40 Rivers To Freedom

I came up with this fly for a Bass swap last winter.   It’s based on a fly pattern featured in the premier issue of Hatches Magazine, the Wooly Bully.  Really, the two have little in common except for their large size and head shape, but I think it’s important to give credit when credit is due.  The Bulldozer hasn’t replaced the Wooly Bully in my fly boxes, instead, it’s only complimented it.

Turns out, it was also a welcome addition to the other swap participants’ fly boxes.  A few weeks after the swap, I get an email from one of them with several pictures of my fly impaled in the lip of some monster smallmouth bass, and the one below.  This guy(Dan) only lives about a half hour away and we’ve been good friends ever since, fishing together as much as possible for as many species as possible.

FYI- That’s a 6″ fly and an 8wt Rod & Reel

Lately, Dan has taken a liking to torturing me while I’m on my way to class with his almost daily fish tales.  They usually start with, “Dude, you shoulda been there!”  Then end with, “Dude, what are you doing tomorrow?  You should ride up with us!”

I think I’d rather be water boarded by Cheney himself.

Anyways, it’s always nice to find out your concoctions work the way they were supposed to.  This fly also worked well on northern pike and largemouth bass.  There are even rumors that it caught a tarpon last year.  It even catches mammals.  Last night after I tied a half dozen for my own fly box, my family cat found them; and according to my wife couldn’t stop playing with it until it got stuck in her paw.  So now there has been a request to tie a few hookless Bulldozers.

Hook: Straight eye bass bug style hook
Tail: Rabbit Strip
Flash: 3mm wide, red christmas tinsel
Collar: Marabou(rabbit strips work well, too)
Legs: Rubber legs
Head: Stacked Glo Bug Yarn, trimmed to shape