May-Midge Cripple Fly Tying Video

Posted on March 4th, 2021

We tied the May-Midge as something of an experiment prior to the 2019, intending it to combine attributes of midge patterns like the Griffith’s Gnat while maintaining the overall silhouette of tiny, sparse mayflies. Our goal with this fly was to come up with something that would fool the spooky, lazily-rising fish we often see in the morning in flat water in late summer and early fall. These fish seldom eat any one thing in particular, but are feeding on a mixture of midges and the duns of three or four species of mayflies, as well as the occasional odd ant, mayfly spinner, and other “schmutz.” The May-Midge proved extremely effective in this role this season, particularly in the Lamar Drainage, where it turned out several very large fish on lower Slough Creek that were turned off by larger and/or more heavily-dressed flies.

Note: This fly is intended for use in slow water, particularly big eddy lines or places with many complicated micro-currents. It should not be used in choppy water, as it won’t float well in chop.

Recipe

Hook: #16-22 1x short, 1x fine emerger hook.

Thread #1 and Abdomen: Claret Veevus Body Quill (I called it wine in the video).

Tail/Shuck: Gray Sparkle Emerger Yarn or similar.

Thread #2: 8/0 or 10/0 wine.

Wing: White Widow’s Web or similar synthetic yarn.

Hackle: Grizzly saddle, tied sparse.

Thorax: UV Brown Ice Dub.

Other Colors: Light olive, black, copper, gray (use alternate abdomen material on gray, as there is no gray Body Quill). Change threads and dubbing to match desired fly color. Tail, wing, and hackle do not change.

Fuzz Bastard Prince Nymph Fly Tying Video

Posted on March 4th, 2021

I developed this nymph on and mostly for the Gibbon, but it’s a good choice anytime you’re looking for a changeup from a conventional Prince. Fish it either under a big bushy dry or in a bobber or Euro-nymphing rig.

Note that it was originally called a Hula Princess and this is the name given in the video. The pattern also works well tied in traditional Hare’s Ear, Pheasant Tail, olive, tan, and other colors.

Hook: Any standard-length jig nymph hook, #12-18. Here, #16.

Bead: Gold slotted tungsten to match hook. Here 3/32″.

Thread: 8/0 black.

Shuck: Short tuft of crinkled ginger synthetic yarn.

Rib: Small to medium gold Ultra Wire, here Brassie.

Abdomen: 2-4 strands of peacock herl, depending on hook size and herl quality. Here 3 strands are used.

Wing: Tuft of cream or white crinkled synthetic yarn, clipped Serendipity-style.

“Hackle:” Brown dubbing blend of your choice, tied loop-style and if necessary trimmed to length. Here brown acrylic and pheasant tail Ice Dub are used, but squirrel, hare’s ear, or other nymph dubbings would also work.

Caddis Cripple Fly Tying Video

Posted on March 4th, 2021

Caddis Cripple

New tying vid: Caddis Cripple

While this color is intended for use on the Firehole River, where it matches the crucial June and September White Miller or Nectopsyche caddis, a few color tweaks makes this pattern match any caddis you wish, and it also makes a good low-riding attractor dry for summer. Tie them in olive-brown for the upcoming Mother’s Day Caddis Hatch, imminent on the Yellowstone & Madison!

Recipe

Hook: Short shank dry, #12-20 (especially #14-16). Here, #16.

Thread: 8/0 to match or contrast overall color tones of the fly. Here, cream.

Body: Dubbing of your choice. Here, golden Arizona Synthetic Peacock. Keep the body sparse and rather scraggly.

Wing and Head: Widow’s Web or similar hydrophobic synthetic. Here, beige. Typical “realistic” colors are caddis tan and light tan. Typical “attractor” colors are white, polar bear, and beige.

Hackle: 4-5 turns of saddle hackle, trimmed under the hook. Here, barred light ginger.