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.
Delektable Spanker Nymph Fly Tying Video
Posted on March 4th, 2021
Delektable Spanker Nymph: Introduction
Dan Delekta’s Lil Spanker and Big Spanker are red hot “guide flies” in southwest Montana. In essence, the Delektable Spanker Nymph series consists of Pheasant Tail and Lightning Bug variations tied with long flash legs and CDC collars. This particular color variant tied jig-style was my top-producing nymph on guided trips on the Yellowstone and Stillwater Rivers from the middle of August through about September 20 during the 2020 season. To learn more about Dan Delekta’s flies, visit this page and peruse his catalog.
I am now accepting bookings for the 2021 season. In fact I am already about 1/3 booked during the month of July, so if you’re looking to book a guided trip, it makes sense to get on the phone soon.
Video
Delektable Spanker Nymph: Recipe
Hook: 60-degree barbless standard jig, #12-18.
Bead: Slotted tungsten, here gold.
Thread: 8/0 To match or slightly contrast with body, here 8/0 light brown.
Tail: Speckled game bird or hackle, here medium pardo cod-de-leon.
Abdomen: Pheasant Tail fibers, Flashabou, or tinsel. Here holographic gold Flashabou.
Rib: Copper wire, here brown in Brassies size.
Wing Case: Tinsel, here medium opal Mirage.
Thorax: Peacock herl or flashy dubbing, here brown stone SLF dub.
Legs: Krystal Flash or Midge Krystal Flash, here tan Midge Krystal Flash.
Collar: CDC, here brown.