Yes, purple continues to be the color of choice. Purple Morrish Hopper, Purple Peanuts, Grape Slushy, Purple Weight Fly, Purple Lightning Bug, Purple Holo Prince, Purple Zebra, Purple Haze… you get the idea. It would seem kind of ridiculous to believe that all flies must be purple to work, but if we sold purple Sharpie’s at Headhunter’s we’d have probably sold a thousand in the last month. So some folks believe it.
Don’t get me wrong, I do believe in purple trout flies. I’m the one that came up with the “Grape Slushy” after all, and it’s one of my favorites. Especially this time of year. That fly spawned the purple version of Dave bloom’s “Weight Fly”, another Missouri River favorite and probably the most popular nymph at Headhunters this season.
But when people tell me that it won’t work if it ain’t purple, I’m going have to call BS. And I’ve had enough purple for one season.
Or so I thought…
I walked in the shop today and my eyes immediately caught two purple variations of two of my favorite patterns. The Purple Sparkle Minnow, a black/purple/white version of our favorite Montana streamer (the Coffey’s Sparkle Minnow – sculpin) was the first one I noticed. Very sweet looking fly. If you want some you better call the shop and get them. I don’t think they’ll be in the bins for long.
Next, I noticed that our flyentologist Ben McNinch had also ordered up some Nymen’s Cripple’s with purple bodies and black wings. He’s calling it the “Stormchaser”. Love it. The only thing I like better than a Nymen’s BWO cripple in the fall, is a Nymen’s BWO cripple with a black wing (which we also have). The only thing that could possibly be better is a purple Nymen’s BWO cripple with a black wing.
Good job Ninch. I can’t want for October…
