RS2 Adams
Tim Flagler
fotm may 2020
Translated by Carl Wuebben

Rim Chung created the pattern we call the RS2 in the 1970’s, and since then this fly has developed an extremely loyal following. I believe the main reason for its popularity is that regardless of conditions, place, or time of year, it almost always catches fish. Try tying it in smaller hooks like a size 28 or 30. Tim developed his own technique for creating a nicely segmented abdomen similar to Mr. Chang’s. He also ties on the microfibbet tails a little differently, but for the most part he stays fairly true to the original pattern. The RS2 is a very adaptable fly. You can create incredible variations by switching materials for the tail, body, and wing. If you haven’t tied or fished the RS2, you’re missing out.

PATTERN
HOOK – Lightning Strike DF3 or an equivalent regular dry fly hook, size #20
THREAD – Black 12/0 gel spun.
TAIL – Medium gray Microfibbets.
ABDOMEN – Adams gray beaver dubbing.
WING – Natural dun Cul De Canard puff feather.
THORAX – Adams grey beaver dubbing.

HOW TO TIE

  1. De-barb the hook (if you want) and mount in the vice. Start your thread in on the hook about 2 eyelets space from the eye of the hook and clip your tag end off. Make a smooth thread base ending just before the bend of the hook. Next, tie the Microfibbet tail to the top of the hook shank at the rear where your thread is now; the tails should be about equal to the length of the shank.
  2. Take a small piece of doubled over thread to form a small loop and put the loop end under the hook shank then bring it rearward up against the bend of the hook and under the tail area; the loop should be on the bend of the shank below the Microfibbets. Bring the loop of thread up by its ends from under the end of the hook shank (loop will stay in at the hook bend) and in-between the tails then lightly pull the ends of the loop up and forward to split the tail fibers. Tie the loop ends to the top of the hook shank and clip any excess.
  3. Spin a pinch of dubbing on the thread to form a small noodle about two inches should do. Put one wrap on the body right at the base of the tail. Make sure to get a full wrap of dubbing around the shank. Now hold one finger on the thread where the dubbing ends on the thread then bring your thread up to the fly at where you started your thread in step one and tie it off then clip the side of the thread the noodle is on but keep ahold on the noodle end and put your hackle plyers on the noodle end and using a dubbing spinner attach it to the hackle plyers and spin it clockwise to form a tight noodle. Spin it tight this will help create a nicely tapered body. Now remove the twister tool and use the hackle plyers to wrap the noodle up the hook to create the abdomen of the fly. End it where your thread is now, tie it off and clip off any excess dubbing next to the shank.
  4. Tie on a Cul De Canard puff or other suitable material for the wing right where your thread is now with the tips facing forward then secure firmly and clip tag ends off and put a wrap or two of thread in front of the wing to keep it upward then bring your thread behind the wing.
  5. Spin another, smaller pinch of dubbing on your thread; but there’s no need to spin this tight like the other noodle (just spin with your fingers only). Wrap the noodle around the base of the wing (figure eight) front and rear to form the thorax but don’t crowd the head, whip finish and clip the thread off.
  6. Using your fingers, hold up the Cul De Canard wing and clip it off at an angle. It should be about a hook gape in size.


TIE UP A DOZEN OR TWO – AND GO FISHING*** But remember to practice C.P.R. (CATCH – PICTURE – RELEASE)

Drifters Punk Perch
Tom Loe
fotm april 2020
Translated by Carl Wuebben

Local guide, Tom Loe of Sierra Drifters, uses a variation of the mohair leech pattern with his “Punk Perch” rather than using angora goat or seal dubbing Tom uses ice dubbing which is a finely cut Mylar. The Punk Perch is tied somewhat differently with a thin rear portion to the body and a much longer dubbed upper body in which the Ice dubbing fibers reach the base of the tail. Use a dubbing loop and adjust the amount of material so that the bulk will be wound nearest the forward portion of the shank. As you twist the loop, the material will also be somewhat tighter around the rear portion of the shank and this will assist in the profile. In the water, this profile is really good for mimicking a Sacramento perch fry which is a prevalent food source for large trout within Lake Crowley. Keep the pattern less than 2 inches since the trout will not feed on larger patterns due to the sharp fin spines that develop on the fry. The translucent effects of the material give real life to the fly. The hook is a 2x long wet fly. He also incorporates a thin red thread collar behind the head for gills which can be a strong triggering mechanism to the fly as an alarmed baitfish with its gills flashing.

