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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ANOTHER BOX for MOO…DONE…

These are nineteen patterns for Michael to use back East this Spring and Summer. Because I do not Fly Fish in the East, I have relied upon patterns by folks who primarily do. When my son wants Catskill dries, I will take him to Dette Trout Flies in Roscoe, NY and buy some for him. Some of these are Western pattern variants  that have slowly drifted to and found favor with some of those in the regions of the less inclined…The MOO will let me know…

A Box of Eastern Patterns for my son…

LITTLE CADDIS THING (Hydropsyche/Ceratopsyche) – Petersen/Variant …

HOOK: Daiichi 1110, #16- #18

THREAD: Tiemco 16/0, Dark Brown

ABDOMEN: Micro Fine Dry Fly Dub, Cinnamon

THORAX: X-tremely Fine Natural Dubbing, #.25, Cinnamon Caddis – Nature’s Spirit

WING(s): CDC Natural Mallard, 2 feathers each side, orientation outward. Outside feather is pulled back by stem and tied down, providing  outriggers

ANTENNAE: Natural Pheasant Tail Fibers.

This is a Tracy Petersen dry Caddis pattern that smokes ’em. It first appeared in the Summer 2006 Issue of Flyfishing & Tying Journal (pg. 59). Tracy tied the original with an abdomen of twisted CDC. I used dubbing because it is not quite as fragile. To match other Caddis, I would suggest using Trouthunter CDC or CDC from these other two sources…HERE and HERE…

Materials LITTLE CADDIS THING (Hydropsyche/Ceratopsyche)…

LITTLE CADDIS THING(s) #16 & #18…

…another rationa(lies)zation…back-up to the back-up…

PT CRUNCHER (Olive)- G. Daniel/Variant …

HOOK: TMC 100SPBL, #10 -#16

THREAD: UTC 70 Denier, Olive Green

TAIL: Pheasant Tail Fiber, 6-8, Olive

ABDOMEN: Pheasant Tail Fibers, Olive

THORAX: Micro UV Chenille, Olive

HACKLE: Partridge, Dyed Olive

A variation of a George Daniel pattern. The original uses natural PT, UV Chartreuse Micro Chenille, copper ultra wire and brown hen hackle…There are a gazillion cruncher patterns…this is just one in simple olive…

Materials PT CRUNCHER (Olive)…

PT CRUNCHER(s)- OLIVE…

More water for the MOO, back East…

TWO TONE STONE (Lt. Brown/Olive) – Williams/Variant …

HOOK: Umpqua – (Hanak) C400BL, #8 – #14, Knapek J (#4-#6)

THREAD:Veevus 16/0, Olive or UTC 70 Denier Olive or Danville 6/0, Olive

WEIGHT: .010 Lead or Lead Sub. to .025

ABDOMEN: 1 strand UV Polar Chenille, Olive / 1 strand Micro Polar Chenille, Tan

LEGS: Barred Crazy Legs, Golden Yellow/Pearl Flake

BEAD: Slotted Tungsten, Gold, sized to hook

Yep, it works… Moo on the Willowemoc…7.04.15

SILI STONE (Black) – Williams/Variant …

HOOK: Umpqua – (Hanak) C400BL, #8 – #14, Knapek J (#4-#6)

THREAD: Veevus 16/0, Black, UTC 70 Denier, Black or Danville 6/0, Black

WEIGHT: .010 Lead or up to .025 Lead Sub.

ABDOMEN: Micro Polar Chennile, Black

LEGS: Sili Legs, Black/Red, Flake

BEAD: Faceted, Slotted Tungsten Bead, Black, sized to hook

A Loren Williams pattern with the SBS HERE…

Materials for SILI & TWO TONE STONE(s)…

SILI STONE(s) & TWO TONE STONE(S)…

QUILL GORDON EMERGER –  Stenström/Variant…

HOOK: TMC 2499SP-BLB, #14

THREAD: Gordon Griffith Sheer, 14/0, Black

SHUCK: Zelon, Brown

ABDOMEN: Stripped Peacock, Natural

RIB: UTC Wire, Red, x-sm – * coat body with UV Resin

UNDER WING: Mallard Flank dyed Woodduck or Woodduck

OVER WING: CDC Dark Dun

THORAX Hare’s Ear Plus, #.2 Natural Dark

This tie is based on David Stenström’s Red Quill Emerger HERE. Many of his other excellent patterns may be found HERE.

Materials QUILL GORDON EMERGER…

QUILL GORDON EMERGER(s)…

For places like this too…the Farmington River….

