Tying the Last Chance Cripple Baetis (Blue Winged Olive)

Rene Harrop's fly patterns were developed with an experienced eye for detail. Proven on the Henry's Fork, one of the most demanding trout fisheries in the country.

The Last Chance Cripple series are great patterns for selective fish. We use this Baetis version on our local tailwater with great success.

Tie in sizes 16-22 for a Baetis (aka Blue Winged Olive) Cripple.

The pattern is easily adapted to imitate other mayfly species.

Thanks for watching!

more videos and tying materials available at: www.flyfishsd.com

Last Chance Cripple Material List:

Hook: Daiichi 1100 or Tiemco 100 size 16 to 22

Thread: Tiemco 16/0

Shuck: Spirit River Sparkle Yarn, Darlon, or Z-Lon

Tail: Wood Duck or Mallard Dyed Wood Duck

Abdomen: Stripped Peacock Herl, Turkey Biots, or Thread and Wire

Wing: 2-3 matched CDC feathers

Thorax: Nature’s Spirit Fine Natural Dubbing, Nature’s Spirit Emergence Dubbing, or Wapsi Superfine Dubbing

Hackle: Dun Dry Fly Hackle

Tying the Smoke Jumper

Smoke Jumper 

The Smoke Jumper fly is a popular pattern on Montana’s Bighorn River. The CDC winged emerger is a great all purpose emerger for midge and mayfly hatches. The color scheme of the fly can be altered to imitate the insect you are trying to imitate. Hatches that the Smoke Jumper fly is effective at imitating are midges, Baetis, and Pale Morning Duns.

You can tie the abdomen on the Smoke Jumper with several different materials- peacock herl, turkey biots, micro tubing, or thread with wire.

The wing on the Smoke Jumper is CDC (cul de canard). A high quality CDC makes a big difference on this fly. My preferred CDC is Petitjean Select CDC feathers. Lower quality feathers are not as full and don’t make as nice a wing.

Smoke Jumper Fly Materials

Hook: Daiichi 1130 or Tiemco 2487 size 16 to 20

Thread: Tiemco 16/0

Abdomen: Stripped Peacock Herl, Turkey Biots, or Thread and Wire

Wing: 2-3 matched CDC feathers

Thorax: Nature’s Spirit Fine Natural Dubbing, Nature’s Spirit Emergence Dubbing, or Wapsi Superfine Dubbing

Tying Barr's Tung Teaser

Barr's Tung Teaser Nymph

Barr’s Tung Teaser is an excellent all purpose nymph from John Barr. This pattern has become a staple in my box and the bins at the shop. We often fish it as the lead fly in a two fly nymph rig. This pattern combines the effective features of many popular nymphs- biot tails, epoxy back, hackle legs. Tie and fish in sizes 12-18.

Barr’s Tung Teaser Materials

Hook: Tiemco 3761 Size 12-18

Bead: Tungsten Bead sized to Hook

Thread: 70 Denier Ultra Thread

Tail: White Goose Biots

Rib: Gold or Copper Wire

Abdomen: Arizona Peacock Dubbing

Flashback: Flashabou Pearl

Wingcase: Thin Skin Mottled

Thorax: Arizona Peacock Dubbing

Legs: Partridge or India Hen

Epoxyback: Liquid Fusion, Clear Cure Goo, or 5 Minute Epoxy

Or, Purchase some Barr’s Tung Teasers already tied up and ready to fish…

Tying Hans' Cricket Fly

Tying the Hans' Cricket Fly 

Cricket fly patterns have become a staple in my summer fly selection. Bill Logan’s Big Secret Cricket has been a huge producer for me over the past 4 seasons. I recently began tying a variation of Hans’s Hopper to mimic a cricket. The resulting pattern, Hans’ Cricket fly, has been working very well on recent outings.

Materials:

Hook: Daiichi 1260 size 8-12

Thread: 140 Denier Black

Tail: Black/Red Flake Sili-legs

Body/Head: 2mm Black Foam

Abdomen/Thorax: Ice Dubbing

Legs:  Black/Red Flake Sili-legs

Antennae:  Black/Red Flake Sili-legs

Wing: Black Krystal Flash

Strike Indicator: Hot Pink Ice Dubbing

Tying the Sparkle Dun

Tying the Sparkle Dun


The Sparkle Dun, a comparadun style dry fly, is an extremely versatile pattern for imitating mayfly duns. By changing the size and color of the pattern, it is easy to mimic many species of mayflies.

