Synth Stimmy – Stimulator Variation

Posted on March 4th, 2021

Synth Stimmy

This is a good small to medium rough water attractor dry. With the abundant hackle clipped underneath, tight synthetic body materials that don’t absorb water, and synthetic wing, it is buoyant but floats low in the film. These features, along with the alternate hook used compared to the standard Stimulator, also make it float correctly every time and give it good hooking properties. To top it off, it’s even quick to tie.

Tie the Synth Stimmy in colors to match your favorite Stimulator (except yellow, alas, because the body material is not available in this color) or in other “attractor” or “imitator” colors.

Hook: 2xl curved shank nymph/hopper (Here MFC #7231), #10-16. Do not use standard Stimulator hooks.

Thread #1: MFC Midge Body thread OR Veevus Iridescent thread. Here, MFC Midge Body in golden olive.

Abdomen: One to several layers of thread #1, depending on hook size and material used. Note that the tying method varies depending on which material is used, particularly in small hook sizes. See the video for details on how to create the body using both materials.

Thread #2: 8/0, here light olive.

Body Hackle: Dry fly saddle secured at front of abdomen and palmered back to rear of abdomen. Here, grizzly dyed March Brown

Rib: Thread #1. See video for method.

Wing: MFC Widow’s Web or EP Trigger Point fibers. Here, cinnamon caddis EP.

Front Hackle: Dry fly saddle. Here, grizzly dyed March Brown.

Adhesive #1: Super glue over thread wraps securing wing butts and front hackle.

Head: Ice Dub. Here, olive.

Adhesive #2: Head cement or superglue.

Euroflash Nymph – Perdigon Variation

Posted on March 4th, 2021

The Euroflash is a variation on the Butano Perdigon distinguished by the addition of sparse legs and the fact the tungsten bead is buried in the fly’s thorax. It’s an effective, fast-sinking, technical mayfly nymph or midge pupa, whether you’re using Euro nymphing techniques, sight-nymphing, or fishing the fly under a hopper or indicator. Try it in various colors and #14-20.

Hook: 1x short 1x strong scud, #14-20 (especially #16-18).

Bead: Tungsten to match hook size and disappear somewhat in the thorax. This color is brown.

Thread: Dark brown 8/0 on this color, otherwise a dark color to match natural insects or rest of fly (black and dark brown are best).

Tail: Dark pardo coq-de-leon.

Abdomen: Holographic Flashabou, in this case olive. Other good colors are red, black, purple, and copper, but feel free to try assorted colors.

Wing Case: UTC opal tinsel, size medium or small.

Thorax: Tying thread and the bead (secure the bead with X-wraps).

Legs: A few strands of Fluoro-Fibre secured vee-style. On this color, use gray. Most other colors of the pattern are best with gray or dark brown.

Body Coating: UV-cure resin over entire fly except legs.

Parachute Midge Emerger

Posted on March 4th, 2021

Parachute Midge Emerger

Fish this one during afternoon midge hatches on Yellowstone area rivers, particularly in the winter and early spring. When doing this, look for slow walking-speed seams with foam. Fish this bug behind a more-buoyant and visible dry. I prefer #16 Purple Hazy Cripples or Trudes. The latter actually look like midge clusters due to the peacock body, particularly when skies are gray so the wing appears to be a buzz of movement over the fly.

You can also tie the pattern larger to serve as a dry chironomid in lakes. Fish it solo then, or even run a tiny beadhead under it on a short dropper.

This is a good one to tie for the late winter midges we often see in the afternoons. Quick too!

Recipe

Hook: #18-22 short shank dry fly (use #12-16 for chironomids in lakes).

Thread: 10/0 black. Change color to match the overall body color of the midges you’re imitating

Wing Post: White Widow’s Web or similar hydrophobic (poly) yarn.

Rib: Pearl Midge Krystal Flash.

Body: Fine black dubbing, or color to match your local midges.

Hackle: Grizzly, 3-4 turns on smaller sizes and 4-5 turns for chironomids.