UV2 SS HENDRICKSON EMERGER – Korn/ Variant…

HOOK: TMC 206BL, #12-#14

THREAD: UTC 70 denier, Fl. White, Body – Uni. 8/0 Lt. Olive, Head

SHUCK: Zelon, Amber

ABDOMEN/THORAX: 80/20 Mix UV2 Hendrickson, Pink / UV2 BWO – blend with comb (see Apple Caddis below)

WING: Snowshoe Hare, LT. Dun

LEGS: * (not pictured with materials) CDC, Ligt Dun

I  “borrowed” this pattern from Doug Korn and used Snowshoe Hare instead of CDC…

Materials UV2 SS HENDRICKSON EMERGER…

UV2 SS HENDRICKSON EMERGER(s)…

BAT WING E/C LIGHT CAHILL – Petersen/Variant…

HOOK: Daiichi 1130, #12 – #16

THREAD: Tiemco 16/0, Lt. Cahill

SHUCK: Zelon, Kinky Ginger mixed with 4-6 Mallard Fibers

ABDOMEN: Goose Biot, Lt. Cahill

THORAX: Light Tan Beaver

BATWING: Fluff from the base of a Dun Hen Neck feather, tied cover side up and pulled over the thorax and bead

BEAD: Killer Caddis Diamond Bead, SM

I particularly like Tracy Petersen’s  Bat Wing series of Mayflies to match “clingers”…the May Fly that exits it’s shuck, at the bottom of the water column and emerges as an adult. The original pattern calls for the use of a hen neck feather, not partridge and there are plenty of hen necks around to match almost any May Fly wing… Grade #2 or #3 works fine…

Materials BAT WING E/C LIGHT CAHILL…

BAT WING E/C LIGHT CAHILL(s)…

UV2 DARK BLUE SEDGE – Matthews-Weilenmann/Variant …

HOOK:  TMC 100BL, #12 – #16

THREAD:  * – (not Pictured) UTC 70 Denier, FL. White , Body – UTC 70 Denier, Dark Gray, Head

SHUCK: Sparkle Emerger Yarn, Amber – looped

ABDOMEN: 70/30 Mix UV2 Fine & Dry, Adams Grey / Davy Wotton SLF Standard Dark Green, Chopped

HACKLE: CDC Dark Dun, behind wing

WING: Yaerling Elk, Dun

THORAX/HEAD: Abdomen Dubbing Mix

This is another slightly tweaked version of Craig Matthew’s X-Caddis to imitate the Dark Blue Sedge (Caddis) . I will be getting around to tying up some of the Safet style Caddis patterns for Michael to use, when I put another box together for him… later this year…

Materials UV2 DARK BLUE SEDGE…

UV2 DARK BLUE SEDGE(s)…

MOO is already smiling…

CHIMARRA NANO-T CADDIS LARVA – Grobert/Variant…

HOOK: TMC 2488, #18 – #20

THREAD: 12/0 Nano Silk, Abdomen – Danville 6/0, #47 Tobacco Brown, Head

OVER ABDOMEN: Micro Tubing, Orange

This is a simple Larva to imitate the CHIMARRA , or Black Caddis…Matt Grobert ties it HERE…

Where Michael might expect to see the above Caddis Larva moving around in the next week or so…later further North…

Materials CHIMARRA NANO-T CADDIS LARVA…

CHIMARRA NANO-T CADDIS LARVAE…

Dewitt work box…coming along…

S-HARE N’ CDC RX  APPLE CADDIS –  Matthews/Variant…

HOOK: Daiichi 1110, #14 – #18

THREAD: VEEVUS 16/0, Tan

SHUCK: Sparkle Emerger Yarn, Clear (White) – looped

ABDOMEN: * – Not Pictured – Stalcup’s BWO Micro Fine Dub 70% / Fine and Dry Chartreuse, 30% * combed to mix

UNDER WING: MP Select, Cream

OVER WING: Snowshoe Hare, Tan

Another revision of the  Craig Matthews X Caddis with a looped shuck , CDC Under Wing and using Snowshoe Hare…the photo below shows how I mix the Abdomen dubbing by combing the fibers together…

Combs used…

MOO water…on the Beaverkill…

Materials S-HARE N’ CDC RX APPLE CADDIS…

S-HARE N’ CDC RX APPLE CADDIS #14 & #16…

ICED APPLE CADDIS PUPA – Strolis/Variant …

HOOK: TMC 2499SPBL #10 – #14

THREAD: UTC 70 Denier, Chartreuse

WEIGHT: .010 Lead or .015 Lead Sub.

