SOME PMD’s – SUMMER 2016…

Summertime and PMD’s…What follows will be a smattering of patterns to cover the Western versions – to include Nymphs, Emerger/Cripples, Duns and Spinners. I have not attended, in scope, to these little crawler fellows in about seven years…so here goes…

PMD BOX, Summer 2016…

TWO TONE PMD SPINNER – Streeks/Variant…

HOOK: Daiichi 1110. #16 – #20

THREAD: Benecci 12/0, Yellow

TAIL: Coq De Leon, Dun

WING: Lt. Dun Zelon, Kinky

THORAX: #.2 Infrequens – Nature’s Spirit

The first of Montana Guide Neale Streeks PMD patterns…All three of these included patterns have appeared in Flyfishing & Tying Journal, they are good ones…

Materials TWO TONE PMD SPINNER…

TWO TONE PMD SPINNERs…#18 – #20…

BODY QUILL UV2 PMD SPROUT EMERGER – Brooks/Variant…

HOOK:  Daiichi 1130, #16 – #18

THREAD: Lagartun 74 Denier, Brown – Under Abdomen / Tiemco 16/0, Lt. Cahill – Thorax forward

SHUCK: Brown Zelon

ABDOMEN: Veevus Rusty Brown Body Quill over Lagartun thread

PARACHUTE POST: Rainy’s 1/16″ Cyl. Foam – color of choice – Yellow in this instance

THORAX: UV2 Fine & Dry, PMD

HACKLE: Whiting, Dun

A Bob Brooks pattern variant using Vevus Body Quill for the Abdomen…I like this material !!! Double it over for these small patterns…Brooks designs fly patterns for Solitude Fly…

Where Bob Brooks originated the above pattern…Hot Creek, CA…

Materials BODY QUILL UV2 PMD SPROUT EMERGER…

PMD SPROUT EMERGER/CRIPPLE – Brooks/Variant …

HOOK: Daiichi 1130, #16 – #18

THREAD: UTC 70 Denier,Yellow – Abdomen / Tiemco 16/0, Lt. Cahill, Thorax forward

SHUCK: Brown Zelon

ABDOMEN: UTC 70 Denier, Yellow

PARACHUTE POST: Rainy’s 1/16′ cal. foam – color of choice, in this instance – White

THORAX: Fine & Dry PMD dubbing

Hackle: Whiting 100, Dun

Another Bob Brooks pattern. This patter was developed while he was the river keeper at Hot Creek. I go there once in awhile…

Materials PMD SPROUT EMERGER/CRIPPLE…

SPROUTIN’ out…All #18’s…

TWO TONE PMD DUN – Streeks/Variant…

HOOK: Daiichi 1110, #16 – #20

THREAD: Benecchi 12/0,Yellow

TAIL: Coq De Leon, Dun

ABDOMEN: Micro Fine Dubbing, Sulphur Orange

PARACHUTE POST: McFlyon, Gold

THORAX: Micro Fine Dubbing, PMD, Olive Dun

HACKLE: Dun

The second Neale Sreeks  PMD dry pattern included in this series. He is among those tiers that like to hackle their parachutes with the hackle facing dull side up so that the pattern floats lower in the surface film…

Materials TWO TONE PMD DUN…

TWO TONE PMD DUNs… #18’s…

T-47 SH PMD EMERGER …

HOOK: Daiichi 1560, #16 – #18

THREAD: Danville #47 Tobacco Brown, 6/0 – Abdomen / Tiemco 16/0, Lt. Cahill, thorax forward

TAIL: Lemon Woodduck over Brown Zelon

RIB: Lagartun x-fine, copper

ABDOMEN: Danville #47, 6/0, Tobacco Brown thread

THORAX: UV2 Fine & Dry, PMD

HACKLE: Hen Neck, Dun

A simple PMD soft hackle which may be fished in the surface film dead drift or swung…

Materials T-47 SH PMD EMERGER…

T-47 SH PMD EMERGERs…#18’s…

FLOP-OVER PMD SPINNER – Streeks/Variant …

HOOK: Daiichi 1110, #16 – #22

THREAD: Tiemco 16/0, Lt. Cahill

TAIL: Coq De Leon, Dun

ABDOMEN: Micro Fine Dubbing, Sulphur Yellow

WING: White Antron Yarn

THORAX: Fine & Dry PMD Dubbing

The third of Neale Streeks PMD patterns. I tie a version of this in a BWO as well. They imitate the duns that have collapsed onto one side as the float downstream, about to give up the ghost…

Materials FLOP-OVER PMD SPINNER …

FLOP-OVER PMD SPINNERS…#18 & #20…

MOO’S HOT CREEK BANKER PMD …

HOOK: TMC 2488, #16 – #18

THREAD: Benecchi 12/0, Yellow

SHUCK: DNA Holofusion, Brown, 6-8 fibers

ABDOMEN: Working thread

THORAX: #.14 Tannish Yellow Natural Dubbing – Nature’s Spirit

HACKLE: Dun, 5-6 wraps, v-notch at bottom so it floats flush in the film

Something small and thin for Michael, in a PMD version, that is meant to be fished tight up against an undercut bank…oh yeah…

Materials  MOO’S HOT CREEK BANKER PMD…

MOO’S HOT CREEK BANKER PMDs – #16 & #18…

FOUND LINK PMD – Galloup/Variant…

HOOK:  TMC 102Y, #15 – #19

THREAD: Benecchi 12/0, Yellow

TAIL: Coq De Leon, Dun

ABDOMEN: UV2 Turkey Biot – PMD – * Coat thread with Zap- A- Gap before wrapping biot for durability

THORAX: Ice Dub UV Lt. Yellow

UNDERWINGS: Zelon, Golden Ginger

WING: Premium Yearling Elk, #.49, Bleached – Nature’s Spirit

A Kelly Galloup pattern which may be found HERE. I really like this particular threader PMD patterns and have started using a lot more Coq De Leon for tailing floating May Fly patterns…

Materials FOUND LINK PMD…

FOUND LINK PMD’s …#17…

FOLDED FOAM PMD C/E – Matthews/Variant …

HOOK: Daiichi 1110, #16 – #18

THREAD: Tiemco 16/0, Lt. Cahill

SHUCK: Zelon, Brown

ABDOMEN: Fine & Dry Dubbing, PMD

WINGCASE: Razor Foam, Translucent Dun, 1MM, doubled over and tied in at rear of thorax

HACKLE: Dun – v-notch hackleso it floats flush, in the film

Craig Matthews ties the Baetis version HERE …note that I have hackled my version though the thorax and not in front of it…just a preference…

 

Materials FOLDED FOAM PMD C/E…

FOLDED FOAM PMDs C/E…#18’s…

PMD BOX …half-way there…

DOWNEY’S WONDER NYMPH – PMD, Downey/Variant …

HOOK: Daiichi 1560, #14 – #18

THREAD: Uni. 8/0, Rusty Brown

TAIL: Mallard Flank, Dyed Woodduck

RIB: UTC Wire, Hot Yellow, sm

ABDOMEN: Micro Fine Dubbing, Cinnamon

THORAX: 50% Awesome Possum – Orange, chopped / 50% Ligas #.35 Medium Hare’s Ear

WING: Fluff on stem from the base of a Grizzly Hen Neck, tied in convex side up and pulled over the thorax

A Brad Downey pattern that Charlie Craven ties a version of HERE…I also tie BWO/Baetis versions of this fly…They work real good…

Materials DOWNEY’S WONDER NYMPH – PMD…

DOWNEY’S WONDER NYMPHs – PMD – #16’s…

UV2 DNA RS2 PMD Cripple- Chung/Variant…

HOOK:  Daiichi 1110, #16 – #20

THREAD: Semperfli Nano Silk, 12/0, Yellow

SHUCK: Zelon, Brown

ABDOMEN: UV2 Turkey Biot, PMD – * Zap-A-Gap thread before wrapping for durability

WING: DNA Holofusion, White – include 3 strands of flash with white fibers

THORAX: UV2 Fine & Dry, PMD

Simple Rim Chung cripple take on the PMD…

Materials UV2 DNA RS2 PMD Cripple…

UV2 DNA RS2 PMD Cripples…#16’s…

PMD EMERGER, LT. OLIVE – Peper/Variant …

HOOK: Daiichi 1130, #14-#18

THREAD: Tiemco 16/0, Olive

TAIL/SHUCK: Lemon Woodduck over Brown Zelon

ABDOMEN: Goose Biot #.1 PMD – Nature’s Spirit – * use Zap-A-Gap on thread abdomen before wrapping biot for durability

UNDERWING: Zelon, Lt. Dun, Kinky

WING: #.1 Blue Dun CDC – Marc Petitjean

THORAX: Stalcup’s Micr Fine PMD, Olive Dun

This is an Eric Peper variant. Some of his other PMD patterns may be viewed HERE…

Materials PMD EMERGER, LT. OLIVE…

PMD EMERGERs, LT. OLIVE…#16’s…

PHEASANT AND FOLDED FOAM PMD CRIPPLE – Gantner/Variant…

HOOK: Daiichi 1167, #18 – #20

THREAD: Tiemco 16/0, Dk. Brown – Abdomen / Tiemco 16/0, Lt. Cahill – Thorax forward

SHUCK: Zelon, Brown

ABDOMEN: Rusty Brown Pheasant Tail, (Wapsi PT P051)

THORAX: (*not pictured) UV2 Fine & Dry PMD Dubbing

WING: Razor Foam, .5MM,Translucent Dun, Folded over and tied to shank

HACKLE: Dun, 6-8 wraps

These John Gantner patterns are normally tied on straight shank hooks. I wanted to try some on the Klinkhammer hooks and will be doing some BWO’s/Baetis on these Daiichi 1167 hooks in my Fall Baetis post…The hackle is tied in front of the thread at an angle, pushing the foam wing forward. Then the tread is worked through the hackle and whip finished in front of the foam wing…

 

Materials PHEASANT AND FOLDED FOAM PMD CRIPPLE…

PHEASANT AND FOLDED FOAM PMD CRIPPLEs…

FIRE FLY PMD (Tan)…

Hook: TMC 2488, #14 – #16

THREAD: Tiemco 16/0, Lt. Cahill

TAIL: Partridge, Lt. Brown

RIB: Lagartun, x-fine, Gold

ABDOMEN: Stripped Peacock Eye, Natural

WINGCASE: 10-12 Strands Fire Fly, Pearl – * Coat wit UV Resin

THORAX: Dyed Peacock, Orange

LEGS: V-Notched Partridge

BEAD: Gold Tungsten, 5/64″ or 3/32″

A Tan, small PMD Nymph – keeping with the theme that PMD nymphs appear in a wide variety of colors even in the same bio mass…

Materials FIRE FLY PMD (Tan)…

FIRE FLY PMDs (Tan)…

LT. COPPER HOLOSHIMMER PMD NYMPH (Brown)…

HOOK:  Daiichi 1560, #14 -#18

THREAD: Tiemco 16/0, Dark Brown

TAIL: Dyed Brown Pheasant Tail

RIB: Holoshimmer #6011, Lt. Copper

ABDOMEN: Dyed Brown Pheasant Tail

WINGCASE: Medallion Sheeting, Buggy Brown – * Coat with UV Resin

THORAX: UV2 Dyed Peacock, Brown

LEGS: Dyed Brown Pheasant Tail, 3 fibers each side

BEAD: Plummeting Tungsten, Brown – sized to hook

A pheasant tail nymph done in a Dark Brown to more directly represent PMD nymphs, which vary in color ,more than any other May Fly…

Materials LT. COPPER HOLOSHIMMER PMD NYMPH (Brown)…

LT. COPPER HOLOSHIMMER PMD NYMPHs (Brown)…

LOWRIDER PMD NYMPH (Jig/Wire/Mink) …

HOOK: Umpqua/Hanak C 400BL, #16

THREAD: Under Abdomen – UTC 70 Denier, Black / Tiemco 16/0, Dark Brown, Thorax forward

TAIL: Coq De Leon, Ginger speckled

ABDOMEN: UTC Copper Brown, sm – * Coat with Dave’s Flexament

THORAX: Mink Body, natural brown

BEAD: Copper slotted Tungsten, 3/32″

This is a heavy jig version of this fly pattern which has consistently produced for me during PMD hatches…

Materials LOWRIDER PMD NYMPH…

LOWRIDER PMD NYMPHs… #16’s…

SLIM ICE & ICE PMD NYMPH – Wiese/Variant…

HOOK: TMC 2488, #16 – #18

THREAD: Uni. 8/0, Rusty Brown – Abdomen / Tiemco 16/0, Dark Brown – Thorax forward

TAIL: Lemon Woodduck, Barred

ABDOMEN: Uni. Thread

RIB: Black Ice Thread – * Coat with Hard As Hull for durability

WINGCASE: Midge Diamond Braid, Black – * Coat with UV Resin

THORAX: Ice Dub., Pheasant Tail

LEGS: V-Notched Brown Partridge

I used Walt Wiese’s “Skinny Nymph” as a template for this pattern with some variations…

Yeah…they work here…

Materials SLIM ICE & ICE PMD NYMPH…

SLIM ICE & ICE PMD NYMPHs…

OPAL & BLACK PMD NYMPH…

HOOK:  Daiichi 1110, #16-#18

THREAD: Lagartun 74 Denier, Rusty Brown – Abdomen / Gordon Griffith 14/0 Sheer, Orange – Thorax forward

TAIL: Brown Partridge

CARAPACE (BACK):Single Strand Micro Opal Flashabou, 1/100″

ABDOMEN: Lagartun Rusty Brown Thread

RIB: Lagartun x-fine, Copper – * Coat abdomen with Hard As Hull for durability

WINGCASE/LEGS: 6 Strands Black Krystal Flash

THORAX: STS Tribal Dubbing, Fiery Brown

Keeping with the theme of thin, a PMD nymph that would probably be most effective on waters close to hillsides with Iron Ore deposits – like the Frying Pan or Stillwater River in MT.

Materials OPAL & BLACK PMD NYMPH…

OPAL & BLACK PMD NYMPHs…

QUILL N’ FOAM PMD NYMPH, Brown – TMC 113BLH, #14- #18…

HOOK:  TMC 113BLH, #14- #18

THREAD: Tiemco 16/0, White – Under Abdomen / Tiemco 16/0, Dk. Brown – Thorax forward

TAIL: Woodduck, Lemon, barred

ABDOMEN: Veevus Body Quill, Rust

RIB: Fine or X-fine Copper Lagartun wire  *Coat with Hard As Hull

WINGCASE: .5MM Black Razor Foam

THORAX:  #.23 PMD Brown Emergence Dubbing – Nature’s Spirit – picked out  for legs

BEAD: Copper Tungsten, sized to hook

Something very thin, exactly what the abdomens on PMD’s are…

Materials QUILL N’ FOAM PMD NYMPH…

QUILL N’ FOAM PMD NYMPHS…

They are already hatching in some places…

 

 

PT/TB

 

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FALL Owens Gourmet Gambit II…FINISHED for XMAS…

These will be the second batch of patterns for The Lower Owens River in the Eastern Sierras, from Fall through Winter and into early Spring.Most of these guys will work in other areas of the world…Never know where me n’ the tribe might wander. As usual, first the fly, then the recipes and additional information…

So…in the midst of tying these SCOTTY’s MIDGES, the tension screw on my older Renzetti Traveler vise went South. Well, after eleven years and thousands of flies, that happens …back to Renzetti for a new cam-lever set of jaws and an upgrade to the Renzetti 2000…a back-up now for me and something for Michael to get started tying on…Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from the “Old Guy”…

“OLD GUY”…

 

Finished GOURMET GAMBIT BOX II…

OLIVE RAINBOW DIP (G-BCS-20)…

Hook: Daiichi 1130, #18 -#22

THREAD: Gudebrod 8/0, BCS 20 Light Olive Green – Abdomen / Tiemco 16/0, Black – Thorax forward

RIB: Lagartun Copper wire, X-Fine – * Coat Abdomen with Hard As Hull

WING: Six strands Midge Rainbow Flash (Pearl or Silver) or Hareline Midge Flash (Pearl or Silver)

Slowly using up the last of the great Gudebrod thread left in my stash. If one is interested it still may be obtained through Performance Flies. Below is what was available when a wonderful store put out the best Fly Fishing catalog ever..

On the subject of threads, check out this “floating thread” that my friend Jacob just got in at Competitive Angler…

Materials OLIVE RAINBOW DIP…(there is the G-BCS-20)…

OLIVE RAINBOW DIP(s)…

UV/2 GLO-BRITE MIDGE (Purple)…

HOOK: Gamakatsu C-12B, #18 – #20

THREAD:  Tiemco 16/0, White – Under abdomen (not pictured) / Tiemco 16/0, Black – Thorax forward

SHUCK: Krystal Flash, UV Pearl

RIB: Purple Ribbing Wire, .005 Dia.

