Saturday, February 12, 2011

Tying the Yellow Stimulator

Tying the Yellow Stimulator

The Stimulator is one of the best attractor dry flies around. Stimulators are extremely versatile. Use them as alone or with a dropper. Kudos to Randall Kaufmann for a great pattern.

For Black Hills Fishing the best sizes are a size 12 for a searching fly or for use with a dropper, or sizes 16-18 for use during hatches of little yellow sally stoneflies.

Great fished in sizes 6 down to size 18.

Tying Pheasant Tail Nymphs

 Troth's Pheasant Tail Nymph

The Pheasant Tail Nymph is one of the most widely used nymphs on trout streams throughout the world, and for good reason. This fly is one of the most productive flies of all time.

This version is tied in the newer american style. Al Troth is widely credited with creating this version of the pheasant tail nymph.

Great fished in sizes 12 down to size 20 or 22. 



Flashback Pheasant Tail Nymph




Soft Hackled Pheasant Tail Nymph

Monday, February 7, 2011

Tying the Adult Cranefly



Cranefly Adult

Craneflies are often overlooked by trout anglers as a food source. Craneflies, both in their larval form and their adult form, can be very abundant. On our local waters I have had tremendous luck the past several seasons fishing both the larva and the adults.

This adult pattern came about after watching two large rainbows fight over an cranefly that was skittering down a riffle on our local tailwater. I tied up a couple of these and caught several fish on the next outing.

On this video I used 210 UTC thread because my bench was such a mess that I couldn't find my bobbin with white 120 UTC thread. It was a bit too bulky at the front of the fly. Use 140 denier.

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Tying the Hot Spot Nymph


For the past several months this pattern has been very effective on my home waters of Rapid Creek. Where I fish it is best tied in sizes 14-16 This pattern is well suited to use in a Spanish or French nymphing rig.

Feel free to alter the body color and change the color of the hot spot. I have had good luck with a black body and a purple thorax, as well as a black body with an orange thorax.

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