ABDOMEN: Mix – 60/20/20 Ice Dub, Caddis Green / Senyo’s Laser Dub, LT. Olive / Ice Dub, Chartreuse

WING STUBS: Sparkle Emerger Yarn, Tan

THORAX: SLF Spikey Squirrel Dub, Dark Brown – * Tease out the entire fly with velcro or a .30cal. bore brush and trim

BEAD: Copper Tungsten, sized to hook

This is a variant on Rich Strolis’ Classified Caddis , tied using a bead…he says it works, real good…

Materials ICED APPLE PUPA…

ICED APPLE PUPA(s)…

TAN TP CLACKA CADDIS -Matthews/Wiese Variant…

HOOK: Daiichi 1110, #14 – #16

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

SHUCK: Zelon, Golden Ginger

ABDOMEN: Emergence Dub. #.42, Than – Nature’s Spirit

LOOPED WING: Trigger Point Int’l Fibers (Puglisi), PMD

THORAX: 80/20 Mix, #.35 Medium Hare’s Ear / #.10 Yellow – both from Ligas

HACKLE: Whiting Ginger Variant

A pattern using elements from Craig Matthews (Blue Ribbon Flies) and Walter Wiese (Parks Fly Shop) to imitate the tan Hydropsyche Caddis. Eastern Fly Fishing folks have finally started to get hip to the effectiveness of the Iris Caddis, developed by Craig Matthews…

Materials TAN TP CLACKA CADDIS…

TAN TP CLACKA CADDIS #14 & #16…

MOO & Aimee’s Rods…on the Beaverkill…

S.I.L. JIG (Something In Light)…

HOOK: Umpqua – (Hanak) C400BL, #12-#16

THREAD: Gordon Griffith Sheer 14/0, Brown

WEIGHT: .010 Lead or .015 Lead Sub.

ABDOMEN: Peacock Quill, Natural – * Coat with UV Resin

HACKLE: Hen Neck Feather, Ginger/Brown

THORAX: Chopped AZ Diamond Hair, Tan

HOT SPOT: Datum Glo-Brite #5, Hot Orange

BEAD: Slotted Silver Tungsten Bead, sized to hook

A generic Anchor, attractor pattern, for Michael, in a light coloring…

Materials S.I.L. JIG…

Well, that worked for Michael on the Croton on his Birthday (9.02.2018)…

Aimee holds it on a rock…

S.I.L. JIGS…#14 & #16…

S.I.D. JIG  (Something In Dark)…

HOOK: Umpqua (Hanak) C400BL, #10 – #14

THREAD: VEEVUS 14/0, Rusty Brown

WEIGHT: .010 Lead or .015 Lead Sub.

TAIL: Coq De Leon, Dark Speckled

ABDOMEN: Pheasant Tail Fibers, Rusty Brown

RIB: Rust Brown Micro Tubing

HACKLE: Hen Neck Furnace Feather

THORAX: 70/30 Mix SLF Spikey Squirrel, Dk. Brown / Chopped AZ Simi Seal, Canadian Brown

HOT SPOT: Datum Glo-Brite #5, Hot Orange

BEAD: Slotted Gold Tungsten, sized to hook

This is the second of two anchor Jig Attractors I put in the box for Michael to use in conjunction with another pattern, trailing off the bend of this fly…The hackle on this pattern simulates movement and is similar to Lance Egan’s Dart Series of Jig flies…

Materials S.I.D. JIG…

S.I.D. JIG(s) – #10 & #14…

BUG destination…

HENDRICKSON EMERGER (DK) – Cherundolo/Variant…

HOOK: Daiichi 1130, TMC 2487, #12 -#14

THREAD: Veevus 16/0, Brown

SHUCK: Zelon, Dark Dun, mix in a few partied fibers grey and black

ABDOMEN: Goose Biot, Brown

WING: MP Select CDC, Cream

THORAX: 80/20 Mix Hendrickson Dubbing #.27 – Nature’s Spirit / Tri LObal Antron, #.27 Tan – Nature’s Spirit

LEGS: Partridge

This is a variant on a George Cherundolo pattern. His various patterns may be viewed HERE.

Materials HENDRICKSON EMERGER (DK)…

HENDRICKSON EMERGERS (DK)….

TUNG. HENDRICKSON NYMPH (DK) …

HOOK: TMC 2302, Daiichi 1260, #12 – #14

WEIGHT: .010 Lead or .015 Lead Sub.

