Paul's June 2023 Fly of the Month

 Green Caddis Nymph

Hook:  Size #12-#14 or Curved Nymph Hook of Choice. 

Bead:   Black Nickel Tungsten to match hook size.

Hotspot at Rear of Fly:  Perdigon tinsel in Blue or Silver.

Thread/Underbody:  Chartreuse or Green ‘Stomach Small’ Vevus Thread.

Over-body:  Synthetic Transparent Nymph Skin or Quill coated with UV Resin

Legs:  Partridge Fibers.

Collar:  Dark Rabbit or Squirrel Dubbing.

 

I tied and fished a similar fly on the Housatonic & Farmington Rivers.  I did quite well with it.  This is an improved version of the fly that is extremely durable.  It’s an easy fly to tie with the one drawback, there’s not substitute for the Synthetic Transparent Nymph Skin or Quill’.  So it’s something you have to have in your fly tying supplies.

To tie this fly, place your Bead on the hook and hook in the vice.  Take 4-5 securing wraps behind the bead, then cut off your tag end.  Wrap approximately 1/3 down the bend of the hook.  Tie in your Transparent Nymph Skin or Quill.  Next tie in your Perdigon Blue or Silver tinsel.  Take 3 touching wraps forward and tie it off.  Cut off the tag end.  Now, wrap your Transparent Skin or Quill using touching wraps forward.  End it behind the bead and cut off the tag end.  Coat the body with UV Resin and cure it. 

You are now going to tie in your Partridge Fibers for legs.  Take 4-5 fibers and tie them in on one side right at the bead tie in point.  They should extend half way down the body.  Now do the same with the other side, again tying in 4-6 fibers.  Finally, you are going to dub your collar of dark Rabbit or Squirrel Dubbing.  Create a slim dubbing noodle, then wrap it approximately 3-4 times behind the bead.  Tie off your thread and cut off the butt end.  Your done.

Lucian Vasies 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 .

Paul's May 2023 Bonus Fly of the Month

 Tups Indespensable

Hook:  Mustad 3906B Size #12 or #14 or Wet Fly Hook of                    choice. 

Thread:  Danville 6/0 Yellow.

Tail:  Blue Dun Hackle Fibers.

Rib:  Fine Gold or Copper Wire.

Body:  Yellow Floss.

Thorax:  Pink Rabbit Dubbing

Hackle/Collar:  Blue Dun Hen Hackle.  

This is one of my favorite wet flies for suphur hatches.  It’s an old & traditional pattern that’s fairly easy to tie. 

To tie this fly, start your thread behind the eye.  Make some securing wraps and cut off the tag end.  Bring your thread down to the bend of the hook.  Prepare some Blue Dun Hackle Fibers (5-6) for the tail.  Tie them in.  They should be about the length of the shank.  After your tail is secured, advance your thread ¾ up the hook shank.  Next, tie your Fine Gold or Copper Wire, wrapping it down to the bend.  Bring your thread back up to the ¾ point where you tied in your wire.  Tie in your Yellow Floss using touching wraps as you go down to the bend.  You want to create a smooth underbody for your fly.  Bring your thread back up to the ¾ point.

Wrap your Floss forward, making touching wraps.  Tie it off at the ¾ point.  Cut off the tag end.  Now, counter wrap your Wire, using evenly spaced wraps to create a segmented body.  Tie off and cut off the tag end of your Wire.

Next, dub a thin ‘noodle’ of Pink Rabbit Dubbing for your thorax.  Usually 7-10 wraps will be enough.  Do not overdub your thorax and leave enough room behind the eye for your Hackle.  Prepare your Blue Dun Hen Hackle.  Fold back the hackle fibers leaving the tip exposed for your tie in point.  With the tip extending beyond the hook eye, and the feather lying flat on top of the shank, tie it in with securing wraps.  Once it’s tied in cut off the tip.  Using hackle pliers, wrap your Hackle.  3-4 wraps are all that’s needed.  Tie it off and cut off the tag end.  Whip finish your fly. 

Hughie Graves 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 .