ABDOMEN: Datum Glo-Brite Floss, #14, Purple

THORAX: UV2 Peacock, Purple – Spirit River

BEAD: Black tungsten, sized to hook

Floss over white thread for translucency – always. Something in Purple, which will always work…

Materials UV/2 GLO-BRITE MIDGE (Purple)…

UV/2 GLO-BRITE MIDGE(s)…

Big MOO on the Lower Owens River in late December…maybe again this year ?

SOFT HACKLE PSEUDO PT JIG …

HOOK: Hanak 400BL, #16, Dohiku HDJ, #18

WEIGHT: .010 Lead

THREAD: Tiemco 16/0, Olive

TAIL: Coq De Leon, Light Speckled

RIB: Lagartun Copper, X-Fine

ABDOMEN: Natural Pheasant Tail Fibers

THORAX: Pseudo Peacock Dubbing, Natural – Spirit River

BEAD: Slotted, Copper Tungsten, sized to hook

A simple, little, unobtrusive jig for those times the Trout are not wanting Bling…

 

Materials SOFT HACKLE PSEUDO PT JIG…

SOFT HACKLE PSEUDO PT JIG(s)…

DNA TAC-VAC (Black) – Nyman/Variant …

HOOK: Daiichi 1130, #18 – #20

THREAD: Tiemco 16/0, Black

RIB: UTC Silver wire, x-sm

ABDOMEN: Non-flash strands DNA Holo Fusion, Black – * Coat with Hard As Hull

WING: Z-lon. Kinky White

THORAX: UV2 Peacock, Black

BEAD: Tungsten, Black, sized to hook

 

Simple little Black Midge Pupa based on Rowan Nyman’s “Shop-Vac”…which has caught a ton of fish for me and my guys…If on wishes to get technical, use melanistic pheasant tail fibers for the abdomen…

Materials DNA TAC VAC (Black)…

DNA TAC VAC(s) …

X2-UV2 (BLACK PEACOCK) SPARKLE GNAT – Griffith’s Gnat-George Griffith/Variant …

HOOK: TMC 101, # 18- #22

THREAD: Tiemco 16/0, Black

SHUCK: Sparkle Yarn, Amber, cut short mixed with 3 strands of Midge Flash, Fl. Fire Orange, Pearl

ABDOMEN:UV2 Peacock, Black

HACKLE: Whiting, Grizzly

The Griffith’s Gnat imitates a cluster of Midges, this pattern (Sparkle Gnat), originated in the UK. I like using them on most High Sierra Lakes and in the swirling back eddys on the EWR and Owens River. Anywhere that midges collect in large numbers, on slow flat water etc…all of these are excellent locations for this pattern…

Materials X2-UV2 (BLACK PEACOCK) SPARKLE GNAT…

X2-UV2 SPARKLE GNAT(s)…

Half way there…

COMBO MID-BEAD BAETIS – Gunkel/Variant …

HOOK: TMC 2488, #18 – #20

THREAD: Tiemco 16/0, Olive

TAIL: Lemon Woodduck

ABDOMEN: Combo Thread, Olive/Yellow Cascade Crest – * Coat with Hard As Hull

LEGS: Fluoro Fibre, Brown, 10-12 Strands each side

WINGCASE: Holographic Mylar Motion, Black, 1/32′ – * Coat with UV Resin

THORAX: UV2 Fine & Dry, Callibaetis

BEAD: Copper Tungsten, Sized to hook

A variation on Shea Gunkel’s “Shotglass Baetis”. I used combo thread, for segmentation and a black, holographic wing case because the wing cases on BWO’s/Baetis darken to almost black when the nymphs are most active, just prior to emergence…The copper tungsten bead is for weight – use a glass bead to fish it as an emerged/dropper…

Materials COMBO MID-BEAD BAETIS…

COMBO MID-BEAD BAETIS…

OLIVE THIN WINGED JIG – Vasies/Variant …

HOOK: Daiichi 4640 Jig Hook, #16, Dohiku HDJ Jig Hook, #18 – #20

THREAD: Tiemco 16/0, Olive

WEIGHT: .010 Lead

TAIL: Lemon Woodduck

ABDOMEN: UV2 Turkey Biot, fringed side up – * Coat thread with Hard As Hull before wrapping

WING: MP Select CDC, Blue Dun – two feather tips

THORAX: UV2 Fine & Dry, BWO

BEAD: Slotted Tungsten, Black or Copper, sized to hook

This is a unique Lucian Vasies pattern he designed as a “winged wet for dynamic nymphing”. Check out his other patterns and visit his Troutline store for some really interesting fly tying materials…This is just a quick and simple variant with generic BWO colors…These Daichi jig hooks have much longer shank than the European Jig Hooks. Rumor has it that Daichi will be offering the in smaller sizes, at some point…

 

Materials OLIVE THIN WINGED JIG…

OLIVE THIN WINGED JIG(s)…

Somebody was fishing the “Housy” a few days ago…

…and caught this…

UV2 HOLO COPPER FIRE JIG – Oishi/Variant …

HOOK: Hanak C400BL, #16, Dohiku HDJ Jig Hook, #18

WEIGHT: .010 Lead

THREAD: Tiemco 16/0, Black

TAG & HOT SPOT: Veevus 14/0, Fl. Orange, * Coat with Hard As Hull

TAIL: Coq De Leon, Dark Speckled

ABDOMEN: Sulky Holoshimmer, Copper – * Coat with Hard As Hull

THORAX: 70% Firestar Copper Fire / 30% UV2 Dubbing Enhancer, Dark

This is a scaled down variant of Canadian tier, Todd Oishi’s ” Prospector “. With various colors of Sulky Holoshimmer, let thy imagination run…I like using these little guys as anchor flies, trailing a simple Midge pattern, like a Cream Miracle Midge, off the back on places like the East Walker River…

Materials UV2 HOLO COPPER FIRE JIG…

UV2 HOLO COPPER FIRE JIG(s)…

GAMERA MIDGE, Brown …

HOOK: Daiichi 1130, #18 – #22

THREAD:Tiemco 16/0, White- Under abdomen / Tiemco 16/0, Brown – Thorax forward

ABDOMEN: 8-10 strands, non-flash DNA Holo Fusion, Brown

RIB: UTC wire, Red, x-sm

THORAX: UV2 Peacock, Brown – Spirit River

BEAD: Black tungsten, sized to hook

It’s Gamera…what else do I need to say…

GAMERA…

Materials GAMERA MIDGE – (Fl. Fire Orange/Pearl Midge Flash shuck, not pictured)…

GAMERA MIDGES…

UV2 BLUE HOLO MIDGE …

HOOK: Daiichi 1130, #18 – # 22

THREAD: Tiemco 16/0, White – Under abdomen to and including thorax / Tiemco 16/0, Black, behind bead

SHUCK: Krystal Flash, UV Pearl

ABDOMEN: Blue Holographic Tinsel (here, from Rainbow Holo Flashabou) or from Veevus

RIB: UTC Silver wire, x-sm – * Coat abdomen with Hard As Hull

THORAX: UV2 Peacock, Black – Spirit River

BEAD: Silver Nickel Tungsten, sized to hook

Yep, I like BLUE. There have been quite a few occasions that this color has worked very successfully for me and the tribe. I like to keep more than a few in my Midge boxes…just never know…

Brown, taken by Michael on the East Walker River, on a BLUE Midge…

Materials Uv2 HOLO MIDGE…

UV2 BLUE HOLO MIDGES – (one Black for contrast)

The new vise…

SCOTTY’S MIDGE – Matthews / Variant …

HOOK: TMC 2488, #18 -#20

THREAD: Tiemco 16/0, White – Underabdomen / Tiempo 16/0, Black – Thorax forward

SHUCK: Coachman Red Zelon

RIB: Brown Micro Tubing

ABDOMEN: Coachman Red Zelon

THORAX: UV2 Fine & Dry, Black

WING: Coastal Deer Hair – Nature’s Spirit

This is a pattern that has been around for awhile and mentioned frequently in the BRF Newsletter. Try and find a recipe for it ! Maybe Craig Matthews will do a video on this bug at some point in the future. And HERE it is (5.26 2016) In the meantime, I went with an approximation gathered from this location. Notice that the BRF version is tied on a TMC 2488 hook and the other on a TMC 206 BL hook…I like the former for this pattern…

Materials SCOTTY’S MIDGE…

SCOTTY’S MIDGE(s)…

MOTTLED MIDGE UV2…

HOOK: Gamakatsu C12-B, #18 – #20

THREAD: Tiemco 16/0, Black

ABDOMEN: Lady AmherstPheasant Tail, Red/Black fibers – Spirit River

RIB: Sulky Holoshimmer, Black

THORAX: UV2 Peacock Herl, Natural

WINGS: 4-6 Strands, Nymph Shear, Pearlescent White – Cascade Crest

BEAD: Silver Nickel Tungsten, sized to hook

Just an offbeat Midge with some mottling and a flashy wing. I like these kinds of patterns that the Trout have not seen before…

 

Materials MOTTLED MIDGE UV2…

MOTTLED MIDGE(s) UV2…

 

 

PT/TB

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FALL Owens Gourmet Gambit…Ten Midges / Two BWO’s…

So…Fall, my favorite time of year. What follows with be a smattering of patterns, small and large (in the following post), for use in the Eastern Sierras and primarily – the Lower Owens River. These guys would work almost anywhere in the West and maybe some other places as well… Life intruded a bit on my completing all of the recipes and additional information – it does that, sometimes…

MIDGES & 2 BWO’s – Fall 2015…

PAL (Midge) – Keeler/Variant…

HOOK: TMC 2488, #18-#20

THREAD: Tiemco 16/0, Olive

RIB: UTC wire, x-sm, Black

THORAX: Ice Dub, UV Tan

BEAD: Hi-Lite Glass Bead, Blue Peacock, x-sm

This pattern is an Adrian Keller design. I featured, but did not tie it, about six years ago. Finally…done…

Materials PAL (MIDGE)…

PAL (MIDGEs)…

Lower Owens River, Wild Trout section…Bishop, CA…with what is needed soon…

PARA-MIDGE EMERGER,Cream – Willmott-Sanchez/Variant…

HOOK: Daiichi 1167, #20 (and smaller when they make them)

THREAD: Under Abdomen – Tiemco 16/0, White / Thorax forward – Tiemco 16/0, Black

ABDOMEN: Emergence Dubbing, #.11 Cream – Nature’s Spirit

RIB: Krystal Flash, Medium Brown

WING: Hi-Vis, White

HACKLE: Whiting Grizzly Midge

The PME was developed by long time guides Gary Willmott and Scott Sanchez on the upper Snake River.. It was originally tied on a TMC 101 hook. The abdomen on this pattern is meant to hang below the surface film so use floatant only on the hackle and wing. I tied this is cream because this Midge color is predominant on the Lower Owens and East Walker Rivers…

Materials PARA-MIDGE EMERGER -Cream …

PARA-MIDGE EMERGER(s) – Cream…

UV2 RC MIDGE – Gold, Freeman/Variant …

HOOK: Daiichi 1130, #18 – #20

THREAD: UnderAbdomen – Tiemco 16/0, White / Thorax forward – Tiemco 16/0, Black

OVER ABDOMEN: Micro Floss, Gold – Cascade Crest

RIB: Brown Micro Tubing

THORAX: UV2 Dyed Peacock Eye, Black

Another Paul Freeman variant of a pattern for the San Juan River ( link to Paul below). I always use white tread as a base under floss bodies. A little trick I learned a while back  – it adds to the translucency of a floss abdomen which is particularly important for Midge Larva or Pupa…

Materials UV2 RC MIDGE…

UV2 RC MIDGE(s)…

UV2 MIDGE EMERGER, Black – Iwamasa/Variant …

HOOK: Daiichi 1110, #18 – #22

THREAD: Tiemco 16/0, Black

SHUCK: Natural Mallard feather section, curved side up – (I spread a little thinned Dave’s Flexament on it)

WING: White Poly Yarn

ABDOMEN: UV2 Fine & Dry, Black

HACKLE: Whiting Grizzly Midge – 1 1/2 turns

This is an interesting Ken Iwamasa pattern that he uses on the Frying Pan River in the video linked to under his name. I have caught one or two Trout in that section over the years. His take on the shuck imitation is, well… provocative…

Materials UV2 MIDGE EMERGER, Black – Iwamasa/Variant…

UV2 MIDGE EMERGER(s), Black…

MIRACLE MIDGE, Brown …

HOOK: Daiichi 1130, #18 – #22

THREAD: Abdomen – Tiemco 16/0, Brown / Head – Tiemco 16/0, Black

RIB: Lagartun x-fine, Copper wire – * coat fly with Hard As Hull for durability

It does not get much simpler than this Midge Larva. I have taken some of my largest Trout on this type of pattern over the past several years and I keep a stock of them in different colors for me and my tribe to use…

Materials MIRACLE MIDGE, Brown …

MIRACLE MIDGE(s), Brown…#18 & #20…

CRUMPLED MIDGE time on the Lower Owens River, Bishop, CA…

CRUMPLED MIDGE, Cream – Engle/Variant …

HOOK: Daiichi 1110, #18 – #22

THREAD: Under Abdomen – Tiemco 16/0, White /Thorax forward- Tiemco 16/0, Black

OVER ABDOMEN: Cream, Black, Olive, Brown, etc. Micro Tubing (it’s hollow, it floats)

WING: Medallion Sheeting, Dun

A variation on an older Ed Engle pattern that is meant for sippers in flat water on cold, overcast, snowy days. Here be a few of those on the Lower Owens River…checkout some of Ed’s other small patterns on the link above…

CRUMPLED MIDGE, Olive – Engle/Variant – Daiichi 1110, #18 – #22…

CRUMPLED MIDGE, Black – Engle/Variant – Daiichi 1110, #18 – #22…

Materials CRUMPLED MIDGE…

A flock of CRUMPLED MIDGES…

A good time and place to use the pattern below…Michael says so…

COQ’d OPAL MIDGE, Blue/Lavender…

HOOK: Umpqua JB01 Hook, #16

THREAD: Tiemco 16/0, Black

WEIGHT: .010 Lead Wire

RIB: UTC Gunmetal Blue wire, x-sm

OVER ABDOMEN: (of working black thread) 1/100″ Opal Micro Flashabou

WING: Coq De Leon, Barred Speckled Aconchado

THORAX: Ice Dub UV Lavender

HOT SPOT: Datum Glo-Brite Floss, #.15, Fl. Purple

BEAD: Black Tungsten, 2,4mm

Another attractor Midge type pattern in flashy colors. I like these on particularly cold days and fish them with the expectation that there will soon be a nice Trout attached to it…usually happens…

Materials COQ’d OPAL MIDGE…

The HOOK…

COQ’d OPAL MIDGE(s)…

UV2 OWENS BAETIS CRIPPLE – Matthews/Variant …

HOOK: TMC 2488, #16 – #18

THREAD: Abdomen, Lagartun 74 Denier, Olive / Thorax forward – Tiemco 16/0, Olive

SHUCK: Sparkle Emerger Yarn, Olive Brown

ABDOMEN: Lagartun 74 Denier, Olive Thread

WING: EP – Trigger Point Int’l Fibers , BWO (Dun)

THORAX: UV2 Dyed Peacock Eye, Purple – Spirit River

HACKLE: Whiting Midge, Dun

A variation on THIS Craig Matthews pattern for the BWO/Baetis Fall hatch on the Lower Owens River…I like Enrico’s Trigger Point Int’l fibers of small patterns and it comes in an array of insect colors…

Materials UV2 OWENS BAETIS CRIPPLE…

UV2 OWENS BAETIS CRIPPLE(s)…#16 & #18…

UV2 PURPLE MYSTIC MIDGE PUPA …

HOOK: Gamakatsu C12-B, #18 – #20

THREAD: Tiemco 16/0, White – Under abdomen / Tiemco16/0, Black – Thorax forward

SHUCK: 1 strand Opal Midge Flash

OVER ABDOMEN: Purple Micro Tubing

WINGLETS: 1 strand Krystal Flash UV Purple, doubled back, for one each side

THORAX: UV2 Dyed Peacock Eye, Black – Spirit River

BEAD: X-sm Diamond Bead – Killer Caddis

A Midge Pupa in Purple for AM or PM low light and overcast conditions…

Materials UV2 PURPLE MYSTIC MIDGE PUPA…

UV2 PURPLE MYSTIC MIDGE PUPAE…

COPPER HOLOSHIMMER N’ ICE MIDGE LARVAE – Freeman/Variant …

HOOK: Daiichi 1130, #18 – #24

THREAD: Tiemco 16/0, Black

RIB: Black Ice Thread

ABDOMEN:  Lt. Copper Holoshimmer – Coat completed fly with Hard As Hull for  durability

This is a simple Midge Larva pattern that is a variation on a Paul Freeman pattern. Notice on the link to Sulky Holoshimmer, the amount of different available colors. Do not be adverse to trying ALL of them out…it makes a great ribbing material too for smaller patterns !

