Post by brentkelley on Jul 22, 2007 21:22:14 GMT -5
Hook- Daiichi 1130 #14 – 20
Thread- Rusty Dun 8/0
Tail (shuck)- Orange Antron
Abdomen- Goose Biot, color to match natural nymph
Wing and case- Dun colored CDC Oiler Puff
Thorax- Golden Olive Dubbing or color to match natural sub-imago
Tying notes:
This is a fairly straightforward fly to tie, even though it looks unusual at first glance. Getting the oiler puff in correctly is the tough part but it is quite simple. Tie in the puff by the base facing rearward after completing the abdomen wraps. Dub the thorax and then pull the CDC fibers over the top of the thorax and tie the tips down just behind the hook eye. Generally I wrap a few times in front of it to cock the feather upward, but using a double whip finish will provide enough bulk as well.
Many anglers disparage the use of biots for bodies because they tend to tear and shred. This can be abated somewhat by placing a little head cement on the thread base just before wrapping the biot down. The wet cement adheres to the biot and provides additional strength.
The fly is based on both the “buzzer” style and also suspender midges, owing a more than a little inspiration to both. This is a generic mayfly emerger pattern that I tie in many different colors and sizes to match specific hatches. Select an abdomen color to match the nymph and a thorax color to match the sub-imago coloration. Not all mayfly nymphs hang down in the water as the sub-imago breaks out of the nymphal shuck, but many do and this fly works well for those.
The fly will need to be wetted well before it orients itself properly in the water. The desired position is for the wing to stick above the surface (just barely, though) and for the abdomen to hang directly down below. When possible, fish this to rising fish and place it directly in the feeding lane.