrong is that he started the argument. Look back at the thread. CB gave and opinion and answeed the OP. It was a pretty darn informative post actually.

So my position is that he wrong on both counts.

Go Sox,
cds
 
#28 ·
Charles, I can relate about tradition. And the only reason I ever get involved in these threads is when the logic just doesn't add up in my head. At the end of the day I couldn't care less how someone chooses to fish. I do think it's pretty illogical to refer to his opinion as "wrong", but thats neither here nor there.

What kills me about these threads, as Ira pointed out, is the concept that anyone who states a differing opinion is somehow sensitive and "butt hurt". I see it all the time... Someone makes a grand statement like "If you want to fish gear, use a gear rod. Why try to church it up and call it fly fishing." Then if ANYONE tries to offer a rebuttal, they are simply labeled butthurt. To me, and I hope nobody takes offense to this, it reminds me of when the word "homophobic" was becoming so popular in the 90's. If you stated that you didn't agree with someone's lifestyle choice, you were instantly labeled a "homophobe" and that was that. In this case, and I've seen it many, many times... If someone states " I believe that using split shot, indicators, and weighted flies is still fly fishing" their is an outcry of "Oh just accept it. You're fishing gear. Why deny it? Just own up to it. Nobody judges you... " blah blah blah. That's my only real beef with these situations. At the end of the day, this all boils down to opinion. NOBODY is right. And nobody is right. However it seems that the folks who lie on the traditionalist side of the argument are allowed to make concrete, black and white statements while those who defend the other side are not.

And since logic seems to drive us both, I'm still waiting for a logical answer as to why using T-whatever is a perfectly acceptable method of fly fishing, but adding a small split shot somehow turns it into gear fishing.

I find it remarkable how given the exact same history of posts we can come up with opposite conclusions. I think it mostly has to do with the medium. There is no non-verbal communication on the internet. Additionally, the speed with whih posts come out don't allow for someone to just say..I did not say that.

I am not a traditionalist. In fact, I would generally think of that as a perjorative. Tradition is for those to dumb to come up with their own ideas. I truly detest tradition, for traditions sake. The idea that the original OP steelhead flyfishers are would be nymphers came up and I felt that I needed to respond. I understand that that is my problem. The problem being I often feel the need to speak up when I think the logic is flawed. In this case I clearly did.

The reason that Ira's statement is wrong is that its is a classic strawman argument. It is an attempt to reframe/ reword the opositions argument into words and thoughts that aren't true to their actual argument. It's my single biggest pet peave, that is don't put words in my mouth.

The other reason IRA's wrong is that he started the argument. Look back at the thread. CB gave and opinion and answeed the OP. It was a pretty darn informative post actually.

So my position is that he wrong on both counts.

Go Sox,
cds
 
#27 ·
Nah, Charles you are wrong he didn't just answer the Original Poster, he had to add that little jab about it being odd, come on, you know what he was trying to do there. I also just projected a possibility of how those "traditionalist" would have responded, which is still highly likely so my logic was spot on. What words did I put in your mouth by the way? Now I did equate evil with odd, I will own that. Now even though you never came out and said it Charles did you at all infer that my feelings were hurt? Do you infer, or are all your statements straight up logical and literal? Just asking questions, so you know please don't infer that I'm putting words in your mouth.
 
#29 ·
I did not infer that your feelings were hurt. I pretty much came right out and said that feelings are hurt in the dscussion. Yours, mine and everyone else's. There was no inference, I think it was more of a statement of obvious fact. The whole thing turns into an emotional shitshow.

Most of my statements on this subject, in this medium are meant to be literal. I'm sure I'd dial up the sarcasm if we discussed it in person.

I'll stand by Chris' post being informative and good, right down to the acknowledgement that he'll be fishing over mostly poor biting hatchery banana's. The gentleman is asking about fly choice afterall.

I have to go to date night with the wife. I would think that it would be more fun than this but she just got the bill from my skeena trip and she's asking questions. I hate questions.

Go Sox,
cds
 
#30 ·
Nick,

That's a great question. I know of a few Canadians who say T whatever isn't flyfishing. I's say itsa weighted flyline like any other, but I can accept their thoughs as well.

Shot on the leader is gear to me. That's my line, along with bobbers. Having said that I've used microshot and yarn indicators for GL trib browns and the weight was small enough that I was casting the flyline and not forcing gear onto a flyline. It was the only nymphing I've ever actually enjoyed. 10 lb browns help.

I gotta go on a date :).

Go Sox,
cds
 
#32 ·
No better way to forget this nonsense than a night out with the better half. Perhaps I should go spend time with mine instead of arguing on WFF and tying super weighted clousers. It may just be worth my while.

Have a good time!

Nick,

That's a great question. I know of a few Canadians who say T whatever isn't flyfishing. I's say itsa weighted flyline like any other, but I can accept their thoughs as well.

Shot on the leader is gear to me. That's my line, along with bobbers. Having said that I've used microshot and yarn indicators for GL trib browns and the weight was small enough that I was casting the flyline and not forcing gear onto a flyline. It was the only nymphing I've ever actually enjoyed. 10 lb browns help.

I gotta go on a date :).

Go Sox,
cds
 
#35 ·
Ringlee and Sean have nailed it. If you're fishing over hatchery turds, follow Sean's advice and stack up the yarnies. The hatchery fish can be tight lipped, and they don't belong in the river. When I'm fishing a hatchery run, all standards are out the window and I'll fish anything to get a limit (within the regulations). Yarnies, beads, plugs, spoons, eggs... It's fishing, and fishing makes me happy.

If we're talking wild runs, then yeah, I'll show some restraint. But hell, hatchery fish are there to harvest, so why not fish however you want, whether it be the most effective, or least effective method that pleases you?
 
#38 ·
Ringlee and Sean have nailed it. If you're fishing over hatchery turds, follow Sean's advice and stack up the yarnies. The hatchery fish can be tight lipped, and they don't belong in the river. When I'm fishing a hatchery run, all standards are out the window and I'll fish anything to get a limit (within the regulations). Yarnies, beads, plugs, spoons, eggs... It's fishing, and fishing makes me happy.

If we're talking wild runs, then yeah, I'll show some restraint. But hell, hatchery fish are there to harvest, so why not fish however you want, whether it be the most effective, or least effective method that pleases you?
I agree.

Dry flies- wet flies- weighted nymphs- spoons- jigs -spinners- plugs- corkies -yarnballs- roe- worms- sandshrimp- etc.

I wouldn't limit my method of attack. Fishing is so much fun, why not use the tools out there. I only want to be 'handcuffed' in the bedroom , not on the riverbed.
 
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