Materials COPPER HOLOSHIMMER N’ ICE MIDGE LARVAE…

COPPER HOLOSHIMMER N’ ICE MIDGE LARVAE…

Fall… on the Lower Owens River…

HS / UV2 BAETIS JIG – Gray/Olive…

HOOK: Umpqua (Hanak) C400BL #16, Dohiku HDJ Jig Hook, #18 – #20

THREAD:Tiemco 16/0, Olive

TAIL: Lemon Wood Duck fibers

ABDOMEN: Gray Micro Tubing over working thread

HACKLE: #3 Dun Hen neck feather

THORAX: 80% Micro Fine dub., BWO Gray Olive / 20% UV2 Dubbing Enhancer, Dark

HOT SPOT: Veevus 14/0, FL. Orange thread

BEAD: Copper Slotted Tungsten, size to hook

A bit of an attractor BWO nymph pattern that sinks like a rock. I fish these upstream then let them swing upwards through the drift…

Materials  HS / UV2 BAETIS JIG – Gray/Olive…

HS / UV2 BAETIS JIG(s) – Gray/Olive…

FLASH JUJU – Charlie Craven…

HOOK:  TMC 2488, #18 – #22

THREAD: Tiemco 16/0 , White – Under Abdomen / Tiemco 16/0, Black – Thorax forward

ABDOMEN: Two strands of Olive Superhair, 1 strand Black Superhair

THORAX: 1 strand 1/100″ Micro Opal Flashabou over Black thread

WING CASE/BUDS: Dun Fluoro Fiber

Charlie Craven new addition to the JuJu series. This one is not up on the Flybox site yet. Some of his other JuJu patterns may be found HERE. They have been very productive for me where large populations of Midges are found…

Materials FLASH JUJU…

FLASH JUJU(s)…

NEXT: More patterns for the Lower Owens River through Winter

PT/TB

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Drunella flavilienea…completed !

Many moons ago, I was fishing up in Bridgeport, CA when I met an older woman, at the Bridgeport Inn, from Reno, NV that owned property on a small creek that ran off the Eastern Side of the Sierras between Bridgeport and Walker, CA. She invited me to meet her at a locked U.S. Forrest Service gate to gain access to that location, the next morning. I spent the entire day up there and caught Brookies, Browns and Rainbows galore. I stomach sampled a couple of the fish I caught and Drunella flavilienea or Flav  nymphs were in that sampling. That was the first time I became aware of their presence in the Eastern Sierras other than in the Truckee River which runs East out of Lake Tahoe into Reno, NV and beyond. These guys had a distinct grey-ish cast to their otherwise olive color…I’ll get into that later..

Flavs or Lesser Green Drakes, are composed of two species, Drunella flavilinea and Drunella coloradensis. One needs a microscope and entomology degree to distinguish between the two. They are crawlers and they also are ( Hafele & Hughes) the third most important Mayfly hatch, behind the Baetis complex and PMD’s, on moving Western waters.They can be found almost anywhere in the mountainous West. In California, their distribution is widespread and they are probably present in a lot more locations than have been documented. In Montana, they have been found HERE. They may be found hatching from Mid-June through Mid-October from the Pacific to the Rocky Mountains. On most waters the Flav hatch begins when water temperatures creep up towards a steady 55°…I always carry one of these:

 

Stream Thermometer…

On Hafele & Hughes’ Hatch Importance Ranking Table,  Flavs are ranked in this order of avaiability:

1.Duns & Emergers

2. Nymphs

3. Spinners

I carry all of them…

A FLAV BOX…288 flies…

SPOT N’ SPARKLE SPINNER (Flav) …

HOOK: Daiichi 1110, #12 – #16

THREAD: UTC 70 Denier, Brown – Abdomen / Veevus 14/0, Rust – Thorax forward

TAIL: Coq De Leon fibers, Dun – Set with Zap-A-Gap

ABDOMEN: Rusty Quill Body – Set with Zap-A-Gap

THORAX: Micro Fine Dubbing, Rusty Spinner

SPOT: Razor Foam, Opaque Pink

WING: Polypro Yarn, White

OVER WING: Micro Flash, Light Blue Dun, Pearl – 6 strands

Something that these tired old eyes can see as darkness approaches in not so slick water…see spinner pattern below for additional comment…

 

Materials SPOT N’ SPARKLE SPINNER – FLAV…

CDC RUSTY SPINNER FLAV – René Harrop/Variant…

HOOK: Daiichi 1110, #12 – #16

THREAD: UTC 70 Denier, Brown – Abdomen / Veevus 16/0, Brown – Thorax forward

TAIL: Split fibbetts, Dun – set with Zap-A-Gap

ABDOMEN: Red Quill Goose Biot – set with Zap-A-Gap

THORAX: Micro Fine Dubbing, Rusty Spinner

SPENT WINGS: Posted, then split, CDC White (2 feathers) – topped with Z-Lon, Kinky Light Dun

Most Flav spinner falls will appear on smooth water…at twilight…take a flashlight (Surefire) with you to find the way back…

 

Materials CDC RUSTY SPINNER – FLAV…* The thorax dubbing is Micro Fine Rusty Spinner (not pictured)…

FLAV SPINNERs – CDC RUSTY, #12 & SPOT N’ SPARKLE , #14…

BURST WC CRIPPLE/EMERGER FLAV…

HOOK: TMC 102Y, #11 – #15

THREAD: UTC 70 Denier Yellow/Olive – Abdomen / Tiemco 16/0, Olive – Thorax forward

SHUCK: Three Ostrich Hel ends, Olive

ABDOMEN: Chartreuse Micro Tubing

BURST WING: Z-Lon, Light Kinky Dun

THORAX: Senyo’s Laser Dub, Olive

WINGCASE: Medallion Sheeting, Brown – * Optional, coat with UV Resin

LEGS: Dyed Olive Partridge, V-notched

This is an experimental pattern that I will put in Michael’s hands, to try out on the Truckee River, when he is up there the first week in August…report to follow in this space…

Materials BURST WC CRIPPLE/EMERGER FLAV… BURST WC CRIPPLE/EMERGER FLAVs…

Something new, Telstrike indicators, to try out… UNUSUAL USUAL FLAV EMERGER – Howard Cole…

HOOK: Daiichi 1190, #12 – #16, TMC 100BL, #12 -#16

THREAD:Tiemco 16/0, Olive – Abdomen / Veevus 16/0, Olive Dun – Thorax forward

TAIL/SHUCK: Lemon Woodduck over Amber Z-Lon

ABDOMEN: Pale Olive Turkey Biot, fringed

THORAX: Fly-Rite Natural Dubbing, Olive

WING: Snowshoe Rabbit, Medium Dun

HACKLE: Grizzly Olive

A Howard Cole design that may be v-notched  or trimmed flat across the bottom, to ride lower in the surface film. I always have a set of scissors in my vest to do additional tinkering with patterns that I carry…

Don’t leave home without them…

Materials UNUSUAL USUAL FLAV EMERGER… UNUSUAL USUAL FLAV EMERGERs… POSTED SPENTWING FLAV EMERGER (Snowshoe Hare’s Foot) -Schollmeyer/Variant

HOOK: Daiichi 1110, #12 – #16

THREAD: Veevus 16/0, Olive Dun

SHUCK: Snowshoe Rabbit, Brown

RIB: 1-2 Strands Persall’s Marabou Silk Floss

BODY: Micro Fine Dub, BWO, Olive

WING: Snowshoe Hare, Light Dun – posted, then split and pulled down to create a fan wing

This is a simple Jim Schollmeyer dun pattern for Flavs. He uses a lot of Snowshoe Hare patterns that are fairly easy to tie and they work. The best Snowshoe Hare that I have found comes from the White Fox Fur & Feather Co. One may call them direct to get their excellent products. Schollmeyer cuts the fur off the foot, cleans it, then splits the bunch, takes the two portions and aligns them and rolls then between his fingers. The fur is then tied in, on a horizontal plane on top of the hook shank. Figure eight wrap, then pull the wing up and take wraps of thread around the base of the fur to post it. Trim the top to the approximate length of the hook shank and tug each portion downward to fan the wing. There is no bump of hair behind the wing to worry about…nice !

Materials POSTED SPENTWING FLAV EMERGER (Snowshoe Hare’s Foot) … Top view showing split, posting and fan of snowshoe hare wing… POSTED SPENTWING FLAV EMERGERs… ID SH FLAV …

HOOK: Daiichi 1560. #12 – #16 or, when they finally become generally available, TMC 113BLH, #12 – #16

THREAD: UTC 70 Denier, Yellow/Olive – Abdomen / Veevus 16/0, Olive – Thorax forward

TAIL: Natural Partridge fibers, Brown

RIB: UTC Flat Gold Tinsel, SM or UTC Hot Yellow Wire, #14- #16

ABDOMEN: Ice Dub, UV Light Olive

THORAX: Ice Dub, Olive

HACKLE: Partridge Natural, Brown feather

BEAD: Killer Caddis, Chartreuse, behind hackle

A generic Soft Hackle that may be fished dead drift or swung, with weight on the leader or on a greased line in the surface film. Try it as a dropper behind a larger Flav Dry pattern…

Materials ID SH FLAV… ID SH FLAVs… Yep…there are Flavs, up this high, in the Eastern Sierras – PHOTO MONO COUNTY TOURISM… BOOTY’S FLAV EMERGER – B. Allen/Variant …

HOOK: Daiichi 1110 #12 – #16

THREAD: Tiemco 16/0, Olive

TAIL: Dyed Deer Hair, Olive –*optional, over Brown/Olive Sparkle Emerger Yarn

RIB: 1-2 Strands Persall’s Marabou Silk Floss

ABDOMEN: Nature’s Spirit .6 Pale Olive Dubbing

OVER THORAX: Razor Foam Translucent Olive

WING: Puglisi Trigger Point Int’l fibers, BWO

HACKLE: Dun Saddle

This is a Boots Allen pattern that floats like a cork with the inclusion of Razor Foam in the thorax section. He ties a number of May Fly patterns using this technique, but ya’ got to do some serious looking to find them…

Materials BOOTY’S FLAV EMERGER… BOOTY’S FLAV EMERGERS… CAPTIVE DUN Flav – Harrop/Variant …

HOOK: TMC 100BL, #12 – #16

THREAD: UTC 70 Denier, Yellow/Olive – Under abdomen / Veevus 16/0, Olive -Thorax forward

TAIL/SHUCK: Lemon Woodduck over Olive/Brown Sparkle Emerger Yarn

ABDOMEN: Turkey Biot, Caddis Green

THORAX: Micro Fine Dubbing, BWO, Olive

WING/LEGS: Looped Premium CDC, Medium Dun – excess pulled back, tied down then clipped for legs. Use plenty of CDC feathers (4-6)

A Rene’ Harrop pattern that was developed to match Flavs captive in the surface film. His CDC, from the TroutHunter Shop, is some of the best available here in the U.S. He uses a lot of CDC in his patterns. If one is having problems using CDC because of slime, try this trick...

Materials CAPTIVE DUN Flav… CAPTIVE DUNs Flav… FLAV CRIPPLE TP/UV2 -Matthews/Variant …

HOOK: Daiichi 1110, #12 – #16

THREAD: Veevus 16/0, Olive

SHUCK: Z-Lon, kinky, Tan-ish/Brown

ABDOMEN: UV2 Fine & Dry, BWO

RIB: Cascade Crest Glimmer thread, Red

THORAX: Snowshoe Rabbit foot dubbing, 4. Olive – Nature’s Spirit 70% / UV2 Fine & Dry BWO 30%

WING: Puglisi Trigger Point Int’l fibers, Black

HACHLE: Dun Saddle

This is a variation of a Craig Matthew’s pattern with a red rib and black wing. A black wing will stand out and be more visible in “greasy” sunlight or when there is cloud cover and rain. Emergers & Cripples are probably the two most effective patterns for fishing over a Flav hatch…

Materials FLAV CRIPPLE TP/UV2… FLAV CRIPPLEs TP/UV2…

COMPARADUN FLAV – Jacklin/Haugh Variant …

HOOK: TMC 100BL, TMC 900BL, Daiichi 1110 #12- #16

THREAD: Veevus 16/0, Olive

TAIL: Stiff Dun fibers

RIB: 1-2 strands of DMC Embroidery Floss, Yellow

ABDOMEN: Fly-Rite, #.3 Dark Olive

WING: Comparadun Deer

HACKLE: Dun Saddle – trim across bottom

This is a pattern designed and used by Yellowstone Fly Shop owner, Bob Jacklin by way of tier Byron Haugh. It is an excellent imitation of the Flavs that appear on waters in the YNP area. These May Flies hatch bright green and immediately, their bodies and wings start to darken, once exposed to air.

Materials COMPARA DUN FLAV… COMPARA DUN FLAVs…  BAT WING FLAV -Petersen/Variant …

HOOK: Daiichi 1130, #12 – #16

THREAD: Tiemco 16/0, Olive

TAIL: Natural Hen Neck Feather fibers

UNDER ABDOMEN: Cascade Crest Micro Floss, Olive

ABDOMEN: Nature’s Spirit Goose Biot, 6. Pale Olive

WING: Fluff at the base of a Dun Hen neck feather

THORAX: Nature’s Spirit Snowshoe Hare Dubbing, 4. Olive

BEAD: Killer Caddis, Lt. Olive, SM

Tracy Petersen’s Bat Wing is one of the best emerger patterns I have ever put in the water. I fish these from the bottom to the top of the water column, with weight or as a dropper. I believe that many  times, Trout take this pattern as an merger that has drowned. In any case, I don’t do a series of a particular may fly without including it…

Materials BAT WING FLAV… BAT WING FLAVs… WING of BAT WING… KORN’S TNT GREEN DRAKE NYMPH (Flav version) – Doug Korn/Variant …

HOOK: Daiichi 1560, #12 – #14

THREAD:Tiemco 16/0, Olive

TAIL: Mottled Oak Turkey Quill fibers

RIB: UTC wire, Hot Yellow, SM

ABDOMEN: 50/50 Mix – DW’s SLF Dubbing, Scud Shrimp Olive / Nature’s Spirit Emergence Dubbing 4. Olive

HACKLE: Natural Pheasant Tail “Philo Feather”, from base of the clump

BEAD: Killer Caddis, Light Olive, SM

Doug Korn knows his Greed Drakes…this is a scaled down version of his Drunella grandis nymph (the big guy) to match the smaller Flav. I would toss this pattern into the drift and swing it into the shallows just about anywhere. That “Philo Fearther”(aftershaft feather) is one of the most underutilized feathers on a Pheasant…see Jack Gartside…

Materials KORN’S TNT GREEN DRAKE NYMPH (Flav version)… KORN’S TNT GREEN DRAKE NYMPHs (Flav version)… ST HARE’S ICE NYMPH- (Flav) – Schollmeyer-Leeson/Variant…

HOOK: Daiichi 1560, #12 – #16

THREAD: Veevus 16/0,Olive – Abdomen / Veevus 16/0, Brown – Thorax forward

WEIGHT: .010 Lead

TAIL: Fox Squirrel Tail

ABDOMEN: 75/15/10 Mix – Hare’s Ice Dub – 1. Peacock, 2. Olive Brown, 3. Hare’s Ear

RIB: UTC Flat God Tinsel or UTC Hot Yellow SM wire on #16

THORAX: Hare’s Ice Dub, Brown

LEGS: Natural Partridge – Brown

WINGCASE: McFlyLon, Black

This may be fished either deep or higher in the water column, just prior to emergence. Twist-ons for deep nymphing and grease the leader and dab some Frog’s Fanny on it, for just below the surface… or use it as a dropper off a larger Flav Dry pattern. Flavs move towards less boisterous water when hatching (and McFlyLon floats fairly well)… This is one of Schollmeyer and Leeson’s standard nymph pattern’s I added some zip to…

Materials ST HARE’S ICE NYMPH- (Flav)… ST HARE’S ICE NYMPHs- (Flavs)… Michael looking around, on a high elevation river on the North side of YNP, for Df or it’s cousin Dc… CW’s FOAM GREEN DRAKE EMERGER (FLAV) – Williams/Variant …

HOOK: TMC 2488, #10 – #12…

THREAD: Veevus 16/0, Olive – Abdomen  /Tiemco 16/0, Dark Brown – Thorax forward

SHUCK: Z-Lon, Olive Brown

ABDOMEN: Premo Goose Biot, BWO

RIB: Ice Thread, Yellow

THORAX: 50/50 Mix- Uv2 Fine & Dry, BWO / Nature’s Spirit Emergence Dubbing .3 BWO

WING: Marc Petitjean CDC, #.1 Blue Dun

HACKLE: Furnace

WINGCASE: Razor Foam, Translucent Black – tie in foam and split at rear with an X-acto knife, tie in wing, dub thorax, hackle over thorax, trim hackle at the top ,pull split foam over the thorax, catching CDC in between and tie down…

This is an interesting design from Chris Williams, who is a tier and Elementary School teacher from Boise, ID. He’s one of those guys that one has to look around for. His patterns have impressed a lot of folks in ID, WY and MT waters…do a search !