THREAD: Veevus 16/0, Dark Brown

TAIL: Coq De Leon, Medium Speckled

ABDOMEN: Turkey Biot, Brown

RIB: Krystal Flash, Black

THORAX: Ice Dub, UV Brown

WINGCASE: Black Stretch Flex over Holographic Mylar Motion 1/32″, Black – * Coat with UV Resin

LEGS: Speckled Hen Saddle, Amber – V-notched

BEAD: Black Tungsten sized to hook

Something really dark with a bit of flash to imitate this crawler nymph. They do not swim real well so Michael can drift this guy along the bottom prior to a hatch…and hence, the black wingcase…

Materials TUNG. HENDRICKSON NYMPH (DK)…

TUNGSTEN HENDRICKSON NYMPHS (DK)…

Ally is out doing “recon” today (1.12.15)…somewhere in Vermont…

This Battenkill River hatch chart should provide a pretty good idea of what will be in the box:

From troutu.com

TB CDC X CADDIS – Grannom Caddis (Brachycentrus americanus) Matthews/ Variant…

HOOK: TMC 103BL, #13 – #15…

THREAD: Veevus 16/0, Brown

SHUCK: Copper Brown Antron mixed with 6 strands of Pearl Midge Flash

ABDOMEN: 60/40 Mix HareTron, Dark Brown/#.18 Dark Honey – Nature’s Spirit

UNDER WING: CDC Brown Olive

OVER Wing: Coastal All Purpose Deer Hair (Dark Tips)

This is a generic Brown Caddis for Michael to use. It may also be tied in a number of different colors to match the various Caddis that are present in the East…Dette Trout Flies, in Roscoe, NY offers a bunch of them…

Materials TB CDC X CADDIS…

TB CDC X CADDIS Team…

BLUE QUILL EMERGER (DNA) – Doug Korn/Variant…

HOOK: Daiichi 1250, #16- #18, Gamakatsu 13U, #16 – #20

THREAD: Tiemco 16/0, Dark Brown

SHUCK: Sparkle Emerger Yarn, Gray

ABDOMEN: DNA Holo Fusion, Brown – * Coat with Hard As Hull for durability

WING/LEGS: Trouthunter CDC, Dark Dun

This is a Doug Korn pattern. Doug lives in the East but spends a good deal of the Summer in Montana designing and tying flies for Park’s Fly Shop in Gardiner, MT. His site has many excellent fly patterns His tie is here.

Materials BLUE QUILL EMERGER (DNA)…

BLUE QUILL EMERGERS (DNA)…

Here is the first…

MARCH BROWN EMERGER – Boyle/Variant…

HOOK: Umpqua (Hanak) C300BL, #10 – #12

THREAD:Danville, 6/0, Tan

SHUCK: Brown Zelon

ABDOMEN: March Brown Emerger Dub – Nature’s Spirit

RIB: UTC Chartreuse wire, SM

WING: Trouthunter CDC, Cream, looped

THORAX: Tan Sow Scud Dubbing

HACKLE: Partridge, Brown-ish feather

This is a simple March Brown pattern by North Carolina tyer, Caleb Boyle that appeared in the Summer 2013 issue of Fly Tyer Magazine. More patterns that mimic RHITHROGENA, that I use, may be found HERE.

Materials MARCH BROWN EMERGER…

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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RHITHROGENA (March Brown) Part 2 – ZONED…

In my first piece on March Brown Emergers HERE, I neglected to mention three other soft hackle patterns that are very effective for this hatch. I use all three:

MARCH BROWN FLYMPH

PARTRIDGE AND ORANGE

GROUSE AND BROWN

Hook: 2x Stout or 1X Fine

THREAD: Brown Gossamer Pearsall’s Silk

HACKLE: Grouse

BODY: Silk

THORAX: Hare’ Mask Fur, # 2

I like the Alec Jackson North Country hooks in # 11- # 17 for all three patterns.

Some anglers are of the school of thought that fishing the March Brown hatch can be a “hit or miss” proposition. Fortunately, that has not been my experience. On most Spring days, in the areas that I Fly Fish, on the Eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada mountains, they are most often encountered between 1:00-3:00 PM. Warm days can tighten the hatch period and cloudy, overcast and drizzly days may prolong the emergence till later in the day.

