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.
Mayer’s Mini Leech
Posted on March 4th, 2021
Mayer’s Mini Leech and Discussion of New Fly Design
This one is a little different. I first tie a basic leech pattern, Mayer’s Mini Leech, then go through the steps I’ve taken to develop this basic idea into a different pattern imitating a small sculpin. This is the process I typically follow when designing new patterns, and I thought viewers might be interested in my mindset as I work out a new fly.
Here’s the basic pattern recipe:
Hook: 1x short, 1x strong scud, #12-16.
Bead (optional): Black or copper brass or tungsten to match hook size.
Thread: 6/0 or 8/0 to match overall fly color.
Underbody/Flash: One strand of Flashabou doubled back on itself at tie in, then wrapped forward. Good colors can match the wing or contrast it: olive, red, brown, etc.
Wing: Pine squirrel strip in leech, baitfish, or flesh colors. Good colors include: olive, black, rust, chocolate, wine, purple, tan, and gray.
Head: Single strand of ostrich herl to match wing.
I am still working out the sculpin derived from this fly (and don’t know if it will work), so no recipe for that one just yet.
Fishing Tips
In lakes, fish the fly either twitched or drifted under an indicator, or with a slow retrieve on a sink-tip line. In rivers, it can work dead-drifted under a large dry fly like a foam hopper, or as part of a nymph rig. Don’t hesitate to fish the pattern behind a larger streamer as your “second chance fly.”