Materials CW’s FOAM GREEN DRAKE EMERGER (FLAV)… CW’s FOAM GREEN DRAKE EMERGERs (FLAVs)… UV2 TRIGGER POINT HAIRWING DUN (Flav) – Harrop/Variant…

HOOK:TMC 103BL, #11- #15

THREAD:Veevus 16/0, Olive

TAIL: Dyed Grizzly Blue Dun fibers

ABDOMEN: UV2 Fine & Dry, BWO

UNDERWING: Puglisi Trigger Point Int’l. fibers, BWO

WING: Dun dyed Yearling Elk

HACKLE: Dyed Grizzly Blue Dun

This is Harrop’s classic pattern, which may be used as a template for any number of May Fly Emergers. Flavs,when emerging, will generally migrate to softer flows they are not great swimmers and will pulse up and down in the water column before popping just under the surface film or in it…

Materials UV2 TRIGGER POINT HAIRWING DUN (Flav)…  UV2 TRIGGER POINT HAIRWING DUNS (Flav)… SNOWSHOE EMERGER – FLAV – Schollmeyer & Leeson/Variant – TMC 206 BL, #12 – #14…

Materials SNOWSHOE EMERGER – (Flav)… SNOWSHOE EMERGERS – (Flavs)…

HOOK: TMC 206BL, #12  #14

THREAD: Veevus 16/0, Olive Dun

SHUCK: Amber Z-Lon

RIB: Datum Glo-Brite #189, Fl.Hot Yellow

ABDOMEN: 75/25 Mix Fly-Rite #3 Dark Olive / Nature’s Spirit .3 BWO Emergence Dub

THORAX: Spirit River UV2 Natural Peacock Eye, (3-4), Twisted on thread

WING: Snowshoe Rabbit, Light Dun

Fish Flav Emergers the same as one would fish a PMD or BWO Emerger. Light tackle, 4x-6x tippet, reach cast and downstream wiggle. In typical freestone headwaters with benches, makes short casts, keep the line off the water and don’t let this fly drag. Hold the rod tip high, as in high stick nymphing…it’s fast and furious fishing…the water below is typical and fortunately there isn’t a lot over overhanging vegetation…when something large comes off the bottom and whacks this guy, it will be worth it…

Yep…those guys are in here…PHOTO – Mono County Tourism CHUCKY SURFACE SH (Flav) …

HOOK: Daiichi 1560, #12 – #16

THREAD:Veevus 16/0, Olive Dun -Abdome / Tiemco 16/0, Olive – Thorax forward

TAIL: 4-8 Wood chuck fibers

RIB: Micro Tubing, Red

ABDOMEN: 75/25 Mix – Stalcup’s Micro Fine BWO, Gray/Olive / Ligas #48 E. Nymph

THORAX: Spirit River UV2 Peacock Eye, Brown

HACKLE: Partridge, Natural- Brown

Materials CHUCKY SURFACE SH (Flav)… CHUCKY SURFACE SOFT HACKLES (Flav)…

This soft hackle patter is meant to be fished just under the surface film, either dead drift or swung. Grease thy line so it hangs high in the water column or use it as a dropper behind a larger dry Flav. There are times when a red ribbed Flav pattern will out perform the more traditional yellow ribbed pattern…don’t ask me… why?

Michael & Aimee at 32,000′ over Virginia Lakes in the Eastern Sierras, while on their way to San Francisco from N.Y.C. – yesterday, 4.30.2015. They waved at the Flavs for me… THUMPER NYMPH (Flav) …

HOOK: TMC 5262, #12 – #16

THREAD: Veevus 16/0, Olive – Abdomen / Tiemco 16/0, Brown, Thorax forward

WEIGHT: .010 Lead Wire

TAIL: Spikey fur fibers from a Natural Hare’s Mask – (The fur located between the eyes)

ABDOMEN/THORAX/COLLAR: 75/15/10 Mix – Buggy Nymph, Olive – Natural Dark Hare’s Ear #.2 – Buggy Nymph, Lava Brown

GILLS: Ostrich Herl, Natural Gray – one strand each side, pulled forward

RIB: Gudebrod 10/0 Clear Thread or 5x Mono

UNDER WINGCASE: Razor Foam, Translucent Dun

LEGS: Partridge, Natural Brown, V-Notched

BEAD: Plummeting Tungsten, Brown, sized to hook

THUMPER NYMPH (Flav)…TOP… THUMPER NYMPH (Flav)…BOTTOM…

Materials THUMPER NYMPH (Flav)… THUMPER NYMPHS (Flavs)…

Keep in mind that Flavs are crawler nymphs. Their availability is moderate. Fish these guys most often on a dead drift, “in glides and slicks between the brief riffles and drops of high gradient streams” (Hafele & Hughes). Keep them inches off the bottom across the breadth of the water column…

The THUMPERS, getting their sugar fixes… MOLYBDENITE NYMPH (Flav)…

HOOK: Daiichi 1560, #12- #16

THREAD: Tiemco 16/0, Olive

WEIGHT: .010 Lead

TAIL: Spikey fibers from a Natural Hare’s Mask – (The fur located between the eyes)

ABDOMEN: 4-6 Select Marabou fibers, twisted together – half each, Shad Gray and Light Olive

RIB: Micro tubing, Olive

THORAX: 75%/25% Mix – SLF Spikey Squirrel, Olive and Natural Muskrat

WINGCASE: Scud Back 1/8″, Black

LEGS: Partridge, Natural Brown

Materials MOLYBDENITE NYMPH (Flav)… MOLYBDENITE NYMPHS…

These are the Flavs I came across on Molybdenite Creek, in Mono County, many years ago. The gray-ish cast comes from the granite rock that characterizes the stream bottoms on the majority of freestones waters flowing off the Eastern Slope of the Sierras. I have also seen this with other members of the Drunella family and in particular, the  Green Drakes that hatch on the Frying Pan River in CO – they have a pink-ish cast. Shane Stalcup designed a specific pattern for this hatch…Try to be observant and match the color and size of the Flavs that might be present in a particular location. Collecting samples and photographing them, on the spot, will greatly enhance one’s knowledge and tying…

Next…a few Sierra, high elevation lake patterns, for MOO…

PT/TB

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SMALL FACES…Midges – Fall/Winter ’14…CONCLUDED…

Finally, next to the last day of the year. This group includes Larvae, Pupa, Emergers and Adults. Several are being tied for Michael to toss in some water back East. He’s  gone on a dry fly bender, so a couple of these will meet his needs for catching some sippers and slurpers while his fingers freeze…I had an inquiry from a reader beyond the U.S. about where to find a substitute for the Iridescent Peacock colors from Spirit River in Europe. There ain’t none. I am not aware of anything (including the “other colored peacock” from a U.S. source) that even comes close to the quality of the SR material I use in many of my fly patterns…If ya’ want the real deal, SPIRIT RIVER  will ship it to ya’ !… a tying friend of mine received it in Serbia…

Completed MIDGE BOX….

Miles says,  “That’s Just The Way It Is !”

TUNG. YQM MIDGE…

HOOK: Daiichi 1250, #18 – Gamakatsu 13U, #20

THREAD: Tiemco 16/0, Black

SHUCK: UV Gray Krystal Flash

ABDOMEN: Synthetic Quill Body Wrap, Adams Gray – Hareline  – * Coat with Hard As Hull for durability before and after wrapping

WING: CDC Puffs, White…more than one maybe needed

THORAX: Iridescent Peacock, Black – Spirit River

BEAD: Black Tungsten, sized to hook

YQM stands for…Yer’ Quillin’ ME…

Materials TUNG. YQM MIDGE…

TUNG. YQM MIDGES…

OLIVE QUILL MIDGE – Ritt/Variant ..

HOOK: TMC 103BL, #19 – #21

THREAD: Tiemco 16/0, Olive

ABDOMEN: Baetis Olive, D’s Flyes, Quill – (* Soak in H2O, wrap, then coat wit Hard As Hull) or use McLean’s Quill Bodies

WING: Sparkle Organza, White

WING CASE/ FORWARD POST: Hi-Vis, Yellow

HACKLE: Olive Grizzly, v-notched

This is an Al Ritt pattern with which, I used a different quill and indicator yarn for the wing case and post (I generally see yellow better). It is an easy tie and may be done in a range of colors for dry fly fanatics like my son…(sigh…)

Materials OLIVE QUILL MIDGE…

OLIVE QUILL MIDGES…

Good place for Midges and Midge clusters……in the back eddy on the left…Lower Owens River…

UV CHOCOLATE MIDGLING – Mercer/Variant …

HOOK: Daiichi 1130, #18 – #22

THREAD: Under Abdomen – Tiemco 16/0, White / Thorax Forward – Tiemco 16/0, Dark Brown

SHUCK: AZ Diamond Hair, #.7, Lt. Purple

OVER ABDOMEN:  Pearl Krystal Flash then Micro Tubing, Brown

RIB: Lagartun, x-fine, Silver Wire

THORAX: Iridescent Peacock, Black – Spirit River

WING(s): Looped UV Pearl Krystal Flash

BEAD: Silver Tungsten, sized to hook

Mike Mercer came up with this California variant on the Zebra Midge and his pattern works very well here and in most other places too. The original may be viewed on Steve Schalla’s Site (scroll down). I wanted some in Chocolate for the Lower Owens River…

Materials UV CHOCOLATE MIDGLING…

UV CHOCOLATE MIDGLINGS…

OPAL SUSPENDER MIDGE EMERGER – Cannon/Matthews Variant …

HOOK: Daiichi 1167, #20 or TMC 2488, #18 – #22

THREAD: Tiemco 16/0, Black

SHUCK: AZ Simi Seal, #.34, Crayfish Orange

ABDOMEN; Micro Opal Flashabou, 1/100″ – * Coat thread with HAH or SHAN, ten wrap Opal Flashabou

RIB: Black,x-sm UTC Wire – * Coat again with HAH orSHAN for durability

UPRIGHT WING: Snowshoe Hare White and Black mixed

THORAX: Stalcup’s Micro Fine Dub., Black

A Jim Cannon pattern with a hint of Craig Matthews (with the Opal Abdomen)…the original is HERE … another basic Midge Emerger that may be tied in a number of colors with a wing that will keep the pattern in the meniscus… like a cork

Same pattern…Wing Schollmeyer style…

Materials OPAL SUSPENDER MIDGE EMERGER…

OPAL SUSPENDER MIDGE EMERGERS…

(DIRTY) SPIDER MIDGE (Olive) – Matthews/Variant…

HOOK: Daiichi 1250, #18, TMC 206BL, #20, Gamakatsu 13U, #20

THREAD: Abdomen – Gordon Griffith 14/0 Sheer, Olive / Thorax forward – Tiemco 16/0, Black

ABDOMEN: Gordon Griffith 14/0 Sheer, Olive

RIB: Lagartun, x-fine, Copper Wire – * Coat with HAH or SHAN for durability

THORAX: Fly-Rite, x-fine Poly, #.10, Brown/Olive

WING CASE/ WING: MP Select CDC, Dirty Yellow

HACKLE: Olive Grizzly

Delicious !!!…another winner from Craig Matthews … a good flat water pattern for below…not the choppy stuff in the center …when Michael wants to work the surface…and maybe the “old guy” when hen sees Michael nailing ’em…

There might be some Olive Midges in this water…maybe…

Materials (DIRTY) SPIDER MIDGE (Olive)…

(DIRTY) SPIDER MIDGES (Olive)…

RED MORSEL MIDGE …

HOOK: Daiichi 1153, #18, Gamakatsu C-12B, #18 – #20

THREAD: Under Abdomen, Tiemco 16/0, White / Thorax Forward – Tiemco 16/0, Black

ABDOMEN: DNA Holo Fusion – 8 strands Red / 1 Strand Flash – * Coat with HAH or SHAN

THORAX: Iridescent Peacock, Purple – Spirit River

Red is a Midge color that has worked for me at various times on the East Walker and other places when oxygen levels are fairly low, in the water. These two articles HERE and HERE explain why certain Midges are Red and when they should be considered for use…

Materials RED MORSEL MIDGE…

RED MORSEL MIDGES…

UV BLUE WISP SH MIDGE …

HOOK: Daiichi 1110 – #18 – #22

THREAD: Under abdomen – Tiemco 16/0, White / Thorax forward – Tiemco 16/0, Black

ABDOMEN: Krystal Flash UV Blue

RIB: Lagartun, x-fine, Silver Wire – * Coat with HAH or SHAN

THORAX: Hare’s Ear Ice Dub, Harder’s Bloody Black

HACKLE: Starling feather, Blue (dyed) – White Fox Fur & Feather Co. or HERE

Another small Midge pattern in Blue. Use any number of UV Krystal Flash colors over White thread to make these little guys with a dark-ish Thorax. Starling is a particularly good feather for soft hackling these small Midges and if ya’ have to ask “Why over white thread ?”…ya’ ain’t been reading the BLOG…

Materials UV BLUE WISP SH MIDGE…

UV BLUE WISP SH MIDGES…

MIDGES….coming along…slowly…

BP MIDGE LARVA (Brown)…

HOOK: Daiichi 1130, #18 – #22

THREAD: Tiemco 16/0, Olive – Abdomen / Tiemco 16/0, Black – Head

ABDOMEN: Working thread, Olive

RIB: Ice Thread, Yellow – * Coat with SHAN or HAH for durability

A very simple Midge pattern with a high contrast ribbing that hardly anyone uses…something different for the Lower Owens River where Brown Midges are prevalent throughout the year…

Materials BP MIDGE LARVA (Brown)…

BP MIDGES – Brown Larva…

STUCK SHUCK MIDGE – Luallen/Variant (Cream) …

HOOK: Daiichi 1130, #18 – #24

THREAD: Abdomen – Tiemco 16/0, White / Thorax forward – Tiemco 16/0, Dark Brown

SHUCK: Darlon, Amber

ABDOMEN: Working Tiemco 16/0, White Thread

RIB: Lagartun, x-fine, Copper Wire – * Coat with SHAN or HAH for durability

WING: MP Select CDC, Lt. Mallow

ABDOMEN: Beaver dubbing, Dark Tan

HACKLE: Ginger Grizzly, V-notched

This is a Wayne Luallen pattern I specifically tied for those occasions that Cream Adult Midges are in and on the surface of the East Walker River. There are major hatches of these Midges (in Cream) in late May and at other times during the year on this water. Most anglers that visit the EWR are not even aware of their importance much less have a single pattern in their boxes that imitates them…that’s OK with me…

There are prolific hatches of Cream Midges on the East Walker River…the adults are most readily seen at dawn and sunset…The MOO knows about them…

Materials STUCK SHUCK MIDGE…

STUCK SHUCK MIDGES…

GRAY XMAS MIDGE …

HOOK: Daiichi 1130, #18 – #22

THREAD: Under Abdomen – Tiemco 16/0, White / Thorax forward, Tiemco 16/0, Black

SHUCK: UV Pearl Krystal Flash

OVER ABDOMEN: DNA Holo Fusion, Gray – 8 strands Gray / 1 strand Flash

RIB: Red Ice Thread – * Coat with HAH or SHAN for durability

WING: Sparkle Organza, Dun

THORAX: Iridescent Peacock, Red – Spirit River

BEAD: Black Tungsten, sized to hook

Gray is a color that is often overlooked when it comes to  color for Midge patterns.The Trout don’t overlook them – when they are present…have some in yer’ box…

Materials GRAY XMAS MIDGE…

GRAY XMAS MIDGES…

Tying at Bob Marriott’s Fly Fishing Fair, November 22-23, 2014…

K-SS PT MIDGE EMERGER- (RED)…

HOOK: Daiichi 1167, #18 – #20

THREAD: Tiemco 16/0, Black

ABDOMEN: Red Pheasant Tail Fibers

RIB: Lagartun, x-fine, Silver Wire

WING CASE/WING: Snowshoe Rabbit, White or Cream

THORAX: Iridescent Peacock, Black – Spirit River

This is a suspender Midge pattern using the Daiichi “Klinkhammer Hook” that comes in black nickel or bronze. Do not be opposed to using Pheasant Tail fibers for patterns with abdomens that hang below the surface film. Once well soaked, they are very effective. I usually will cut Snow Shoe hair wings with scissors (like Jim Schollmeyer does) rather than lining up the tips…the Trout don’t care and it’s faster. One may substitute Poly Yarn,Puglisi Trigger Point Int’l Fibers, CDC , Foam or Electronic packaging for the Wing Case and Wing..all float better than deer hair…If desired, put a shuck on it…

Materials K-SS PT MIDGE EMERGER- (RED)…

K-SS PT MIDGES…

NANO DNA CB MIDGE …

HOOK: Daiichi 1250, #18 – Gamakatsu 13U, #20

THREAD: Nano Silk, White, 18/0

SHUCK: Crystal Mirror Flash, Pearl – Cascade Crest

ABDOMEN: DNA Holo Fusion, Blue – 8 strands Blue / 1 strand Flash

RIB: Lagartun, x-fine, Copper Wire – *Coat with HAH or SHAN for durability

WING(s): Grizzly Krystal Flash – Copper/Blue

THORAX: Ice Dub, UV Dun

BEAD: Copper Tungsten, sized to hook

I am using the White, Semperfli, Nano Silk in 18/0 as the base for this pattern. It is slippery as all get out so I use two half hitches to secure it to the hook when first wrapping it on the shank. For this pattern, it adds to the translucence of the abdomen and as a refltor for the UV Ice Dub in the Thorax. Blue is a color, in Midges and other patterns, that have taken good fish for me and the crew throughout the year, for Rainbows and Browns – not just in the Winter. Michael got the Brown below on a “Moo’s Blue Midge” on the East Walker River in September…

Michael’s Birthday Brown…East Walker River…as my friend, Jim Reid, who owns Ken’s Sporting Goods, in Bridgeport, CA, once said – “There are times when Browns ‘turn on’ to the color Blue.” Best to have some when THAT happens…

Materials NANO DNA CB MIDGE…

NANO DNA CB MIDGES…

MATT’S MIDGE PW – Matt Miles/Variant…

HOOK: Daiichi 1110, #18 – #24

THREAD: Tiemco 16/0, Black

ABDOMEN: Working thread

WING: Pearlescent White Nymph Shear – Cascade Crest

WING CASE/ FORWARD INDICATOR: Poly Yarn, Orange

HACKLE: Grizzly, V-notched a bottom for a lower profile, if desired

A Matt Miles pattern…he worked for Pat Dorsey in CO and may have fished a Midge or two while there. It is an excellent flat water pattern. There are many stretches of such water on both the Lower Owens and East Walker Rivers, where this pattern will take fish that are picking off adults, drifting in the current…

Materials MATT’S MIDGE PW...

