How to Tie: The CH Barely Legal

In this week’s “How to Tie” video feature, Kelly Galloup with The Slide Inn ties one of his best small baitfish imitations, the CH Barely Legal.

Learn About This Fly:

Difficulty: Difficult

For trout anglers, winter offers some fantastic opportunities for quality fish. Trophy trout are consistently caught in these colder conditions, as predators look to capitalize on meals to sustain themselves. Streamer fishing during winter is an effective and entertaining way to target these fish, and an excuse to not stare at a bobber. The CH Barely Legal is a streamer pattern that will turn the heads of those larger trout and possibly produce the fish of the year for you.

Many streamers that Kelly ties are most attainable by intermediate to experienced tyers, but that shouldn’t stop anyone from trying. Practice makes perfect and this could be a great pattern to try for your first articulated streamer due to comparative ease. Take your time on these, as they are quality over quantity on the vise. The CH Barely Legal is a fly tied best with your favorite music playing and a drink by your side.

Depending on depth, this pattern can be fished on a sinking or floating line. Changing retrieval speeds to figure out exactly what the fish want is crucial this time of year. Be prepared to switch things up and be versatile on the water during winter, as pressure changes and time of day will impact feeding behavior. Fish the CH Barely Legal with confidence this winter and prepare to feel headshakes on the end of your line.

Ingredients:

• Thread: GSP 100 

Back Section

• Rear Hook: MFC 7050 #4 
• Tail: 1 plume of white (bottom) and 1 plume of olive Marabou 
• Body: Pearl Cactus Chenille (Medium) 
• Under Wing: White Marabou
• Wing: Olive Marabou
• Connection: 17 lb. AFW Surflon Micro Ultra Wire -19 Strand

Front Section

• Hook: MFC 7050 #2
• Body: Pearl Cactus Chenille (Medium)
• Under Wing: White Marabou
• Wing: Olive Marabou
• Collar: Minnow Belly or Pearl Ice Dub 
• Head: Large Brass Conehead (Black Nickel) 

Now you know how to tie the CH Barely Legal!

Video and ingredients courtesy of The Slide Inn.