 

Michael on the Upper Owens River…perfect weather…not an optimum location for March Browns…a meandering meadow flow with a limited rocky bottom…

The following patters are intended as an addition to, rather than a replacement for, the traditional soft hackle flies.All are suggestions from gentlemen who are much more gifted and experienced than myself. All are for use in the zone between the bottom of the water column and the surface…

 

The CREW…

R. Morrisoni and R. Hageni Emerger, Knopp and Cormier…

HOOK: TMC 3761, # 12-#16, Daiichi 1560, #12-#16

THREAD: Danville 6/0, #47, tobacco brown or brown

WEIGHT: 10- 15 turns of lead wire or sub., diameter of hook shank

TAIL: Dark Dun hen hackle fibers

RIB: Working thread

BODY: Purple and black fur dubbing, mixed

UNDER/WING: Dark tan Zelon

WING: Brown deer hair, tied short

This pattern may be tied with less weight and the appropriate amount of weight may be added to the leader to meet existing conditions and the area of the column that the imitation is being taken. The Zelon under/wing is an addition I have added based on Craig Matthews research on emerging patterns for Epeorus Albertae…a clinger mayfly that also emergers sub-surface…present dead drift or swung…

 

 

SHUCKED SWIMMING MAY – SHANE STALCUP

HOOK: TMC 2312 #12-#16

THREAD: Danville 6/0, # 47, Tobacco Brown

TAIL/SHUCK: Brown deer hair and Olive/Brown Zelon

RIB: Lagartun Fine Wire

BODY: Turkey biot, Callibaetis

BACK STRAP: Brown deer hair

UNDER/WING: Tan Zelon or Tan Ice Dub

WING: Mottled Brown Medallion sheeting (Hareline) – Coat of Flexament on inside

BEAD: Copper, sized to hook

THORAX: Stalcup’s Micro Fine dubbing, Tan

LEGS: Mottled Brown Partridge

I have always liked Shane Stalcup’s patterns. It can be a little bit intimidating to tie with medallion sheeting until one gets the hang of how to cut, twist, shape and pull back this material. This pattern would qualify as a wet fly…it is meant to be fished as one…cast quartering upstream and let the fly swim down and across…

SHUCKED SWIMMING MAY – SHANE STALCUP…tilted view…

Michael in a good location to use the above fly…in a long pool running out of fast riffle water on the lower Owens River…

SHORT WING EMERGER MARCH BROWN…

HOOK: TMC 2312, #12-#16

THREAD: Lagartun 70 Denier, Rusty Brown

TAIL: Lemon Wood Duck fibers

RIB: Lagartun oval gold tinsel, fine

BACK STRAP: Brown Scud back

ABDOMEN: Hare’s Ear # 2 -between the eyes on the mask

THORAX: Hare’s Ear # 3 – crown on the mask

WINGS: Matched natural Mallard sections, inside coated with flexament

LEGS: Mottled Brown Hen

This pattern is based on the Rene’ Harrop design for the Pink Albert Short Wing Emerger for Epeorus Albertae…works for him…works for me…

SHORT WING EMERGER MARCH BROWN…Tilted view…

BAT WING MARCH BROWN EMERGER…

HOOK: TMC 2487, #12 -#16, Daiichi 1130, #12-#16, Mustad c49s, # 12-#14

THREAD: Danville 6/0, #47 tobacco brown

BEAD: Glass, small, rootbeer

TAIL: Lemon Wood Duck fibers

ABDOMEN: Natural Pheasant tail

RIB: Wapsi, copper/brown, small

THORAX: Hare’s Ear # 3 -from the crown

WING: Fluffy bottom from Ginger Variant Hen Neck stem, pulled over and tied off

A Tracy Peterson pattern that can be adapted to almost any Mayfly. I use this design for Baetis and PMD’s. It is one of my favorite patterns and I have not found running water where it does not produce. Fish it deep or off the bend of a dun or the next pattern…

WARREN EMERGER March Brown…Front view

HOOK: TMC 100 #12-#16, or your favorite dry…this is a Partridge E1A

THREAD: Danville 6/0, # 47, tobacco brown

SHUCK: Cream Antron or Zelon

RIB: Micro tubing, rust

BODY: Olive/Brown dubbing… I mixed Nature’s Spirit # 34 and Fly Rite # 10

WING: Snow Shoe Rabbit foot, Tan or Dun, pulled over thorax, tied off, cut and fanned into a 180 degree arc

WARREN EMERGER March Brown…
A Schollmeyer and Leeson design that uses Snow Shoe hare instead of deer hair…this is a fly I can hang the other four off of. I tie a lot of these to mimic different emerging Mayflies…they all work and I have REALLY come to appreciate the qualities of this material over CDC for wings, loops and dubbing...It is suggested by the designers, that this pattern be tied on a straight hook so that it wil float in the surface film properly…

My son, Michael, “hogs” some of my favorite pool, early in the morning, on the Lower Owens River…

Here are some additional links on March Brown Mayflies:

WESTFLY

TROUTNUT

NEXT: More Baetis/Bwo’s for Spring and UV Chewee Skin Caddis…

PT/TB

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