Paul's April 2022 Bonus Fly of the Month

 Modified Hornberg

Hook:  Diachi 2220 Size #10 4X long streamer hook or similar.    

Thread:  Black. 

Under Body:  Lead wire.       Body:  Gold mylar braided tubing.

Wing:  Yellow dyed mallard.  

Hackle:  Grizzly hen.

Head:   Black thread.

 

This is someone’s super secret fly that I’ve had in my box and used for at least 25 years now.  I never listed it as a “Fly of the Month” out of thanks and respect to the individual that turned me onto it.  But I think it’s time now.   This particular variation is used a lot on trout streams in Massachusetts.  Traditionally, hornbergs are tied so that they can be fished either as a dry fly or fished as a streamer.   This modified design is for use as a streamer.   And boy is it effective, especially for rainbows.  I’ve caught a ton of browns on it too.   

 

Begin by applying a thread base across the hook shank.   Wrap the mid section with lead wire.  Cover with thread and lacquer.  Tie off and cut off thread.   Cut a piece of the mylar gold tubing to hook shank length.   Remove center cord and slip tubing over the hook shank.   Tie the tubing to the hook shank where the rear of the hook shank meets the bend.  Whip finish and cut off thread.  I usually use clear mono to do this but you can use any color thread. You can ‘ruffle’ out the trailing mylar strands.  Re-apply thread approximately ¼ of the hook shank length from the hook eye.  Tie in wing of yellow dyed mallard.  Tie in grizzly hen hackle.   Wrap hackle forward 4-5 turns.  Form head and tie off fly.   When fishing this fly dead drift it, twitch it, wet fly swing it, and strip it fast and furious.   It all works.  DEFINITELY USE IT IF THERE ARE RAINBOWS IN THE WATER!

 

If you have any questions about this fly or would like to submit a Fly of the Month, e-mail me at pdinice@frontier.com .  

Paul's April 2022 Fly of the Month

 The Katterman

Hook:  Mustad 94840 or 94833 Sizes #12 to #18. 

Thread:  Pearsalls gossamer white or Cream 6/0.

Tail:  Brown Hackle Fibers.  

Body:  Peacock Herl.

Hackle:  Brown Hackle Rib, palmered through the body. and fronted by White ‘Face’ Hackle.

 

This fly was designed and developed by famous Catskill Fly Tyer, Walt Dette.  It combines features several flies such as the Bivisable, the Renegade,and the Griffiths Gnat.  I’ve caught fish with it on all the CT rivers and it was one of my top dry flies that I used in Montana. 

 

To tie this fly start your thread behind the eye of the hook.  Wrap your thread down the hook shank to the bend.  Next, tie in 6-8 Brown Hackle Fibers.  The tail should be about the length of the hook shank.  Tie in your Brown Hackle Rib Feather by the butt.  I’ve seen this fly tied a couple different ways.  Sometimes the Brown and White Hackles are the same size.  Sometimes the Brown Hackle is undersized.  It’s really your preference.  I usually use a Brown Hackle that is slightly undersized for the hook I’m using.  Next, tie in 2-3 Peacock Herl Fibers.  Wrap the Peacock Herl forward to the ‘throat’ position leaving enough room for your White Hackle.  Palmer your Brown Hackle forward and tie it off at the throat.  Tie in your White ‘Face’ Hackle.  The hackle should be slightly longer than the Brown Hackle.  Make 4-5 wraps of the Hackle.  Tie it off, whip finish, and apply head cement. 

If you have any questions about this fly or would like to submit a Fly of the Month, e-mail me at pdinice@frontier.com .

Paul's March 2022 Bonus Fly of the Month

 Deb's Green Haze Caddis

Bead (Optional):  Size to match fly and color of choice.

Hook:  Fire Hole 718  or 317 Curved Caddis Hook Size #12 & #14. 

Thread:  12/0 Black Waxed or Orange.

Tail (Optional):  Pheasant Tail Fibers.

Rib:  Florescent Green Sempre Fli Flouro Bright, or Nylon Strech, or Florescent Green Wire.

Body:  8-10 Pheasant Tail Fibers.  

Thorax:  Peacock Herl.

Hackle:  Brown Hen or Grouse Hackle Fibers.

 

This is another fly great producing fly that can mimic a variety of hatches.  Although it’s name includes the term “nymph”, it’s more of a wet fly. It was originally designed for lake fishing but produces just as well in rivers and streams.   An easy tie that you have to carry with you.  This fly is really a killer variation of a Pheasant Tail Nymph.

 

You have a number of options when you tie this fly.  I tie some with beads, some without, almost all with tails.  Also, I find that using Florescent Green Sempre Fli Flouro, or Nylon Strech for a rib, gives a more visible segmentation.  Using green wire, however, results in a much more durable fly.  That’s the ribbing choice your faced with.

 

To tie this fly place your hook in the vice, start your thread and wrap it the length of the body down to the bend.  Bring your thread back up behind the eye.  Tie in your Florescent Green rib and wrap it down by bringing your thread back to the bend.  Next, prepare 8-10 Pheasant Tail Fibers for the Body.  Trim off the butt ends of the fibers to make sure they are flush.  Tie them in by the tips so that you can wrap them forward from the bend of the hook.  Wrap the body forward approximately 2/3rds of the hook shank.  You need to leave room for your Thorax and Hackle.  Tie off the Pheasant Tail Fibers and trim the butt ends.  Next, counter wrap your Green Rib along the length of the body.  Tie it off and trim off the butt end.  Take 2-4 fibers of Peacock Herl and tie them in at the front of the body.  Take 5-6 wraps forward leaving enough room (about an eye length) for your hackle.  Tie it off and trim off the butt end.  If I’m tying this fly on a size #12 hook I’ll use Grouse for the hackle.  If I’m tying it on a size #14 hook I’ll use Brown Hen.  Tie the hackle feather in by the base of the feather.  Take 2-3 wraps of the hackle feather, stroking the fibers towards the rear of the fly as you do that.  Tie it off and trim the excess feather.  Finally, create a tapered head with your thread, tie/whip finish it off and apply a finish of your choice.

 

A great instructional video by Deb Paskall can be found below:

 

If you have any questions about this fly or would like to submit a Fly of The Month I can be reached at 203 305-3850 or e-mail me at pdinice@frontier.com .