A gathering of MATT’S MIDGES…

TAN DNA/ICE LARVA MIDGE …

HOOK: Daiichi 1130, #18 – #22

THREAD: Abdomen- Tiemco 16/0, White / Head-Tiempo 16/0, Black

OVER ABDOMEN: Tan DNA Holo Fusion – 8-10 strands solid color / 1 strand flash

RIB: Rusty Brown Ice Thread – * Coat with HAH or SHAN for durability

Just a simple little Tan Midge Larva that has flash , translucence and segmentation – that is fairly “tooth proof” when coated…I do these in a bunch of colors using DNA Holo Fusion. It is good stuff !

Materials TAN DNA/ICE LARVA MIDGE…

TAN DNA/ICE LARVA MIDGES…

The Lower Owens River at dawn…in the late Fall…

KIMBALL’S EMERGER TP MIDGE – Mike Kimball/Variant …

HOOK: TMC 2488, #20 – #28

THREAD:Tiemco 16/0, Black

SHUCK: Natural Teal Flank (Midges do not have tails!)

ABDOMEN: Working thread

THORAX: Stalcup’s Micro Fine Dub, Black or omit on smaller sizes

WING CASE: Puglisi Trigger Point Int’l fibers, Dun (use a dubbing needle to “hump” it and it will trap air beneath and it will           float mo’ better’)

HACKLE: Grizzly – notched at bottom

This along with Matt’s Midge (above),  “V-Midge”  are three excellent dry patterns to use when the tiny guys are drying their wings before becoming airborne and yes, I will use them from time to time…Michael, now an expatriate to the East, uses dry patterns of all types more frequently than I do…

Materials KIMBALL’S EMERGER TP MIDGE…

KIMBALL’S EMERGER TP MIDGES…

UV PURPLE CHASER MIDGE…

HOOK:  Daiichi 1250, #18, Gamakatsu 13U, #20

THREAD: Tiemco 16/0, Black

UNDER ABDOMEN: Krystal Flash UV Purple

SHUCK: Tag end of the above UV Purple Krystal Flash

OVER ABDOMEN: Micro Tubing Purple

THORAX: Hare’s Ear Ice Dub, Harder’s Bloody Black

BEAD: Killer Caddis Diamond Bead, x-sm

*NOTE: On this pattern, tie the UV Purple KF and Micro Tubing on behind the bead, wrap the KF around the hook to the bend first, hold it in the material clip on the vise and then wrap the Micro Tubing back to the bend, then forward, decreasing the tension as ya’ wrap forward…tie off at the thorax…

One may also use a TMC 200r or Daiichi 1270 for this guy but I prefer the hook gape and shape on the Keel  hooks listed with the pattern. Any combo of KF and Micro Tubing may be conjured up for this fly…go for it !

Materials UV PURPLE CHASER MIDGE…

UV PURPLE CHASER MIDGES…

OWENS VALLEY in Winter….

DIS’-GO UV MIDGE (Gray) …

HOOK: Daiichi 1130, #18 – #22

THREAD: Under abdomen – Tiemco 16/0, White / Thorax forward – Tiemco 16/0, Black

RIB: UTC Wire, Gun Metal Blue, x-sm

OVER ABDOMEN: UV Gray Krystal Flash – * Coat with HAH or SHAN for durability

THORAX: Iridescent Peacock, Kingfisher Blue – Spirit River

These may be tied using any of the UV colored Krystal Flash products. Use WHITE THREAD beneath the flash…hit it with yer’ UV Torch after completion and watch it light up…reflectivity is the purpose for using that combination and for me, it works…

Materials DIS’-GO UV MIDGE (Gray)…

DIS’-GO UV MIDGES…

TUNGSTEN OPAL FLASHBACK BLACK BEAUTY – Dorsey/Variant…

HOOK: Daiichi 1130 -TMC 2487, #18 – #22

THREAD: Tiemco 16/0, Black

RIB: Lagartun, X-fine, Copper Wire

FLASHBACK: Flasabou, Opal, 1/100″ – *Coat with Hard As Hull or SHAN for durability

THORAX: Iridescent Black Peacock – Spirit River

BEAD: Black Tungsten, sized to hook

A variation on Pat Dorsey’s pattern which may be tied in a number of colors. This uses Opal instead of Pearl for the Flashback…It is a good deep water pattern…One may also use Ostrich Herl for the thorax but I am a big fan of the Iridescent Peacock colors from Spirit River…

Materials TUNGSTEN OPAL FLASHBACK BLACK BEAUTY...

TUNGSTEN OPAL FLASHBACK BLACK BEAUTIES…

 

MORE MIDGE PATTERNS – scroll down

 

Next: Some patterns for Michael…

 

PT/TB

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SOME STONES…(Done done)

 

This little creek which is called a RIVER ,  in the Southern Sierras, holds a good population of stone flies. On this particular visit, Michael was workin’ the locals over with dries while I tossed small stone fly nymph patterns into the deeper drops that can be seen at Michael’s feet. I took some of the larger residents… on those patterns…

Michael…somewhere in the Southern Sierras…on a small river that is full of stone flies…

What follows is a series of fairly easy to tie Stones that inhabit Western waters we visit…These bugs require clean, oxygenated unpolluted water!!! Please note that I have updated the links (in bold type) to some of the Fly Tying companies whose products I use…they will be updated on my front page under catalogs…eh…soon…

 

STONE BOX completed…

THE PICKLE – Pat Dorsey …

Materials for THE PICKLE…

HOOK:  Daiichi 2220, #6 – #12

THREAD: Veevus 16/0, Brown

WEIGHT: .020-.025 Lead or Lead Sub.

LEGS: Black/Brown – Cascade Crest

BODY: Variegated Chenille, Medium, Lt.Olive/Rust – Wapsi

This has been around for awhile…good to have when Golden Stones are about (and they generally are in a range of sizes) in the waters me and my guys fish. Charlie Craven ties it HERE…

Some PICKLES…ready to be eaten…

Yoraperla nigrisoma (Roach Fly) …

Materials YOPERLA nigrisoma (Roach Fly)…

…and NO, they won’t be found in most backyards…they are however,found ( so far ) in two additional states, that are not colored…

HOOK: TMC 2302, #10 – #12

THREAD: Veevus 16/0, Brown

WEIGHT: .010 Lead Wire

TAIL(s): Goose Biots, Sulphur Orange

RIB: Micro Tubing, Brown

BODY: AZ Simi Seal #.34 Canadian Orange

WINGCASE9s): Medallion Sheeting, Mottled Brown

LEGS: Speckled Hen Back, Yellow

ANTENNAE: Goose Biots, Sulphur Orange

BEAD: Brass or Copper Tungsten, sized to hook

Yup…they are up there on the East Side and while most fishermen don’t know about them, the Trout do…plan accordingly…

YOPERLA nirisoma (Roach Fly) herd…

Sweltsa borealis …

Materials for Sweltsa borealis…

HOOK: Daiichi 1260, #14 – #16

THREAD: Lagartun 74 Denier, Amber

WEIGHT: .010 Lead Wire

TAIL(s): Goose Biot, Tan

BODY: Emergence Dubbing, #.70, Amber – Nature’s Spirit

RIB: Ultra Wire, SM, Amber

BACK: Scud Back, 1/8″, Tan

LEGS: Speckled Hen Saddle Feather, Amber, * tied convex side up and pulled over… like a Bat Wing Baetis

WINGCASE(s): Scud Back, 1/8″, Tan –  * whip finish and coat the entire top of fly with UV resin

 

Yeah…I go for the obscure latin names…these guys are found in a number of places here in the WEST. They are certainly in the Sierras and Ally ain’t waitin’ in vain below…

A few Sweltsa borealis nymphs…

Ally, waiting for those little guys to move into the shallows, on a late June evening, in the Madison channels…

UGLY BUG – Variegated (Black/Olive) …

Materials for the UGKY BUG – Variegated (Black/Olive)…

HOOK:  Daiichi 2220, #6 – #10

THREAD: Veevus 16/0, Black

WEIGHT: .015 -.025 Lead or Lead Sub.

BODY: Variegated Chenille, Medium, Black/Olive – Wapsi

LEGS: Medium, Olive/Black – Cascade Crest

 

This pattern goes by a number of different names and they may be tied in various colors,some imitative and some, like this, as more of an attractor. Just depends on what Mr. Trout is up for on any given occasion…

Some UGLY BUGS…

Some UGLY BUG water…Below Varney Bridge, on the Madison River…

PAT’S RL ( Brown/Amber)…Pat Dorsey …

Materials PAT’S RL  (Brown/Amber)…

HOOK:  TMC 5262, 5263 – #6 – #12

THREAD: Veevus 16/0, Brown

WEIGHT: .015 Lead or Lead sub.

BODY: Medium or Fine Dark Brown Chenille

LEGS: Super Floss, Amber – Larva Lace

This is a simple and effective tie that can be done in a number of sizes and colors to match a wide variety of Stone Flies. They are very useful in pocket and turbulent water where the Trout have to make a quick decision on food items…

PAT’S RL (s)…

Another STONE FLY factory in the Eastern Sierras…which takes a 4X4 to get into…

Some Stone Flies identified during a stream survey, in a watershed, not too far away from the above location…

TIM’S LITTLE BLACK STONE – Matthews/Variant …

Materials TIM’S LITTLE BLACK STONE…

HOOK:  TMC 2302, 5212 – #14 – #16

THREAD: Abdomen – Veevus 16/0, Black – Thorax forward – Tiemco 16/0, Black

WEIGHT: .010 lead wire

TAIL(s): Goose Biots, Black

RIB: Ultra Wire, SM, Hot Orange or Red

BODY: AZ Simi Seal, Black/Red … * taper with scissors

HACKLE: English Grouse

BEAD: Brass or Tungsten – sized to hook

Small black stoneflies represent many different orders of Plecoptera…they are good to have in a selection of sizes and configurations. This particular pattern is a recent addition done by Craig Matthews of Blue Ribbon Flies and as with most of the patterns he does, it is simple and very effective. It may be used ALL YEAR LONG… some the larger orders of stone flies take up to three years to mature…so they start out small and become larger each season…

TIM’S LITTLE BLACK STONE(s)….

Michael, working a stone imitation, on the West Walker River…with a stick he needs to remove above his indicator…

NEMOURA STONE FLYMPH…

Materials NEMOURA STONE FLYMPH…

HOOK: TMC 5262, 2302 #10- #12

THREAD: Abdomen – Danville #47, Tobacco Brown, 6/0 – Thorax forward – Veevus 16/0, Brown

TAILS: Two short fibers, Iridescent Peacock, Brown – Spirit River

ABDOMEN: SLF Spikey Squirrel Dubbing,Brown

RIB: Olive/Brown Micro Tubing

WINGCASE(s): Bustard Thin Skin * coat with UV resin prior to adding hackle

HACKLE: Speckled Hen Saddle, Amber

That little Brown Stonefly  (NEMOURA) found in the Eastern Sierras, is this guy. It is also found in other areas, primarily throughout the U.S. and Europe in various shadings…this is a good imitation to work along banks when they are preparing to exit the water and their nymphal form, to hatch in the stream side rocks and vegetation…

NEMOURA STONE FLYMPHS – #10 & #12…

HOLO SALLY UV2 …

Materials HOLO SALLY UV2…

HOOK:  Daiichi 1260, #14 – #16

THREAD: Tiemco 16/0, Light Cahill

WEIGHT: .010 lead wire

TAIL: Goose Biots, Tan

UNDER BODY: Veevus Holographic Tinsel, Small, Yellow

OVER BODY: D-Rib, Medium, Yellow

BACK: Amber Zelon

RIB: Ice Thread, Rusty Brown

THORAX: UV2 Fine & Dry, PMD

WINGCASE: Mottled Brown, Thin Skin – * coat with UV resin

ANTENNAE: Goose Biots, Tan

BEAD: Tungsten, Copper or Gold, sized to hook

The Little Yellow Sally is present throughout the West. I have seen some great hatches of this small stonefly, in the evening, on the Madison River, below Ennis Lake, in Beartrap Canyon. They also available to Trout in most watersheds in the Eastern Sierras (HERE) . It is a must carry stonefly imitation both in the nymphal and adult form…

Ally, down in Beartrap Canyon on the Madison river…and there is a reason they call it BEARTRAP!!!

HOLO SALLY(s) UV2…

 

NEXT: Finally getting around to SBSing these updated versions of GLF’s SPARKLE PUPA   done by Eric Slagle ,in Fly Tyer Magazine, Spring 2006…

In use… on the East Walker River …

Affirmed…the addiction is a genetic thing…

 

PT/TB

 

 

 

 

 

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FALL BAETIS/BWO’s 2013…(completed)

That time of year again and I always tie up a bunch of these bugs for the Fall and Early Winter season. Most patterns are primarily in Brown, Tan, and Black – nymph, emerger, cripple and  a dun and spinner pattern, with a couple of traditional Olives tossed in. I tie more Baetis/BWO’s than any other May Fly patterns. In their book “Western Mayfly Hatches -From the Rockies to the Pacific”, Hafele and Hughes report that there are more than sixty (60) species of Baetidae occurring in the West…I have met a few…

FALL BAETIS/BWO’s 2013…

Fun Baetis/BWO Facts:

From Rick Hafele

From Ralph Cutter

KEEL KRYSTAL EMERGER BWO – Murphy/Variant …

HOOK:  Gamakatsu C13U, #18 – #20

THREAD: Tiemco 16/0, Charcoal Gray

SHUCK: Z-Lon, Kinky, Olive – sparse

ABDOMEN: Premo Goose Biot BWO – may be tied fringed or flat – both work * coat thread base with Hard As Hull before wrapping

RIB: Optional – Lagartun x-fine Gold or Copper wire

THORAX: Natural Gray Ostrich Herl

WING CASE/LEGS: Six strands of Black Krystal Flash pulled over thorax, split and tied back as legs

This is a Rick Murphy pattern that I tie in many different colors for Baetis. I am testing it out on this very thin Keel Hook. It is one of the best patterns I have used on the Lower Owens River for Emerging Baetis/BWO’s…

The Lower Owens River stretching back. in serpentine fashion, towards the White Mountains outside of Bishop, CA….

Materials KEEL KRYSTAL EMERGER BWO…

KEEL KRYSTAL EMERGERS BWO…

Where any of these BWO’s/BAETIS might be encountered – during any given year…

Lil’ LIGHT OLIVE DNA FLEXI BAETIS …

HOOK:  Daiichi 1130, #18 – #20

THREAD: Under Abdomen – Tiemco 16/0, White – Thorax forward – Tiemco 16/0, Olive

TAIL: Premium Partridge Fibers – Nature’s Spirit #6., Brown Olive

ABDOMEN: A few strands of Non flash DNA Holo Fusion, Olive – wrapped over white thread

THORAX: Iridescent Peacock Eye, Olive Dun – Spirit River

WING CASE: Flexi-Floss, Black

LEGS: V-notched Brown/Olive Partridge feather from center back of skin

A  small Olive with a not overly blinged black wing case…

Materials Lil’ LIGHT OLIVE DNA FLEXI BAETIS…

LIGHT OLIVE DNA FLEXI BAETIS…

DROWN BAETIS SPINNER – Rust – Schollmeyer/Variant…

HOOK:  TMC 101. #18 – #22

TAIL: Split Coq De Leon, Dun

THREAD: Lagartun 74 Denier, Rust – * Coat with Hard As Hull

WING9s): White Antron

OPTIONAL: Thorax – Rust Spinner dubbing #.10 – Nature’s Spirit – *treat with watershed to float in the surface film

A standard, drowned spinner pattern form Jim Schollmeyer…

DROWN BAETIS SPINNER(s) – Rust

Materials DROWN BAETIS SPINNER

FAST WATER EMERGER –  BAETIS – Nemec/Variant …

HOOK: TMC 200R, #18 – #20…this is a #20

THREAD: Tiemco 16/0, Olive

SHUCK: Dun Z-Lon

RIB: Midge Flash, Light Blue Dun

ABDOMEN: 2 Plume feathers each – Olive and Shad Gray Marabou – twisted and wrapped forward…

POST: White, 1/16′ Foam cylinder

HACKLE: Whiting Saddle, Dun

The BWO version designed by Reno, NV fly tier Jan Nemec…they work… nicely !!!

