Gartside Soft Hackle Fly Tying Video
Posted on March 4th, 2021
The Gartside Soft Hackle Streamer is a classic marabou and soft hackle streamer developed by Jack Gartside. This version is made using chickabou feathers, which allows for the pattern to be tied in much smaller sizes.
The same tying procedure used here also works on the large Alaskabou series and similar marabou steelhead and coho salmon flies. Just use large (#2/0 to #2) steelhead hooks, swap the chickabou for much larger marabou plumes, and add more flash.
Hook: 2xl nymph, #10.
Thread: Black 6/0.
Body Material: Olive-dyed chickabou (3 plumes total).
Flash: Rootbeer Krystal Flash.
Hackle: Brown-dyed grizzly hen.
Buttcrack Baetis Fly Tying Video
Posted on March 4th, 2021
The Buttcrack Baetis by Duane Redford is a small, rather unusual mayfly/midge attractor nymph popular these days on Colorado’s West Slope but worth fishing on any clear, heavily-pressured water where the fish eat small, slender bugs.
Hook: Standard scud, #16-22.
Bead: Copper or gold brass or tungsten to match wire color and hook size. Here, the #18 hook is matched with a 5/64″ bead. The bead is optional.
Thread: 8/0 or 10/0 in preferred body color. Here, brown. Purple and shades of olive are also good.
Tail: Coq-de-Leon or similar speckled game bird or chicken feather fiber.
Rib: Copper or gold wire, small to extra small.
Abdomen: Tying thread.
Wing Case: Split strip of .5mm or 1mm foam, usually white.
Flash: Mini flat braid or similar braided mylar in pearl or root beer colors.
Thorax: Ice Dub. Here rusty brown. Change color to match overall colorway of the fly.
Floss San Juan Worm
Posted on March 4th, 2021
This is my version of the Floss San Juan Worm (Sexi Worm, Flexi Worm, Flexi Floss Worm, etc.). This is an excellent pattern for low, clear water. In my neck of the woods, it works well on the Paradise Valley spring creeks in late winter and early spring.
Hook: #14-18 scud.
Bead: Gold brass to match hook size.
Thread: 8/0 red or to match body color. Other good colors are pink, worm brown, and red/black/brown.
Head: Red Flexi-Floss or similar spandex “leg” material, tied in front of the bead.
Tail: Same as head, tied in behind the bead and wrapped down the shank.
Body: Micro Tubing to match body color. Use “midge” tubing on #14.
Body Coating: Head cement, optional.