Craigs Night Time (3)

The Craig's Night Time Fly

is a pattern that was originally designed for fishing in low-light conditions, particularly at night or during dusk and dawn when fish are more active and less cautious. It’s a versatile, effective fly, commonly used for targeting trout and other freshwater species, though it can also work for certain types of saltwater fish.

Description:
- **Type**: Dry fly (usually, though variations can be used as wet flies or nymphs)
- **Size**: Typically tied in sizes 10 to 16, depending on the target species and conditions
- **Color**: The fly usually features a dark, almost black body (often with hints of purple, blue, or olive) paired with a prominent white or pale hackle (often made of grizzly or white feathers) and sometimes a darker wing or tail.
- **Materials**: It typically consists of:
  - **Body**: Dark chenille or dubbing, often in shades of black, brown, or purple.
  - **Hackle**: Long, webby hackle, often in white or light colors, providing buoyancy.
  - **Tail/Wing**: A white or pale wing that’s often made from soft feathers or deer hair, giving it a silhouette visible in low light.

Where to Use It:
- **Time of Day**: As the name implies, this fly is particularly effective at night, but it can also be used during low-light conditions like early morning and late evening, when trout are more likely to be feeding actively near the surface.
- **Water Type**: It’s most commonly used in stillwater or slow-moving rivers, where fish are more likely to rise to the surface at night. However, it can also work in some fast-moving waters if you're targeting fish that are looking for surface insects.
- **Best Locations**: 
  - **Lakes and ponds** where fish are likely to rise to the surface after dark.
  - **Slow-moving or deep pools** in rivers and streams, where fish can move to feed without exerting much energy.
  - **Tailwaters** or rivers with a lot of insect activity near the surface at night.

Fishing Techniques:
1. Casting Method:
   - Cast your fly just like a traditional dry fly, allowing it to drift naturally on the surface. Because the Craig's Night Time Fly has good buoyancy, it should stay afloat well, even in calmer water.
   - Shorter Casts are often more effective during nighttime fishing because trout can be closer to shore or in the shallows, and it’s easier to control the fly and maintain a natural drift.

2. Drift:
   - Allow the fly to drift naturally with the current or under the influence of any subtle wind or water movement. The key is to let the fly appear as natural as possible to simulate an insect drifting on the water’s surface.
   - Dead drifting is particularly effective—let the fly drift without any interference until it reaches the end of the drift or it’s eaten by a fish. If the fly is in the right spot, fish will usually take it as a food source.

3. Strike Indicator (optional):
   - If you’re fishing in complete darkness, it might be hard to see strikes. You can use a small light or an indicator to help spot any takes. Some anglers tie a small, subtle piece of fluorescent or glow-in-the-dark material near the fly to make it easier to track its location.
   
4. Fishing After Dark:
   - Since this fly is designed for night fishing, be sure to fish during the hours when trout and other species are more likely to rise, usually between dusk and midnight, or right before dawn. Use a good headlamp to spot the fly and be ready for the subtle takes, which are common in low-light conditions.

5. Retrieving:
   - While most fishing with the Craig's Night Time Fly is done through dead drifting, you can experiment with **small twitches** if you suspect there are baitfish or insect hatches nearby. However, the general rule is to let the fly remain as still as possible.

 Conclusion:
The Craig's Night Time Fly is a great fly to have in your arsenal if you're targeting nocturnal feeders like trout. It’s particularly effective for surface-feeding fish, thanks to its buoyancy and visibility in low light. By using proper technique and understanding when fish are most likely to feed at night, you can have great success with this pattern in your night fishing outings.

Also available:

https://silvereyeflies.com/products/craigs-night-time-custom-tied-dozen