Paul's February 2023 Bonus Fly of the Month

 Slim Grizzly Nymph

Hook:  Firehole Sticks 718 Size #14.

Bead:  3 mm Gold Tungsten bead.

Tying Thread:   UTC 70 Denier Olive Thread.

Rib:  Ultra Wire Sculpin Olive Brassie Size.

Body:  Peacock Krystal Flash.

Fly Back/Tail:  Pheasant Tail Fibers.

Wingcase: Nymph Skin.

Legs:  Olive Grizzly Hackle.

Thorax:  Olive Brown Ice Dub

Finish:  UV Resin

This is a great all round nymph.  Tied in smaller sizes it’s a great imitation for Olive May flies. 

To tie this fly start your thread behind the bead.  Making some securing wraps of thread (8-10), advance your thread ¼ down the hook shank.  Cut off the butt end of your thread.  You are now going to tie in your Wire Rib.  After you secure it, wrap down the hook shank to the bend creating a slim even profile.  Bring your thread back up behind the bead.  Next, tie in 2 pieces of Peacock Krystal Flash.  Wrap them down the hook shank similar to the fly rib.  Now bring your thread back up behind the bead to your original tie in point.

Wrap your Krystal Flash body material forward with ‘touching’ wraps.  Tie it off at the original tie in point and cut off the butt end.  Next, prepare 5-6 Pheasant Tail Fibers for your fly back and tail.  Tie them in with the tips rearward at the original tie in point.  Guestimate the length of the tail, keeping all the fibers on top of the hook shank.  Now wrap your rib forward while making sure the Pheasant Fibers remain on top.  Tie the rib off at the original tie in point and ‘helicopter’ off the butt end.  Trim off your excess Pheasant Fibers. 

Next tie in your Nymph Skin wing pad.  The fly thorax size behind the bead should be approximately a ‘bead length’.  Your wing pad should lay rearward.  With your thread create a smooth base for your thorax.  Now tie in your Olive Grizzly Hackle legs by the butt end of the feather.  Dub your Ice Dub thorax leaving your thread behind the bead.  Palmer your hackle forward and tie it off behind the bead.  Usually, 2 ½ to 3 wraps of hackle is all that is needed.  Clip off the remaining portion of feather.  With your scissors trim off the hackle on the top of the fly.  Now bring your ‘wing pad’ forward and tie it off behind the bead.  Clip off the excess material.  Whip finish and cut off your thread.  Place a drop of UV Resin on the top of your wing pad.  Cure it with your UV light and your done. 

The Fly Fiend has a great video on how to tie this fly Below:

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