Fly Tying Videos

Fly Tying Tutorial of the Week – Midge Body Baetis Nymph

Posted on October 27th, 2024

The Midge Body Baetis Nymph is representative of a simple, quick-to-tie, durable mayfly nymph I like. Somewhat resembling a WD-40, it uses Montana Fly Company’s Midge Body Thread for its abdomen, and in some cases even its tying thread. This pattern is best in #16–18 and can be tied in whatever colors you like: the golden-olive with a black rib here imitates Baetis, rust brown with a brown rib imitates PMD, red, black, purple, etc.

midge body baetis nymph over a pale blue background

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Fly Tying Tutorial of the Week – Thread Frenchie Stonefly Nymph

Posted on October 22nd, 2024

The Thread Frenchie Stonefly Nymph is something of a specialty bug for fishing small, deep pieces of holding water surrounded by shallower areas. When you need to get a stonefly nymph down to the strike zone quickly in pocket water or small, deep slots, look to a Thread Frenchie Stone.

Here in Yellowstone Country, I like to fish this pattern in two particular use cases: I have clients fish the pattern under indicators when floating fast, turbulent water such as Yankee Jim Canyon, and I personally use it in a modified Euro-nymphing rig in when chasing fall-run brown trout or spring-run rainbows.

thread frenchie stonefly nymph pictured in fly tying vise over a blue background

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Fly Tying Tutorial of the Week: Purple Hazy Cripple

Posted on October 15th, 2024

The Purple Hazy Cripple is our top dry fly on the Yellowstone River and in the Yellowstone region in general. While it’s most effective in sizes #16 through #18 as an attractor pattern and during sparse mayfly hatches from late August through April, it is also effective in larger sizes earlier in the summer, especially on rougher mountain streams.

We often fish this pattern in preference to “imitative” mayfly patterns, especially on rougher water like the Yellowstone River and its tributary the Stillwater, but it can also work even on gentle meadow streams such as Slough Creek.

purple hazy cripple dry fly in fly tying vise with dark background

The Purple Hazy Cripple is one of our top flies, and definitely our most productive dry fly overall. In fact it’s our go-to fly from late August through early October, period.


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