PATTERN
HOOK – Daiichi 1710 #6 -16 or equivalent
THREAD – Danville black 6/0 (140 denier)
GILLS - Red thread 6/0 (140 denier)
RIB – Fine copper wire
BODY – U.V. light olive iced dubbing, some U.V. black ice dubbing mixed in.
TAIL – Olive marabou
For a Drifters Punk Perch – light. The hook – thread – gills are the same just change the. RIB- Fine gold wire BODY- Pearl ice dubbing TAIL- Gray marabou with silver Krystal flash strands (about 3 to6 strands).

HOW TO TIE

  1. De-barb the hook and mount in the vice. Start thread in about 2 eyelets from the eye and make a thread base to just before the hook bend; clip about 30 to 40 strands of marabou from the quill, keeping the ends even. You may have to make two separate clippings to get enough strands. Measure the tips so that they are about the same as the hook shank length and tie them just before the bend of the hook. Wrap down the excess forward up the shank to the ¾ position then tie it off and clip off the tag ends.
  2. Attach a length of fine copper wire for the ribbing to the underside of the shank starting at the front of the hook and securing the wire with thread wraps to the tail tie down position. Make a dubbing loop with a dubbing twister about 3 -4 inches in length. Secure the loop by wrapping the thread around the loop at the shank. The loop is held open by the dubbing tool. Wrap the thread forward not your loop yet and hang the bobbin away from your work with your bobbin rest.
  3. Blend a little bit of U.V. black ice dubbing with the U.V. light olive ice dubbing. The light olive makes up about 90 % of the mix. Adjust the material within the loop so that the bulk (75%) is within the bottom half of the loop. Twist the loop closed, the material closest to the shank will tighten first. Tighten the loop but do not overtighten, so that the last half of the loop becomes a tight noodle. It should be somewhat bulky.
  4. Wrap the loop forward to just behind the eye (one eyelets space), leaving adequate room for a head. Tie down the loop and trim off the tag end of the dubbing noodle/loop.
  5. Bring the copper wire forward with evenly spaced spiral wraps in a reverse method to counter wrap over the dubbing. Tie it off and helicopter the wire off or clip it off. The ribbing helps secure the dubbing fibers. Build up a tapered thread head and whip finish then clip your thread off.
  6. For the gills tie in your red thread just in front of your dubbed body and make a small band then tie off, whip finish and clip the red thread.
  7. Pick out the dubbing with a bodkin. You should get the much longer fibers from the front half of the shank. Take a piece of Velcro and work the material to blend the material together and get it to flow in a backwards sweep. Trim any wayward fibers. Try to get a tapered silhouette. The front fibers should be able to extend to the base of the tail.

TIE UP A DOZEN OR TWO – AND GO FISHING*** But remember to practice C.P.R. (CATCH – PICTURE – RELEASE)

The Bead Worm
Philip Rowley
fotm march 2020
Translated by Carl Wuebben

Stillwater featuring muddy bottoms are home to epidemic populations of chironomid’s many reaching appreciable sizes. Larva, pupa and adults of the larger chironomid species have been affectionately christened “BOMBERS”, a season long morsel few trout resist. In the early spring and late fall these lesser known Stillwater staples migrate. In the spring larvae migrate from the deep to the shallows and vice versa in the fall as the larva escape the lethal effects of the approaching winter. Other aquatic insects mirror this behavior and as a result anglers should consider deep to shallow presentations in the spring and shallow to deep water in the fall. The bead worm targets the more mature stages of the chironomid life cycle. The contrasting V-rib and wire segmentation over the holographic Mylar make a convincing imitation. Although many anglers are familiar with red or maroon colored larva there are species displaying a unique barber pole combination of green and red and for this larval color scheme consider the holographic green and red combination. Whatever the choice present this design near the bottom. Use a floating line and long leader of 15 feet or more. Leaders should be 25 percent longer than the water is deep.