Happy Tying!

Materials:

Sparkle Dun Materials (match color to mayfly species)

Hook: Tiemco 100 or Daiichi 1100 size 12-22

Wing: Nature’s Spirit Comparadun Deer

Tail/Shuck: Sparkle Yarn or Antron Yarn

Abdomen: Nature’s Spirit Fine Natural Dubbing

Tying the Foam Beetle Fly

Tying the Foam Beetle Fly

Materials:

Hook: Daiichi 1280
Thread: UTC 140 Denier
Body: 2mm foam
Underbody: Peacock or Black Ice Dub
Sighter: Orange 2mm Foam
Legs: Black Krystal Flash

The foam beetle fly pattern is easy to tie, but remains one of my top producers during the summer months. Trout love to eat beetles (and ants) that are blown into the water. I tie this pattern in sizes 12-18. Black is my best color, but i have had success with olive and brown versions.


Happy Tying!

Fly Tying with Hans- Ultra Violet Baetis Nymph

An epoxy back mayfly nymph imitation. The flashback on this nymph is made from Hareline Dubbin's Purple Haze Holographic Fibers. An excellent nymph to imitate Baetis mayflies. Tie in sizes 16-20. I used Clear Cure Goo for the epoxy back. After experimenting with CCG I discovered that the extra fine accessory tips are a must for applying the small amounts needed for epoxy backs on small nymphs.

Materials:

Hook: Daiichi 1560 size 16-18
Bead: Tungsten Sized to match
Thread: Tiemco 16/0 or 70 Denier UTC
Tail: Coq de Leon
Abdomen: Microtubing color to match natural- Olive, Mahogany, Brown
Flashback: Hareline Purple Haze Fibers
Abdomen: UV Ice Dubbing color to match natural
Legs: Black FluoroFiber
Epoxy Back: Clear Cure Goo UV Cured Resin

Happy Tying

Fly Tying Videos- Deep Purple Nymph

This simple to tie nymph has held a spot in my fly box for the last 3 seasons. Purple flies work extremely well in certain situations. For me this purple nymph works well in the spring and fall, especially when fish are keying in on Baetis mayfly nymphs. Tie in sizes 16-20.

Materials:

• Hook: Tiemco 2457 size 14-18
• Bead: Black Nickel Tungsten Bead
• Thread: Wapsi UTC 70 Denier
• Abdomen/Thorax: UV Purple Ice Dubbing
• Rib: Red Ultra Wire
• Soft Hackle: Starling

Happy Tying
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Send mail to flyfish@rapidnet.com with questions or comments.

Tying the Firebead Sowbug

This is a pattern that some crafty fly tier on the Bighorn River? came up with. It works like hotcakes in the spring, especially on tailwaters like the Bighorn. Tie it with a pink, tan, or gray body. Wapsi Sow-Scud Dubbing is the preferred dubbing. Ice dubbing would also make a great version of this fly- try UV Tan, UV Gray, or UV Shrimp Pink.


Materials:

• Hook: Tiemco 2457 size 14-18
• Bead: Orange Bead
• Thread: Wapsi UTC 70 Denier Red
• Abdomen/Thorax: Wapsi Sow Scud Dubbing
• Soft Hackle: Dun or White Hen Neck

Happy Tying

Fly Tying Videos- Egan's Rainbow Warrior

Lance Egan's Rainbow Warrior is an effective, easy to tie nymph pattern. It is especially effective on tailwater fisheries. We have had huge success with this pattern over the last two years. Typically it is fished as the dropper in a two-fly nymph rig. Tie in size 14-22. The fly can be tied with a glass bead or a tungsten bead.

Materials:

• Hook: Tiemco 2487 size 14-22
• Baed: Tungsten or Glass Sized to Hook
• Thread: Wapsi UTC 70 Denier Red
• Abdomen: Pearl Tinsel Small
• Tail: Pheasant Tail fibers
• Thorax: Tan Rainbow Sow Scud Dubbing
• Wingcase: Pearl Tinsel Small/Medium

Happy Tying
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Send mail to flyfish@rapidnet.com with questions or comments.