Materials FAST WATER EMERGER BAETIS…

FAST WATER EMERGERS – BAETIS…

The “old guy” in the Fall on the Lower Owens River…

DARK DNA WONDER BAETIS – Downey/Variant …

HOOK: -TMC 103BL, #19 – #21

THREAD: Tiemco 16/0, Black

TAIL: Coq De Leon, Dun

ABDOMEN: A few strands of Black DNA non-flash Holo Fusion

THORAX: Peacock Ice Dub

FLASH BACK: 1/64″ Strand of Holgraphic Mylar Motion, Black

WING: Dark Grizzyy Hen Neck – fluff from the base of the stem, tied in convex side up and pulled over thorax

A  Brad Downey pattern, similar to the Bat Wing Baetis without a bead…use as an emerger

Materials DARK DNA WONDER BAETIS…

DARK DNA WONDER BAETIS Batch…

BAETIS FOAM EMERGER (Brown/Olive) – Matthews/Variant …

HOOK:  TMC 100BL, #18 – #22

THREAD: Under Abdomen – Tiemco 16/0, White – Thorax Forward – Tiemco 16/0, Olive

SHUCK: Sparkle Emerger Yarn, Olive Brown

THORAX: #8. Brown Olive Dubbing – Nature’s Spirit

EMERGING WING: Looped Razor Foam, .5mm , Gray

HACKLE: Whiting Saddle, Dun – trimmed at bottom so fly rides flush in the surface film…

This is one of Craig Matthew’s patterns from Blue Ribbon Flies. I carry many of his BAETIS/BWO fly patterns – ’cause they work ! The video for this pattern may be found HERE…

Hand of Michael with a Brown-Olive Baetis on the East Walker River…

Materials BAETIS FOAM EMERGER (Brown/Olive) – Matthews/Variant…

BAETIS FOAM EMERGER(s) – Brown/Olive…

SILVER BAK BROWN BAETIS …

HOOK:  TMC 100SP BL, #18 – #20

THREAD: Tiemco 16/0 Dark Brown

TAIL: Coq De Leon, Dark Speckled

RIB: Ultra Wire, Red, X-sm

ABDOMEN: Pheasant Tail, Brown

THORAX: SLF Spikey Squirrel Dubbing, Dark Brown

WING CASE: Strand of Silver Fire Fly over Mottled Brown Thin Skin * coat with UV resin of choice

From time to time, I will use small PT nymphs with a silver wing case. This one is coated with UV Knotsense. I carry them because on those occasions, when they are working, the results can be spectacular…

Materials SILVER BAK BROWN BAETIS…

SILVER BAK BROWN BAETIS… #20’s…

The “young guy”, Michael on the Lower Owens – in Winter…

SNOW SHOE EMERGING DUN (Olive) – Shane Stalcup/ Variant…

HOOK:  TMC 101, #16 – #20

THREAD: Tiemco 16/0, Olive

SHUCK: Sparkle Emerger Yarn, Gray

ABDOMEN: Pheasant Tail, Olive

RIB: Midge Flash, Pearl

THORAX: Salcup’s Micro Fine Dubbing, BWO, Gray/Olive

LEGS: Gray Z-Lon (* not pictured in materials)

WING: Snowshoe Hare, Dun

This pattern is based on Shane Stalcup’s CDC Emerging Dun. The late tier use Goose biots for the abdomen and tied this pattern in Gray, Tan and Olive. His patterns are always included in my boxes because they are among the best I use. If further information about his patterns is desired. I highly recommend THIS BOOK

Materials SNOW SHOE EMERGING DUN (Olive)…

SNOW SHOE EMERGING DUNS (Olive)…

CRIPPLE THOR (BWO) – Hile/Variant…this is a #21…

HOOK:  TMC 103BL, #17 – #21

THREAD: Tiemco 16/0, Olive Thorax forward – Veevus 16/0, Olive Dun, Abdomen

TAIL: Coq De Leon, Light Speckled

RIB: Lagartun x-fine or fine Gold Wire

ABDOMEN: Veevus 16/0, Olive Dun tying thread

THORAX: Micro Fine BWO Dubbing

WING: Snowshoe Hare, Dark Dun – tied in, built up behind head, clipped and fanned to sides of hook

This pattern was featured in the Fall 2013 issue of Flyfishing & Tying Journal in an article by Jim Schollmeyer (ppgs.48-51)…it was originally tied using CDC for the wing and Woodduck barbs for the tail…I changed it because CDC is a bit fussy to use and time consuming to fish IMHO…

Materials CRIPPLE THOR (BWO)…

CRIPPLE THOR (BWO’s)…

BAETIS/BWO Boy on the East Walker River…

SAWYER PT – Lawton/Variant …

HOOK:  TMC 100SP BL, #16 – #20

RIBBING: Copper or Copper Brown UTC wire, sm or x-sm Copper or Red –  using #22 -#24 hooks. lock to hook when starting with a drop of Super Glue

TAIL: Pheasant Tail with 3 strands of Midge Flash, Pearl – beneath

ABDOMEN/THORAX: Natural Pheasant Tail wrapped around ribbing wire – 3 layers at thorax and ends pulled over to make emerging wing…

This is Terry Lawton’s version of Frank Sawyer’s PT Nymph…the one that all other PT’s are based on…I like this !

Materials SAWYER PT – Lawton/Variant…your call on the wire, this is Copper Brown, SM…

SAWYER PT Variants…

TMB (Tan Marabou Baetis) …

HOOK:  Daiichi 1560, #18, TMC 100BL, #20

THREAD: Tiemco 16/0, Dark Brown

TAIL: Coq De Leon, Ginger Speckled

RIB: Lagartun x-fine Gold or Copper wire

ABDOMEN: 2 tan and 2 Golden Brown Marabou plume feathers, twisted and wrapped forward

THORAX: SLF Spikey Squirrel Dubbing, Dark Brown – picked out for legs

WING CASE: (*not pictured in materials) Rusty Brown Krystal Flash topped with a dollop of UV resin…yummy

BEAD: Plummeting Tungsten Bead, Metallic Brown, sized to hook

Something in tan/brown to bounce along the bottom on a dead drift. I like using Rusty Brown Krystal Flash in a lot of nymph patterns…it just seems to be a good trigger for Trout and marabou is suggestive of gills and movement…

Materials TMB (Tan Marabou Baetis)…

TMB’s…

TUNG PPS BAETIS SH (Purple Peacock & Starling)…

HOOK:  Daiichi 1560, #18 –  TMC 101, #20

THREAD : Tiemco 16/0, Black

TAIL: Coq De Leon, Medium Speckled

ABDOMEN: 12/0 Nano Silk, Black

RIB: Three twisted strands of Chartreuse Fluoro Fibre – * Coat with Hard As Hull

THORAX: Iridescent Purple Peacock Eye – Spirit River

HACKLE: Dyed Purple Starling – White Fox Fur and Feather Co

BEAD: Silver Tungsten – sized to hook

A little black Baetis soft hackle pattern using Coq De Leon for tailing. I have used a bunch of these in this series because I like the sparkle they provide as opposed to other types of feathers usually used for tailing…

Materials TUNG PPS BAETIS SH (Purple Peacock & Starling)…

TUNG PPS BAETIS SH’s (Purple Peacock & Starling)…

KEEL BAETIS EMERGER (Brown) …

HOOK:  Daiichi 1250, #18 – TMC 206BL, #18 – #20 -Gamakatsu C13U, #18 – #20

THREAD: Under Abdomen- Tiemco 16/0, White – Thorax Forward – Tiemco 16/0, Dark Brown

TAIL: Coq De Leon, Dark Speckled

RIB: 3 strands of non-flash DNA Holo Fusion, twisted, White

OVER ABDOMEN: 12/0 Nano Silk, Brown – * Coat with Hard As Hull after ribbing

THORAX: UV2 Fine & Dry, Hexigenia

WING: (Material not pictured) Dark Dun CDC tips – Nature’s Spirit

An RS2 type emerging Brown Baetis tied on a keel style hook because I don’t see a lot of these being used and Bateis/Bwo’s are swimming May Flies as nymphs and emergers…

Materials KEEL BAETIS EMERGER (Brown)…Dark Dun CDC- Nature’s Spirit– (not pictured)…

KEEL BAETIS EMERGER (s) (Brown)…

GOLD GLASS BEAD BAETIS EMERGER (Tan-ish) …

HOOK:  Daiichi 1550 or1560, #18 or Daiichi 1130, #18 – #20

THREAD: Tiemco 16/0, Light Cahill

SHUCK: Golden Ginger Z-Lon

RIB: Lagartun x-fine Gold Wire

ABDOMEN: Goose Biot #.20 Callibaetis – Nature’s Spirit

WING CASE: six strands Midge Flash, Black

THORAX: UV2 Fine & Dry, Callibaetis

LEGS: Natural Hen Back fibers – V-notched

BEAD: Gold Glass, x-sm

A tan-ish Baetis nymph with a bit of sparkle. I use a lot of black for wing cases because May Fly nymph wing cases turn dark,  just before emergence and this is the period that they are most active and available to the trout…

Materials GOLD GLASS BEAD BAETIS EMERGER (s)… (Tan-ish)…

BAETIS/BWO kinda’ day…Wild Trout Section. Lower Owens River…

GOLD GLASS BEAD BAETIS EMERGER (s)…

Baetis tricaudatus …(from discoverlife.org)

WINTER BAETIS SH (Black)…

HOOK: TMC 102Y, #19 – TMC 900BL, #18- #20

THREAD: Tiemco 16/0, Black

TAIL: Coq De Leon, Dark Speckled

RIB: 1 strand Chartreuse Midge Flash

ABDOMEN: Pheasant Tail – Black

THORAX: Iridescent Peacock Eye, Brown – Spirit River

HACKLE: Natural Starling

Another Black Baetis which may be swung or dead drifted. The iridescent peacock eyes have a number of different uses…

Materials WINTER BAETIS SH (Black)…

WINTER BAETIS SH’s (Black)…

CDL TUNG BAT WING BAETIS (Black) – Petersen/Variant-

HOOK: Daiichi 1130, #18 – #20 or TMC 2487, #18 – #20

THREAD: Tiemco 16/0, Black

TAIL: Coq De Leon, Dark Speckled

ABDOMEN: Three strands of Black Krystal Flash – tied flat

WING: Fluffy base at the stem of a small Dun Hen Neck Feather – tied in, convex side up and pulled over thorax and bead

THORAX: AZ Synthetic dubbing, Chocolate

BEAD: Black Tungsten 5/64″ or 1/16″ …depending on hook size

I tie quite of the Bat Wing patterns to match various May Flies. Black is a good color to have handy for Baetis/Bwo’s. My tying bud, Dean Endress and I have encountered these black guys all up and down the course of the Lower Owens River…and they are probably found in most Western tail waters as these bugs start to emerge. This one, with a tungsten bead is meant to be fished deep. Substitute a brass black or copper bead to fish it higher in the water column – dead drift or swung,  in and below riffle water…

…that might work in here…

Materials CDL TUNG BAT WING BAETIS (Black)…

CDL TUNG BAT WING BAETIS Bunch…

OWENS EMERGER (Brown) …

HOOK: TMC 2487 or Daiichi 1130, #18 – #22

THREAD: Tiemco 16/0, Light Cahill – Under Abdomen – Tiemco 16/0, Dark Brown, Thorax forward

SHUCK: Strands of SLF Prism, kept sparse

ABDOMEN: Small bunch of non-flash strands DNA Holo Fusion, Brown – over Light Cahill thread

WING: Sparkle Emerger Yarn, Gray – post base of material on the hook shank so it does not crumple and splay all over the place

THORAX: 50% Mink, Natural Brown – 50% Nature’s Spirit, #8. Brown Olive

This is a pattern that has worked well on the Lower Owens River (see link) through the years. I fish it as a trailer, just under or on the water’s surface. If there is a desire to fish this sub-surface, use dun CDC and tilt the wing to the rear as on an RS2. The mink in the thorax traps air bubbles so do no dub it on too tightly…

Materials OWENS EMERGER (Brown)…

OWENS EMERGER(s) – (Brown)…

CDL KF NYMPH (Med. Brown Baetis) – Hughes/Variant –  – (this is a #20)…

HOOK: TMC 100SP-BL. #16-#20

THREAD:Tiemco 16/0, Black

TAIL: Coq De Leon, Dark Speckled

ABDOMEN: 3-5 strands of Medium Brown Krystal Flash – tied flat

WING CASE: 6 strands of Black Krystal Flash

THORAX: 50% Buggy Nymph Dubbing – Lava Brown – 50% #8. Brown Olive, Nature’s Spirit dubbing

LEGS: Natural Speckled Hen

This is a simple Dave Hughes nymph pattern with the addition of legs, which are V-notched and tied in. This may also be tied in Black and Tan – two other colors that I frequently run into on Eastern Sierra waters…

Materials for CDL KF NYMPH (Med. Brown Baetis)…

CDL KF NYMPH (s) (Med. Brown Baetis)…

One or two more HERE:

BAETIS/BWO’s # 1

BAETIS/ BWO’s # 2

BAETIS/ BWO’s # 3

BAETIS/ BWO’s # 4

BAETIS/ BWO’s # 5

BAETIS/ BWO’s # 6

BAETIS/BWO’s  #7

NEXT: A few scuds…

PT/TB

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HYDROPSYCHE Part II…and friends…( CONCLUDED)…

So… an additional number of Hydropsyche and a couple of other Caddis that appear on the local streams and rivers we visit, in late Summer. More details below…as usual…

HYDROPSYCHE… and a few friends…looks done to me…

SSX-CADDIS (UV2/Olive) – Matthews/Variant…

Materials for SSX-CADDIS…

HOOK: TMC 101, #14 – #20

THREAD: Tiemco 16/0, White (Under Abdomen) – Tiemco 16/0, Dark Brown (Thorax Forward)

SHUCK: Amber Z-Lon

RIB: Strand of UV Pearl Krystal Flash

ABDOMEN: 60% UV2 Caddis Nymph, Olive – 40% UV2 Fine & Dry, BWO

UNDER WING: 10-8 Strands Nymph Shear Fibers, Lt. Gray

WING: Snowshoe Hare, Dark Dun

SS = Snowshoe…this is a variation on the Improved X Caddis from Craig Matthews and Blue Ribbon Flies. In a recent newsletter (June 6, 2013), Craig stated that the shop is now tying a lot of patterns, including this one, with the Spirit River UV2 dubbings… I wonder WHY ???…

A few, finished SSX-CADDIS…

TRUDE SPENT CADDIS ATTRACTOR – (UV2/AZ Peacock) – Wiese/Variant…

Another view…

Materials for TRUDE SPENT CADDIS ATTRACTOR…

HOOK:  Daiichi 1100, #14 – #18…this is an #18

THREAD: Tiemco 16/0, White (Under Abdomen) – Tiemco 16/0, Dk. Brown (Thorax Forward)

SHUCK: Amber Sparkle Emerger Yarn

ABDOMEN: 70% AZ Synthetic Peacock, Natural – 30% UV2 Dubbing Enhancer, Dark

WINGS: Lt. Gray Polypropylene Floating Yarn. I figure 8 the wings to give them more of a spent appearance

HACKLE: Whiting Bronze Grizzly

Another Walter Wiese pattern out of Park’s Fly Shop in Gardiner, MT…Walter demonstrates tying the original HERE…

Some TRUDE SPENT CADDIS ATTRACTORS…

That guy … again…with another Trout…as usual…

Michael, working some good Caddis water, near Raynolds Pass on the Madison River, MT…

WICKED WEAVER CADDIS EMERGER (Tan) – Newbury/Variant …

Materials for WICKED WEAVER CADDIS – Variant…

HOOK:  Gamakatsu C16-B, #14 – #18

THREAD: Tiemco 16/0, White (Under Abdomen) – Tiemco 16/0, DK. Brown (Thorax Forward)

UNDER BODY: Krystal Flash, UV Tan over white tying thread

SHEATH: Micro Pearl Core Braid with the interior floss removed, burned at the tip and I coat the tip with with Zap-A-Gap for durability