PATTERN

HOOK – Klinkhamer 1160 or 1170 in size 12 to16
THREAD – Red 8/0 (70denier)
BODY- Red or green holographic Mylar
RIB #1 – Red V-rib
RIB #2 – Fine gold, copper or silver wire
HEAD – 8/0 glass bead

HOW TO TIE

  1. De-barb the hook and slide a red glass bead onto the shank and push forward to the hook eye. Place the hook into the vise. Attach the tying thread directly behind the glass bead and cover the hook shank with a thread base (you should be at the rear of the hook now). Using open wraps spiral the tying thread back to the rear of the glass bead. Tie in the #2 ribbing (wire) material along the entire length of the hook (on one side or the top).
  2. With the thread at the rear again. Take a length of V-rib and trim one end to a point.
  3. Tie in the V-rib by the point on top of the hook shank (in the rear) so the flat side faces upward. Once initially tied in by the point, pull on the V-rib to reduce bulk, use tight thread wraps to secure. Tie in the red holographic Mylar in place along the side of the hook shank. Advance the tying thread forward to the rear of the bead.
  4. Wind the holographic Mylar forward over the hook shank in close touching turns. There should be no gaps between the wraps. Use appropriate tension when wrapping to keep the body slender and neat. Wind the V-rib forward in open wraps. Position the V-rib during the initial wrap so that the round side faces out. Tie off and clip the tag end off. Spiral the wire rib along either the front edge or rear edge of the V-rib. Tie the wire off and twist and pull it (helicopter) to break away the tag end.
  5. Cover the tie off area behind the bead with tying thread then whip finish and clip the thread off then coat the entire fly with brushable super glue or U.V. glue for added durability and shine.

TIE UP A DOZEN OR TWO – AND GO FISHING*** But remember to practice C.P.R. (CATCH – PICTURE – RELEASE)

CDC Red Tag
Andy Larkin
fotm february 2020
Translated by Carl Wuebben

THE JIG IS UP - Not everyone participates in or supports competitive fly fishing. But no matter where you stand; Gear, Presentation techniques or Flies have all been influenced by competitions. Flies tied using slotted beads and up eye jig hooks offer a number of advantages. From a practical perspective jig nymphs ride hook point up, reducing the risk of snagging and fouling a good characteristic for any nymph tumbling through infested reaches of a river bottom where trout prefer to reside. Another benefit of a jig nymph is that the majority of your fish will be solidly hooked in the upper lip. Fish hooked in the upper lip have a hard time throwing the fly they also provide a subtle jigging action helping suggest life and convincing the fussiest of fish that they are worth at least a sample nibble. The vast majority of jig nymphs are simple flies tied in the round. Flies tied in the round offer fish the same view of the fly no matter its orientation in the current as there are no wing cases or other features to suggest whether a fly is upright in the water or not.

PATTERN
HOOK – HANAK competition H450BL, #12 -#16 or DAIICHI 4640 or 4670 up eye jig hook #12 - #16
BEAD – Slotted tungsten silver or metallic pink tungsten
THREAD – Black 8/0 (70 denier) can use 6/0 (140 denier)
TAIL – Daytum Globrite Floss #4 (fire orange)
RIB – Red wire
BODY- Arizona synthetic peacock, Bronze peacock spectra dub #45 or peacock dyed red COLLAR – Natural CDC

