The Serendipity is a relatively new fly that can mimic many patterns. Change the size or color and you can cover midges, to large sedges. Primarily, the Serendipity represents a caddis larva that is heading to the surface.
The name of this fly is perfect. It is lucky, fortuitous, happy, accidental, and a great gift to fly fishermen.
My first Serendipity experience came by word of mouth. I caught a trout with a Serendipity inn its mouth! A local guide often fished the Upper Madison River, above Raynold’s Pass. I watched him and his clients ripping lips on several occasions. Ross Merigold was a secretive guy when it came to his flies and he would never show them off or give them away.
On one trip, I was about a mile upstream from the bridge and saw Ross and his clients tearing up the fish in one of the beautiful classic nymph pools. I sat and watched until they left. When I got into the pool, I cast out and caught an 18 rainbow with the Secret Fly in his jaw! I tied it on and Yahoo, the bite was on. After about a dozen great fish, I put the fly on my vest as a sample to tie. Nothing else in my arsenal worked as well. The next day, I had tied on the vise and stocked up on this fly, in several colors.
I tie the nymph on a quality scud hook. Size 12-14 are my primary sizes. A product called Krenick makes for a wonderful body material that is flashy and durable. An elk hair wing will do the trick. Using a bead will help the fly fish deeper and a neck wrap of peacock herl ices the cake.
The nymph can be fished as a dropper or as a pair of nymphs with weights. It also works well when the caddis is hatching. Swing the nymph downstream and mimic the Caddis emerging by lifting the rod tip at the end of the swing. Make sure that you have a firm grip on the rod.
My nymph box is never without a selection of Serendipities.
Montana Grant
For more Montana Grant, catch him at www.montanagrantfishing.com.