THORAX: UV2 Fine & Dry, Tan

UNDER WING: Z-Lon, Kinky Ginger

WING: Bleached Yearling Elk

HACKLE: Whiting Dark Ginger Grizzly

This is a variation of a John Newbury pattern who uses Micro Pearl Core Braid in a very interesting manner. HERE is the original video version tied by John. He designs and ties patterns for Umpqua Feather Merchants…roam around on his site and some unique patterns will appear…

WICKED WEAVER CADDIS (Tan)…

PALE RIDER (Gray) UV 2 EMERGING CADDIS …

The Gamakatsu C16-B Hook…

Materials PALE RIDER CADDIS (Gray)…

HOOK:  Gamakatsu C16-B, #14 – #18

THREAD: Tiemco 16/0, White (Under Abdomen) – Tiemco 16/0, Gray (Thorax Forward)

SHUCK: Para Post Wing, Light Gray

ABDOMEN: UV2 Turkey Biot, Mallard Gray

THORAX: UV2 Fine & Dry, Adams Gray

UNDER WING: Z-Lon, Kinky Light Dun

WING: Yearling Elk, Dun

HACKLE: Whiting Grizzly

Back in the early 1980’s, I used to fish a dry Caddis pattern on August evenings that was Gray (Yes, Gray and I don’t know the species which will require some research on my part) – on the East Walker River. I had the greatest success fishing this pattern along the bank edges, directly down stream. It consisted of a Gray Biot body, folded and inverted partridge wing (coated with a fixative) and a Grizzly hackle. I call it a “PITA” to tie fly…(One may surmise what that means). It killed – hence the name. This is a cripple/emerger version of that pattern, tied on a hook the I have rarely seen used by other tiers. These hooks, for me, are perfect for cripple/emergers because they drop the abdomen under the surface film…they may be ordered directly through the Gamakatsu online store…

Up along that willow filled bank where Michael is nymphing…

PALE RIDER CADDIS (Gray)…

Fishin’ boot camp for Miles…

GOOBER CADDIS…

GOOBER CADDIS CRIPPLE/EMERGER –  UV2 (Olive) – Kelly Galloup/Variant…

Materials, Olive GOOBER CADDIS…

HOOK: TMC 100BL, #14 – #18

THREAD: Tiemco 16/0, White (Under Abdomen) – Tiemco 16/0, Olive ((Thorax Forward)

SHUCK: Z-Lon, Golden Ginger

ABDOMEN: 60% Emergence Dubbing # .4, Olive – 40% UV2 Fine & Dry, BWO

WING: Coastal Deer Hair, Dark

HACKLE: Whiting Grizzly

This is Kelly Galloup’s “Goober Caddis”…Most people know his streamer patterns, many don’t know that he has designed some very effective Caddis patterns that were developed for the Madison River. The placement of the wing is unconventional and foreign to the eye. Trust me, this pattern, along with his “Butch Caddis” catch Trout just about anywhere…

GOOBER CADDIS CRIPPLE/EMERGER UV2 (Tan) – Kelly Galloup/Variant …

Materials Tan GOOBER CADDIS…

HOOK:  TMC 101, #14 – #18

THREAD: Tiemco 16/0, White (Under Abdomen) – Tiemco 16/0, DK. Brown(Thorax Forward)

SHUCK: Sparkle Emerger Yarn, Yellow

ABDOMEN: 60% Emergence Dubbing #.42, Tan / 40% UV2 Fine & Dry, Tan

WING: Coastal Deer Hair, Bleached

HACKLE: Whiting. Dark Ginger Grizzly

Aversion in Tan…

Some tools on a leather lanyard I carry in the top right pocket of my vest (L-R) Hook hone, Scissors – to trim hackles on the water and an ancient, leader straightener…Any of the patterns using hackles, in this post or in “Doin’ the HYDROPSYCE” may be trimmed even with the hook point or V notched…

From Kelly Gallop’s Photo Gallery…the Madison River in the Slide Area..(Above Kelly’s SLIDE INN)…

GOOBER CADDIS CRIPPLE/EMERGER –  UV2 (Brown) – Kelly Galloup/Variant…

Materials Brown GOOBER CADDIS…

HOOK: TMC 100BL, #14 – #18

THREAD: Tiemco 16/0 White (Under Abdomen)

SHUCK: Z-Lon, Kinky,  Dark Tan

ABDOMEN: UV2 Fine & DRy – Rust

WING: Coastal All Purpose Deer Hair

HACKLE: Whiting, Bronze Grizzly

A version in Brown…

E/C CADDIS (Dirty Yellow) – Cutter/Variant …

Materials E/C CADDIS Variant…

HOOK: Daiichi 1110, #16 – #18

THREAD: Tiemco 16/0, Lt. Cahill (Thorax forward)

SHUCK: Looped strand Z-Lon, Ginger

ABDOMEN: Nano Silk 12/0. Yellow

RIB: Micro Pearl Flashabou – *Coat abdomen with Hard As Hull

WING: Bleached Yearling Elk

THORAX: SLF Prism, Sand

HACKLE: Whiting, Cream

This is variation of Ralph Cutter’s E/C Caddis, which has been around since 1981. I have had a lot of success with Yellow Humpys, when Tan Caddis are emerging, so this pattern , in what amounts to a “dirty yellow’, once the Nano Silk is wrapped around the hook shank, follows that line of reasoning and this design sits lower in the surface film…E/C stands for “emerger/cripple” – it is a proven design…Charlie Craven ties it HERE…

Some E/C’s… done

NEXT:…A little bit of this and that

PT/TB  

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FALL BAETIS / BWO’s…2012…(COMPLETED)

A whole mess of ’em coming up –  with an emphasis on Gray and Olive/Gray…and this time..I’ll put the recipes in as I finish each dozen…

What it says…

PHEASANT & FOLDED FOAM (Gray Baetis) EMERGER – Gantner/Variant…

HOOK: TMC 200R, #18 – #22

THREAD: Tiemco 16/0, Gray

SHUCK: Zelon, Olive/Brown

RIB: Wapsi Ultra Wire, Silver, x-sm

ABDOMEN: Pheasant Tail Fibers, #16. Muskrat Gray – Nature’s Spirit

HACKLE: Medium Dun Saddle

WING: Wapsi Razor Foam, .5MM, Translucent Dun – Folded over double…the hackle windings tip it forward
A John Gantner pattern I have put up before using different ingredients. It may be tied as an adult, emerger or cripple depending on the tailing material. It is a good one !!!

Michael working the water in the “Wild Trout Section” of the Lower Owens River…

2TONE FOAM SPLIT WING CRIPPLE – (Gray/Olive Baetis)…Howard Cole/Variant…

HOOK: Daiichi 1100, #18 – #22

THREAD: Tiemco 16/0, White…to front of thorax, then Tiemco 16/0, Gray

SHUCK:  Zelon – Olive/Brown

ABDOMEN: Gray Micro tubing

BACK: Over top of Abdomen, UV 2 Turkey Biot, BWO

RIB: Black Ice Thread

THORAX: UV 2 Fine & Dry Adams Grey

WING CASE: Wapsi Razor Foam, Translucent Dun, .5MM

WINGS: Hi-Vis #7, Black

Another interesting pattern from Howard Cole to use when the Trout are looking up top…the black wings are so I can see it on Gray, overcast days…that Turkey biot back is the other variation I was talking about to give the pattern differing tones…

SNOWSHOE MESS (Knock Down Dun) – Gray Baetis…Schollmeyer/Matthews-Variant…

HOOK: TMC 2488, #16 -#22

THREAD: Danville 6/0 Gray – Abdomen…Tiemco 16/0 Gray – Thorax forward

TAIL: Dun Snowshoe Hare’s Foot

WINGS: Dun Snowshoe Hare’s foot

THORAX: on #16 – #18 – UV 2 Fine and Dry Adams Gray

It does not get any easier than this…Jim Schollmeyer calls it “The Snowshoe Mess”…the “Knock Down Dun”, using Zelon is tied HERE by Craig Matthews…it may also be ties using Hi-Vis, Sparkle Emerger Yarn or CDC…Snowshoe Hare floats the best and longer than any of the other materials…

Our favorite kind of day along the Lower Owens River…

IRON BRIDGE UV 2 BATTIS…(GRAY BAETIS) -Jurgens/Variant…

HOOK: Daiichi 1480, #18 – #22 – I like this Limerick bend hook !

THREAD: Tiemco 16/0, Gray, Tiemco 16/0 , White – under abdomen

TAIL: Coq De Leon, Medium Speckled

ABDOMEN: UV 2 Turkey Biot, Mallard Gray – fringed side up

WING: Hi-Vis, #16, Medium Grey

THORAX: Micro Fine Dry Fly Dub Baetis Gray – Hareline

HACKLE: Medium Dun

A Larry Jurgens – pattern adapted for fall…He has done a bunch of variations on the Iron Bridge, which may be found HERE:

JUJU (UV 2) RS-2 EMERGER (Baetis, Gray/Olive)…Chung/Craven-Variant…or as ALLY would say. “Der…”…

HOOK: Daiichi 1110, #18 – #22

THREAD: Tiemco 16/0, White- Abdomen and Thorax…Tiemco 16/0, Gray – Head

TAIL: Moose Body Hair. Black – Nature’s Spirit

ABDOMEN: 1 strand Olive Super Hair, 2 strands Gray Super Hair wrapped over abdomen

WING: CDC Puff, Medium Dun

THORAX: UV 2 Fine and Dry, Adams Grey – Spirit River
A combination of elements from two proven patterns – Rim Chung’s RS-2 and Charlie Craven’s Juju series…der…

GRAY HAZE CRIPPLE FALL/BAETIS…Wiese/Variant…

HOOK: Daiichi 1110, #18 – #20

THREAD: Veevus 16/0, Olive Dun

SHUCK/TAIL: Sparkle Emerger Yarn, Olive/Brown

ABDOMEN: Super Floss, Gray – Larva Lace

WING: Para Post, Light Gray

HACKLE: Whiting Midge Saddle, Medium Dun

A Walter Wiese pattern similar to Rowan Nyman’s DOA Cripple…I used some different materials…The video for this pattern may be found HERE…

UV 2 CDC/ CDL-50.5…

HOOK: TMC 2488, #18 – #22

THREAD: UTC 70 Denier, Olive Brown – Abdomen…Tiemco 16/0, Gray – Thorax forward

TAIL: Coq De Leon, Medium Speckled

WING STUB: UV 2 Select CDC, Medium Dun

WING CASE: Holographic Mylar Motion, 1/32″, Black – Spirit River…coat with UV Knotsense, Clear Goo or 5 Min. Epoxy

THORAX: UV 2 Caddis Nymph Hares Ear Dubbing – Spirit River

My variation pattern that has been around for a very long time, based on the WD 40. Other variants on this theme, which work well in the eastern Sierras and other places may be found HERE…I like CDC, for the wing stub, because it traps air bubbles. I tie a lot of RS 2’s using CDC too –  and fish both patterns from the bottom to the top of the water column…

Ally takes a Baetis break to engage in her favorite pastime…

CHIDING McGEE FLYMPH-Baetis Gray/Olive…

HOOK: TMC 101, #20 -#22

THREAD: Tiemco 16/0, Gray

SHUCK: Olive/Brown Zelon

ABDOMEN: Goose Biot, #7. Gray Olive – Nature’s Spirit

THORAX: Trouthunter (House of Harrop) fine natural dubbing – Gray Olive

BEAD: Wapsi, Killer Caddis Midge 15/0, Gun Metal

HACKLE: Hen Neck, Dun

When I put a photo up,of the half-full box, on my FB Page,  Allen McGee chided me for not having any FLYMPH patterns included. From Allen’s book : “Tying & Fishing Soft-Hackled Nymphs” pg. # 9. , “Pete Hidy coined the term ‘flymph’ to better describe the wingless wet fly as used to imitate emerging caddisfly pupae and mayfly nymphs.”… This is for Allen… they work real good fished as a dropper or alone, dead drifted, swung or using the Leisenring Lift or induced take method…

THE GIDGET – Mike Mercer/Variant (Gray)…

HOOK: Gamakatsu R10-B, #18 – #20

THREAD: Tiemco 16/0. Gray

TAIL: Medium Dun Mallard Flank Fibers

FLASHBACK: Olive Krystal Flash

ABDOMEN: Micro Tubing, Gray

BURST WINGCASE: 3 looped strands Midge Flash, Lt. Blue Dun/Pearl

LEGS: Whole Speckled Hen Saddle Fibers, 48a. Natural Gray – Nature’s Spirit

THORAX: UV 2 Scud Shrimp Grey

BEAD: Silver Brass or Tungsten – 5/64″ #18, 1/16″ #20

More information on this great pattern at FLY FISHING TRADITIONS…and the “trigger” effect of the Midge Flash burst wingcase..

One of my many favorite sections to work, on the Lower Owens River…on a Gray Baetis kinda’ day…

A BOX…half  – FULL…

COURTESAN BWO (GRAY) – Charlie Craven/Variant (2BH)…

HOOK: TMC 103BL, #19

THREAD: Tiemco 16/0, Gray

TAIL: Whole Speckled hen Saddle Fibers, 48a. Natural Gray – Nature’s Spirit

ABDOMEN: Working thread

RIB: UTC Ultra Wire, Black, x-sm

WING CASE: 5-6 strands, UV Pearl Krystal Flash – coat with Uv Knotsense, Clear Goo, or 5 Min. Epoxy

THORAX: UV 2 Fine and Dry, Adams Grey – followed by HI-LITE Gasss Bead, Blue Peacock, x-sm – followed by UV 2 dubbing, again

LEGS: Same as tail, V notched feather

BEAD: Black Tungsten or Brass, 1/16″

Not quite as heavy for Fall flows and based loosely on Charlie Craven’s “Two Bit Hooker”...the tying sequence for which…may be found HERE

My son Michael, on the Lower Owens River, Bishop, CA in late November…How does that kid get his hands to work ???…

MP GRAY/OLIVE BH BAETIS NYMPH …

HOOK: TMC 101, #20 – #22

THREAD: Tiemco 16/0, Gray

TAIL: Bronze Mallard fibers

RIB: Wapsi, Black x-sm

ABDOMEN: 2 Light Olive, Select Marabou plume fibers – 3 Shad Gray Select Marabou plume fibers, twisted over thread into a rope

FLASHBACK: Pearl Micro Flashabou

WING CASE: Mottled Oak Turkey Quill fibers…coat with Knotsense, Clear Goo or 5 Min. Epoxy after adding thorax and legs…

THORAX: UV 2 Caddis Nymph dubbing, Adams Grey

LEGS: Partridge Fibers , v notched feather

BEAD: Black Tungsten or Brass, 1/16″

Something buggy and fuzzy for non-hatching Baetis/BWO’s in the drift…these guys will have darkened wing cases just prior to hatching…in that case use Black Krystal Flash, Black Holographic Mylar Motion 1/32″ or some other dark material that suits one’s fancy…

LIL’ OLIVE/GRAY BAETIS EMERGER …

HOOK: TMC 2488…#20 – #22

THREAD: Tiemco 16/0, Gray

SHUCK: Mixed – sparse – Light Olive Kinky Zelon, Dark Dun Kinky Zelon

ABDOMEN: Stripped Goose Biot, #7. Gray Olive – Nature’s Spirit

WING CASE: 1 strand Holographic Mylar Motion 1/32″, Black – Spirit River ...OVER – Clear Thin Skin…dab of UV Knotsense, Cler Goo or 5 Min. Epoxy

THORAX: Micro Fine, Dry Fly Dub, Baetis Gray – Hareline

LEGS: Whole Speckled Hen Saddle feather, V Notched, 48a, Natural Gray – Nature’s Spirit
Something small, which may be presented in the water column… from the bottom to the top…

SAPHIRE BAT WING EMERGER – BWO/GRAY…Tracy Petersen/Variant…

HOOK: Daiichi 1130, TMC 2487, #18 – #22

THREAD: Tiemco 16/0, Gray

TAIL: Mallard Flank Natural (darker fibers)

ABDOMEN: Working thread

RIB: Micro Flashabou, Pearl – coat abdomen with S.H.A.N or hard as Hull after ribbing

WING CASE: 6-8 strands of Royal Blue Krystal Flash – coat with UV Knotsense, Clear Goo or 5 min. Epoxy after pulling over wing

WING: Fluffy fibers at the base of a Dun Hen Neck feather – tied in convex side up

THORAX: Nature’s Spirit Emergence Dubbing, Trilobal Antron, # 16. Muskrat Gray

A continuation of the Tracy Petersen Bat Wing series with a bit of flash…
For here...on a nasty day…

Lower Owens River in late Fall…

Wing like BAT…

LIT UP BAETIS …

HOOK: TMC 3761, #18 – #20

THREAD: Tiemco 16/0 Gray

TAIL: Coq De Leon, Medium Speckled

ABDOMEN: 3 strands, UV Gray Krystal Flash – 1 strand, Olive Krystal..twisted together and wrapped over tying thread

WING CASE: 6-8 strands of Red Krystal Flash…pulled over after thorax and legs are added, coat with UV Knotsense, Clear Goo or 5 min. Epoxy