Tying the Skullpzilla Streamer

Materials:

• Hook 1: Gamakatsu Octopus Hooks Size 4-8
• Hook 2: Mustad 3366 or similar arge eyed hook size 4-6
• Thread: Wapsi UTC 140 Denier Color to match body color
• Body: White Rabbit Strip (or color to match natural)
• Collar: Red Saddle Feather fluff, red marabou, or red guinea hen feather
• Wing: Grizzly Marabou
• Head: Fish Skull

The scullpzilla streamer from Solitude Flies has tons of movement in the water and it drives brown trout crazy. This has been one of our most effective streamers over the past two seasons. This video shows how to tie a version of this streamer with a Fish Skull head. The two hooks are joined by a section of fly line backing or by braided fishing line. Our favorite colors are white or barred tan. The version in this video uses a size 8 Gamakatsu octopus stinger hook and a size 6 front hook. This works well for a fly 3" in length. For longer flies use a 4 or 6 stinger hook and a size 4 front hook. Use a small fish scull for the smaller flies, and a medium for larger flies.
Happy Tying

Tying the Stillborn Midge Emerger

 

This pattern is based on a Rene Harrop pattern. This version features an antron shuck and a foam back. It is effective for selective fish feeding on midges. My favorite colors are gray and cream. Tie in sizes 18-24.

Materials:

• Hook: Tiemco 100 size 18-22
• Thread: Tiemco 16/0
• Shuck: Antron Yarn
• Wingcase: Razor Foam Tan or Gray
• Abdomen: Emergence Dubbing
• Legs: Tan or Gray CDC

Happy Tying!

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Send mail to flyfish@rapidnet.com with questions or comments.

Beginning Fly Tying Class Sunday Feb. 26th

Learn to tie your own flies! This class teaches the essentials skills needed to tie 4 fly patterns. The next session of Beginning Fly Tying will be held Feb. 26th at 2:00pm. The class will run until 5:00pm. Cost of the Class is $49. All materials and tools are provided for the class. Payment is due at sign up. Please stop by or call the shop to enroll.

Two New Tying Videos

Tying the Pheasant Tail Midge Pupa and the Rainbow Czech Nymph

Interesting videos...

Not sure who produced these entomology videos, but they are well done. I came accross them on Moldy Chum. The videos feature the life cycle of caddisflies and mayflies.

Mayflies


Caddisflies

Tying the CDC Klinkhammer

Klinkhammer Special

This is a twist on the original Klinkhammer Special- the world famous fly created by Hans van Klinken. Both the post and hackle are made from CDC. This pattern sits nicely on the water's surface. The CDC hackle undulates and adds movement to the fly. The black color scheme works well in mid to late summer when an increasing number of terrestrial insects find their way onto the water's surface.

Materials:

• Hook: Daiichi 1160 size 8-14
• Thread: Ultra Thread 140 (Sizes 14 and larger) or 70 Denier (sizes 16 and smaller)
• Abdomen/Thorax: Wapsi Superfine Dubbing
• Rib: Silver Ultra Wire
• Post: White CDC
• Hackle: Black CDC

Happy Tying

Missouri River Fisheries Meeting

If you fish the Missouri River in South Dakota you will want to attend a meeting at the Outdoor Campus West on February 1st. Game Fish and Parks staff will discuss the impacts on Missouri River Fisheries caused by flooding this past summer. How will Oahe fish in 2012? Be at the Outdoor Campus on February 1st at 7:00pm to find out.

Tying the Shuttlecock Buzzer

This pattern is based on the Shuttlecock Buzzer patterns I have seen published in Czech books and websites. I typically tie these in smaller sizes for imitating emerging midges on my local trout streams. My favorite sizes are 16-22. Black, Olive, and Grey are all productive colors. This fly can be tied much larger when fishing chironomid hatches on stillwaters. When tying this fly in larger sizes it helps to add 1 or 2 feathers to the wing.

Materials:

• Hook: Tiemco 2488 size 14-22
• Thread: Wapsi UTC 70 Denier Fl. Orange
• Thread: Wapsi UTC 70 Denier Color to match body color
• Rib: Silver Ultra Wire
• Wing: Natural Dun CDC
• Abdomen: Super Fine Dubbing color to match natural

Happy Tying

Fly Fishing Film Tour 2012 returns to Rapid City on March 7th!

