The New Polar Bug
by John Beth
Catches Coho Salmon!
I have something to share with you that may surprise you as much as it did me and several others here. I made an ( bold orange) adaptation of the #4 Bunyan Bug Salmon Fly to try this fall for Coho Salmon that return to some of our rivers from the Great Lakes. Well, no one I know - in the history of the fishery has tried to catch these fish on dry flies..until now ! I set out yesterday to try to prove something I always believed could be possible. I caught 4 really nice male Coho's (up to 32" !) on top with the Bug. I'm glad I alwaps had witnesses (and photographers!) there to see it happen.
Late in the day it happened.. I drifted the Orange Bug along the far bank.. ever so close to the edge..feeding out the silk fly line from my bamboo rod.. farther and farther down stream along the deep run - next to the bank. Then, a big "white" mouth opened and grabbed the fly as gently as a spring creek trout would take a tiny mayfly dun..only this was no spring creek trout...I set the hook and watched my reel scream as the fish covered the distance of a hundred feet in a couple of seconds. Then it jumped. Six feet out of the river, a beautiful steelhead fought like a warrior for what seemed like forever - then slowly came to the net. A half dozen other fishermen on the river that day caught only an occasional salmon on streamers. I never had caught - nor has anyone I know in this part of the country - any of these big fish on top in 30 years of fishing them. Now, a new door has opened.. what an incredible thrill.
John Beth
October 26, 2007
John Beth is one of finest fly fisherman that we know. He uses vintage reels and bamboo fly rods, and catches mammoth fish and tunes pianos. Keyboards and fly fishing always fit in the picture in our family as well. John is one the first fly tyers that has done a nice job imitating a Bunyan Bug. Not to mention the important part they catch fish! After his experimenting with Bunyan Bugs and being creative, John has made history in his homeland with his Polar Bear Bunyan Bug. "No one I know - in the history of the fishery from our rivers in the Great Lakes has tried to catch Coho Salmon on dry flies until now. The flies they are mostly bright orange. I really like the artificial polar bear for the wings..very tough and has a wonderful sheen says Beth." Kudo's to John Beth.
Richard Rose