THORAX: UV 2 Scud Shrimp Grey – Spirit River – …yessss

LEGS: Ruffed Grouse fibers

This is more of an attractor/searching type  Baetis/BWO nymph in the tradition of weird stuff I tie that generally works real good in the Eastern Sierras. Why…??? Because the Trout have not seen it before and it incorporates some trigger elements that have worked for me in the past…like that Red KF Wing Case and fuzzy thorax…I don’t worry about my patterns ever winding up in a shadow box…they are meant to catch the Trouties…

TB FALL BAETIS (Olive/Gray)…

HOOK: TMC 101, #18 -#20

THREAD: Tiemco 16/0, Gray

TAIL: Coq De Leon, Light Medium Speckled

RIB: Wapsi wire, Black, x-sm

BACK: Olive Micro tubing, pulled over abdomen, then ribbed

ABDOMEN: 2 Plumes, Select Marabou – Light Olive, 3 Plumes Select Marabou – Shad Gray…twisted around thread..then wrap as abdomen

WING CASE: 6-7 Strands, Pearl Firefly , coated with Loon UV Knotsense, Clear Goo or 5 min. Epoxy

THORAX: 50% Squirrel Blend – Natural Grey, 50% UV 2 Fine & Dry Adams Grey

HACKLE: Split by WINGASE – Starling

BEAD: Black Tungsten #18 – 5/64″ – #20 – 1/16

Micro tubing has all kinds of uses…this is one for small, two toned patterns. I will be using something else – unconventional, on another Baetis/BWO nymph pattern…

UV 2 KRYSTAL FLASH EMERGER (Gray) – Rick Murphy/Variant…

HOOK: Daiichi 1110 or 1100, #18 – #22

THREAD: Tiemco 16/0, White (for base under abdomen) – Tiemco 16/0, Gray (Thorax forward)

TAIL/SHUCK: Dun Zelon, sparse

OVER ABDOMEN: Uv 2 Turkey Biot, Mall. Gray – Spirit River

WING CASE/LEGS: Midge Flash, Black

THORAX: Ostrich Mini Plume feather, Natural Gray – Wapsi

I tie every color of Baetis/BWO’s on this Rick Murphy platform. It is an excellent pattern that one will not find in any Fly Shop…

The VIEW, along the Lower Owens River, Bishop, CA…late afternoon in the FALL…

UV 2 HALF BACK/FOAM BACK BWO (Gray) Glissmeyer/Variant…

HOOK: Daiichi 1130, TMC 2487, #18 – #20

THREAD: Tiemco 16/0, Grey Abdomen to Thorax then head – Tiemco 16/0, White, Thorax

TAIL/SHUCK: Ice Dub, UV Grey

RIB: Lagartun, fine Blue wire

WING CASE: Electronics packing foam

THORAX: UV 2 Fine & Dry Adams Grey over a base of White tying thread and Pearl Mylar Tinsel – SM

A variation of a Kelley G, Glissmeyer Spring Creek pattern meant to be fished as a trailer behind a parasol emerger pattern in “skinny” or weedy water…

CHINO-GIRL (Ally) says: “Let’s hit the water Dad !!!”…in Bridgeport, CA…in the FALL…

LIME FLASH TUNG BAETIS (Gray)…

HOOK: TMC 100 SP BL, #18 – #20

THREAD: Tiemco 16/0, Gray

TAIL: Pheasant Tail Fibers,  #16. Muskrat Gray – Nature’s Spirit

RIB: Wapsi Ultra Wire, Metallic Olive, SM

ABDOMEN: Pheasant Tail Fibers – Muskrat Gray

FLASHBACK: 1 Strand Lime Green extra limp Flashabou

WINGCASE: 1 Strand Holographic Mylar Motion 1/32″ over Strip of Black Tin Skin (Coated with UV Knot Sense or Epoxy)

THORAX: UV 2 Peacock Eye ( Over Tiemco 16/0 Thread, White )

LEGS: India Hen Back – Natural ( feather V-notched )

BEAD: Black Tungsten – 1 size over sized
A little something for down deep when the Fall Baetis are about to “POP”…

Additional BAETIS/BWO patterns:

BAETIS/BWO’s # 1

BAETIS/ BWO’s # 2

BAETIS/ BWO’s # 3

BAETIS/ BWO’s # 4

BAETIS/ BWO’s # 5

BAETIS/ BWO’s # 6

PT/TB

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THE BRIDGE of $3.00 – For MOO…( COMPLETED)

These are some ties for my son, Michael to use, when he and Aimee are up in Montana, about the first week in August…They will include PMD’s, Epeorus, Caddis and an attractor or two plus a Stonefly…he can get his own hoppers , by checking at the waters edge -in the grass and bushes – and determining what color and size to use…

A Madison County Bridge…

A box of flies…for Michael and THAT RIVER…

Gotta’ LOVE MONTANA…a FLY SHOP that offers Ice Cream cones !!!

CZECH CATNIP…Daniels/Variant…

THREAD: UTC Ultra, 70 Denier, Black

HOOK: TMC 2499SP- BL, Daiichi 1120, Mustad CO 68 or TMC Czech Comp. Hook – #8 – #14

ABDOMEN: Micro UV Polar Chenille, Olive – (Hareline)

RIB: Glimmer Thread, Root Beer (Cascade Crest)…George uses Mono 4x

THORAX: Micro Polar Chenille, Black

SHELL BACK: Thin Skin, Mottled Oak, Olive

BEAD: Tungsten, Black – one size under, with lead sub. wire wraps

A George Daniel’s pattern…Colorado guide and author of “Dynamic Nymphing”…something for Michael to use to take his flies deep…George ties it HERE…at my favorite Fly Shop…

FOAM FLY ANT…Nyman/Variant …

THREAD: UTC Ultra, 70 Denier, Black

HOOK:  TMC 101, #14 – #22

ABDOMEN: Black Razor Foam – Wapsi, 1MM

WING: White or Dun Zelon

LEGS: Sili Legs, Black/Blue Flake- Wapsi…Craig uses round rubber…

A GREAT pattern to have, for the month of August, on the Upper Madison…when they are about, the Trout go nuts for ’em !!!…Craig Matthews ties Rowan Nymen’s pattern HERE:

Happy MOO with a squaretail Brown…about 300 meters above the BRIDGE…

PUTZY PUPA – TAN…Lobrel/Variant…

THREAD: Abdomen-Danville 6/0, Tan…Thorax forward – Tiemco 16/0, Brown

HOOK: Daiichi 1250, #14 – #18…I prefer these over ANY Dai-Riki hook…

ABDOMEN/SHUCK: UV Tan Ice Dub

THORAX: UV Brown Ice Dub

BEAD: Plummeting Tungsten – Hareline – Metallic Purple, sized to hook

Another simple tie out of the BIG “R” Fly Shop…Tan Caddis…Hydropsyche, are present in goodly numbers in August on the Madison…The tutorial is HERE:

A LOT more of these...LONG WING TUNG COPPER DIP…

HOOK: TMC 2499 SP BL, #14 – #18

THREAD: Wapsi, Ultra 70 Denier, Black or Brown

ABDOMEN: Copper Krystal Flash

RIB: Wapsi wire, Copper/Brown, SM – coat with SHAN or Hard as Hull for durability

WING: Bleached Coastal Deer Hair, Nature’s Spirit – held vertical to hook shank and clipped – long-ish

HOT SPOT: Datum Glo-Brite, # 5

BEAD: Gold or Copper Tungsten, sized to hook

BECAUSE…

THEY like ’em…

…around SUNSET…

CHARTREUSE HOLO LONG WING DIP…

THREAD: Tiemco 16/0, Olive

HOOK: TMC 2499SP-BL, #14 – #18

ABDOMEN: Holographic Tinsel, Chartreuse, Med. or SM

RIB: Wapsi wire, Black and FL. Yellow, SM…coat with hard as Hull or SHAN for durability…

WING: Coastal Deer Hair, Medium

HOT SPOT: Datum Glo-Brite Floss, #12, Fl. Green

BEAD: Black Tungsten, sized to hook…
This and the long wing Copper Dip are meant to imitate emerging Caddis Pupa…work, they do !!!

CLAKKA IRIS CADDIS…Matthews-Wiese/Variant…

THREAD: Tiemco 16/0, Brown or Olive

HOOK: TMC 100BL, #14 – #18

SHUCK: Gold Zelon

ABDOMEN: Fly Rite Poly, Olive/Brown

WING: Grey Poly Yarn

THORAX: UV Ice Dub, Tan

HACKLE: Light Ginger

The Improved version of Craig Matthews by Walter Wiese (Park’s Fly Shop)…Craig once fished the Madison for a whole season using only the Amber Iris Caddis as his fly…go figure…Walter ties a version HERE:

EPEORUS RS-2 EMERGER…Chung-Stalcup/Variant…

THREAD: Gordon Griffith 14/0, Primrose

TAIL: Bleached Moose or Light Elk

ABDOMEN: Yellow Micro Tubing over tying thread

WING: Yellow CDC, Clipped

LEGS: Yellow mallard Flank

THORAX: Trouthunter, Yellow CDC Dubbing
I won’t even reflect on how many Madison Trout have gobbled an RS-2 pattern…I tie a lot of them…this one is for Michael to try during that astounding hatch of Epeourus on the Madison…this may be fished deep or in the surface film. Epeorus, like March Browns, emerge as adult duns…patterns that mimic this behavior – can be deadly !!!

LITTLE YELLOW SALLY EMERGER – Howard Cole/Variant…TMC 5212, #12 – #16…(and YES, they can emerge on the water’s surface…happened a lot of times on the Madison and Lower Owens Rivers – straight into my face…see pg. 98, Schollmeyer & Leeson’s – “Tying Emergers”…

THREAD: Tiemco 16/0, Lt. Cahill

HOOK: see above

TAIL/SHUCK: Amber Zelon topped with Wood Duck fibers

ABDOMEN: 1/3 Fl. Orange dubbing – 2/3 Creamy Yellow dubbing

WING: Dun Zelon

THORAX: Creamy Yellow dubbing

HACKLE: Lt. Dun CDC

WING CASE: Thin Ethafoam or Electronic packing foam (used here)…

Howard Cole ties some great patterns…I’m loading Michael up with a bunch of U-Con 2 Caddis Emergers that are also Howard’s design…

FAST WATER EMERGER – EPEORUS…Nemec/Variant …

THREAD: Tiemco 16/0, Lt. Cahill

HOOK: Daiichi 1760, #18

SHUCK: Olive-Brown Zelon, sparse

RIB: Pearl Krystal Flash

ABDOMEN: Yellow Marabou and Tan Marabou, twisted together

FORWARD WING: Two small bunches of Yellow Sparkle Emerger Yarn

FORWARD WING/POST: Small cylinder foam, Yellow – Rainy’s

HACKLE: Cream

An adaptation of Jan Nemec’s… Fast Water Emerger-Baetis…which I will further detail when I start tying up BWO’s/Baetis for this Fall…He’s out of Reno and quite an interesting tier…

FAST WATER EMERGER BAETIS – Nemec/Variant – TMC 200R, #18 – #20…this is a #20….(10.12.13)

BAT WING EPEORUS EMERGER…Petersen/Variant …

THREAD: Tiemco 16,0, Lt. Cahill

HOOK: Daiichi 1130, #16

TAIL: Yellow Mallard Flank Fibers

ABDOMEN: Yellow Goose Biot, fringed

RIB: Lagartun, x-fine gold wire

THORAX: Trouthunter CDC dubbing, yellow

WING: Cream Hen Neck

BEAD: Killer Caddis Diamond glass bead

I tie these to match just about every May Fly…because they truly perform…from the bottom of the water column to just under the surface…A Tracy Petersen winner !!!

KF PMD EMERGER…Murphy/Variant…

THREAD: Tiemco 16/0, Brown

HOOK: TMC 100SPBL, #16 – #20

SHUCK: Rusty Brown Zelon, sparse

ABDOMEN: Rusty Brown Goose Biot, fringed

RIB: Lagartun Copper Wire, x-fine

WING CASE: Pearl KF, coated with UV Knot Sense or Clear-Goo

THORAX: Yellow Ostrich Herl

LEGS: Rusty Brown KF…three strands, each side

A Rick Murphy pattern that I play around with a lot. I think I have a tie for every May Fly in the West – based on his design…

SOUTHERN CROSS… (“…and ‘ya know it will”…)

THREAD: Tiemco 16/0, Brown

HOOK: TMC C400BL, #14 – #16

TAIL: Bobwhite Quail -fibers from tail feather

ABDOMEN: Rainbow Sow Scud dubbing

HACKLING: V-notched feather from shoulder feather- Bobwhite Quail

THORAX: SLF Spikey Squirrel dubbing – Black

HOT SPOT: Datum Glo-Brite Floss, #3, Red

BEAD: Gold Tungsten

An attractor for Michael to play with…I got a feeling a Trout might like it…

Boy looks for Trout…somewhere, down there, in the Madison…

NICK’S SOFT HACKLE PMD EMERGER…Nick Nicklas/Variant…
THREAD: Tiemco 16/0, Lt. Cahill

HOOK: TMC 2302 – #14 – #16, Daiichi 1760, #18

TAIL: Yellow Mallard Flank Fibers

RIB: Wapsi Wire, Hot Yellow, SM

ABDOMEN: Gold Tinsel

THORAX: Yellow or Gold Ostrich Herl

HACKLE: Lemon Wood Duck, V-notched and spun

Anything from Nick catches fish !!!…HERE is Craig Matthews tying it…

Looking down the Madison River Valley from Palisades towards Ennis, MT…

CHARLIE C’s JUJU PMD – Light Phase…

THREAD: Tiemco 16/0, White to THORAX, then Tiemco 16/0, Brown – forward

HOOK: TMC 2488, #16 – #20

TAIL: Brown Hen Neck fibers

ABDOMEN: 2 strands Tan Super Hair, 1 strand Orange Sea Hair

WING CASE: Pearl KF, coated with UV Knotsense or Clear-Goo

THORAX: Spirit River Emergence dubbing – Pheasant tail

Legs: Brown Fluro Fiber…look at Charlie’s suggestions in tutorial…then go crazy counting

I wouldn’t see Michael off without an abundance of ties from Charlie Craven…HERE is his tutorial on the Juju Baetis with the PMD at the bottom…

CHARLIE C’s  JUJU PMD – Dark Phase …

THREAD: Tiemco 16/0, Lt. Cahil to Thorax, then Tiemco 16/0, Brown – forward

HOOK: TMC 2488, #16 – #20

TAIL: Brown Hen Neck fibers

ABDOMEN: 2 strands Brown Super Hair, 1 strand Orange Sea Hair

WING CASE: Pearl KF, coat with UV Knotsense or Clear-Goo

THORAX: UV Ice Dub, Brown

LEGS: Brown Fluro Fiber…see above pattern…

Because like BWO’s/Baetis, PMD’s come in a variation of colors, in close proximity, in the same watershed…be prepared…

Who knows…maybe Michael and Aimee might even try some of these over here…on the Stillwater River…Rusty Brown is killer there…

“G”, Split Wing Case PMD…

THREAD: Tiemco 16/0, Brown

HOOK:Daiichi 1130, #16 – #18

TAIL: Coq De Leon, Dark

RIB: Glimmer Thread – Cascade Crest – White

ABDOMEN: Rusty Brown Goose Biot, fringed

WING CASE: Mottled Brown Medallion Sheeting…split wih an exacto knife after being tie in

UNDER WING CASE: Yellow Razor Foam, .5MM

LEGS: V-Notched Brown Hen Neck Feather

Yeah…it looks weird…some of my weirdest patterns are my best producers…I will let Michael put it to the test…

SPECKLED HEN PMD…

THREAD: Tiemco 16/0, Brown

HOOK: TMC 2488, #16 – #20

RIB: Lagartun Copper Wire, x-fine

ABDOMEN: Pheasant Tail, Rusty Brown

WING CASE: Rusty Brown Krystal Flash

THORAX: Stalcup’s PMD dubbing

LEGS: Speckled Yellow Hen Neck fibers

Another option with a small, slim profile for the MOO to toss around…

MICRO MADISON PMD/Variant – Matthews…

THREAD: Lagartun 74 Denier, Rusty Brown

HOOK: Daiichi 1560, # 16 – #18, TMC 3761, #20

TAIL: Rusty Brown Pheasant tail fibers

RIB: Wapsi Copper Wire, x-sm

ABDOMEN: Working Thread

THORAX: Nature’s Spirit Emergence dubbing, Pheasant Tail

WING CASE/LEGS: Black Krystal Flash

BEAD: Copper Tungsten sized, ONE SIZE under

Craig Matthew’s Madison standy-by…bumped by me…another PMD nymph alternative for Michael and an opportunity to test out the Lagartun Rusty Brown thread…

Where Michael’s feet will be planted…soon…

I’m also going to sneak my Montana (special) Nymph box into his vest when i see him this weekend…

SIDE # 1.

Side # 2.

NEXT: ROAD TRIP !!!…with ALLY and a visit to a Fly Shop next to a lake in Sonoma County with Michael and Aimee…

PT/TB 

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