The Fly Fishing Film tour makes it's triumphant return to Rapid City on March 7th 2012! Tickets on Sale Now at the shop for $12. They will be $15 the night of the show. The showing will be held at the Elks Theatre- this year it will be on the big screen. Doors will open at 7:00pm. Show starts at 7:30pm. Don't miss it! 

 Get more information on the films and filmmakers at the tour's website: http://flyfilmtour.com/

See you on March 7th at the Elk Theatre.

Tying the Pearl Core Cased Caddis

This is a cased caddis larva pattern tied in the Czech style. This nymph is tied on a jig hook with a slotted tungsten bead that causes it to bounce along the bottom with the hook point riding up. Cased Caddis patterns are very effective, especially in freestone streams. Fish this fly on point, with a smaller offering above it.



Materials:

• Hook: Umpqua C400BL Size 10-14
• Bead: Slotted Tungsten Bead
• Thread: UTC 140 Denier
• Head: Hareline Dubbin Pearl Core Braid
• Collar: Whiting Brahma Hen or Partridge Feather
• Hackle for Case: Strung Brown Saddle
• Case:Hareline Dubbin Hare's Ear Dubbing

Too cold to fish today...I guess it is winter.

High today in Rapid City was only 18 degrees- what happened to the 40's, 50's, and 60's? Don't worry, it is supposed to warm up again by Friday.

But what to do until then? I highly suggest coffee and fly tying. You know, those things we used to do in the winter time.

I have been on a heavy espresso bender today. Since I can't do much outside and I have been working at the computer all morning, I require a few extra shots of liquid energy. Later today, while still sailing high on the seas of caffeine I will sit down at the tying bench to film some new tying videos and to refill my fly boxes.

Here are a few fly pattern videos to revisit. These patterns will be useful by weeks end:

The Fabulous F-Fly


CDC Midge Emerger


Translucent Midge Pupa

Winter Midge Hatches have Begun

They're back! When I was out on Rapid Creek this past Sunday I saw fish feeding on midges up top. I hadn't seen any fishable hatches yet, but there they were. The midge hatches that occur January through March here on Rapid Creek in town are spectacular. Maybe it is because any hatch that brings fish to the surface in the middle of winter is rare and something to celebrate, but to me it seems that winter or not these hatches generate some of the best dry fly fishing of the year. I fish in town much more than I used to and have begun to look forward to the fishing opportunities to be found there during the winter. The midge hatches are definitely a highlight.

If you get a chance to fish this hatch here are a few flies to take along:

F-Fly (tie in black or olive size 18-20)

Morgan's Midge size 20

CDC Adult Midge size 20

Matt's Midge size 20-22

Two New Tying Videos

Chewee Bloodworm



Click to See the materials list

Czeched Out Hare's Ear Nymph




Click to See the materials list

Winter, eh?

Well it has been an odd "winter" so far. We are used to warm weather here in the balmy west of the river Banana Belt, but these sustained highs in the 40-50's are peculiar. Looks like a dip into the 20's is coming next week though- there are still several of days with highs over 40 in the forecast between now and Wednesday. Make sure you make the most of them.

Fishing has been excellent on Rapid Creek below Pactola and here in town. I haven't been up to Spearfish recently, but I would bet that fishing through town and in the valley is benefiting from this warm weather. Rumor has it that Crow Creek is fishing well too.

I got out yesterday after a long hiatus. Had a busy month at the shop that culminated in a three day inventory counting session! Wahoo!

It was a relief to have time to fish for a change, even if it was only for an hour. Didn't see any risers, but I think the winter midge hatches should crank up soon. Yesterday I kept up my experimentation with French and Spanish style nymphing. I will post soon about the leader rig I am using for this style of fishing.

The new Sage ESN 10' rods are perfect for nymph fishing this way. The 3 weight fishes extremely well on Rapid Creek. The 2 weight would be a blast here in the Hills. There might be one of those in my future.

If you get a chance to get out in the next few days, email us some photos at the shop- flyfish@rapidnet.com.

Tying the RS2

Developed by Rim Chung. The RS2 is a proven pattern. Time after time it fools picky fish. Luckily for fly tiers, it isn't too tough of a fly to tie. Perfect fly to imitate emerging baetis ascending to the surface.

See the materials list at: http://flyfishsd.com/tying_the_RS2.htm