HOW TO TIE
  1. Slide a slotted tungsten bead (small round opening first) onto the hook. Place in the vice and slide the bead forward up against the hook eye. Twist the bead as necessary so the slotted portion of the bead navigates around the angled shank so the bead pushes tight against the hook eye. Tie thread on behind the bead. Build a thread ramp behind the bead to lock it into place then cover the rest of the hook shank with thread. You should finish with your thread just behind the bead.
  2. Cut an 8 to 10 inch length of Globrite floss from the spool. Align the ends together. Double the floss over itself a number of times so it forms a small bow tie. Now tie the floss bow in just a little bit from the bead and there are equal amounts of floss on each side of the tie in point.
  3. Fold the forward floss rearward over the back half to form the tail. Secure the folded floss back down the shank to the bend of the hook with the thread. This will ensure a smooth and even underbody. Trim the floss even with the hook bend to form a short stubby tail. Your thread should now be behind the bead.
  4. Tie in the wire rib just behind the bead and secure it back along the near side of the shank to the base of the tail (wire should be hanging out over the tail).
  5. Form a neat slender tapered body from the base of the tail to the rear of the bead. Twist some Arizona synthetic peacock dubbing onto the thread by twisting it between your thumb and index finger real tight to form a noodle then wrap it forward and end it up against the bead (don’t forget your tapered body shape). Now tie it off. Spiral wrap the wire rib forward over the body using even open turns. Tie it off behind the bead then using a pulling and twisting motion (helicoptering) to break away the wire tag end.
  6. Using a magic tool or a bull clip fold a single CDC plume into it. Now you can use a dubbing loop or split the thread to make the collar.
    Dubbing loop – Pull about 3-4 inches of thread out and insert you’re dubbing tool then bring the thread back up to the body and wrap onto the fly behind the bead then insert the CDC fibers and twist the tool to make the collar rope.
    Split the thread – Flatten the tying thread by twisting the thread counterclockwise when looking from above. Using a dubbing or sewing needle carefully split the tying thread. Insert your finger into the split thread loop to keep it open then place the folded CDC plume into the split thread loop then remove your finger to trap the CDC in the loop. Twist the thread tight by spinning the bobbin clockwise which locks the CDC in place.
  7. Wind the dubbed CDC directly behind the bead. Stroke the CDC fibers back after each wrap. The finished CDC hackle should be sparse and flow back over the body. Pinch off or trim any errant CDC fibers. Apply head cement or brushable superglue to roughly 1/2” of tying thread and wind the coated thread directly behind the bead. Whip finish to complete the fly then clip your thread off.

TIE UP A DOZEN OR TWO – AND GO FISHING*** But remember to practice C.P.R. (CATCH – PICTURE – RELEASE)

Steelhead Slammer
By Tyler Straight
fotm jan 2020
Translated by Carl Wuebben

The steelhead slammer is a simple fly pattern for high water steelhead.

PATTERN

HOOK – MFC #7045 – MUSTAD c49s – TMC 2488 – DAIICHI 1120 size 10
THREAD – Red 6/0
TAIL – Vernille or micro chenille
BODY – Estaz regular
COLORS – (tail/Estaz) chartreuse/orange, pink/chartreuse, brown/chartreuse.

HOW TO TIE
  1. Place your scud hook in the vise so the hook eye is pointing down slightly. Attach your thread in behind the eye and clip the tag end off, then make a thread base by wrapping rearward to just a little into the bend of the hook and above the hook barb with close wraps.
  2. Tie in a piece of Vernille or micro chenille with a one inch tag extending forward using a pinch wrap.
  3. Secure the chenille tag by making tight spiral wraps forward up to the hook eye but leave about an eyelet space so you don’t crowd the head. Make a couple wraps to secure the chenille then trim off any excess chenille.
  4. Tie in a length of Estaz in at about where you started your thread. Then bring your thread forward to about one eyelet space from the eye.
  5. Make 2 -3 wraps forward of Estaz. Make a small thread head, clip the tag end of Estaz, whip finish, and cut the thread. Trim the chenille tail so it is about 2 inch. Long
  6. This is an optional step. You can take a lighter and melt the end of the chenille to a point. This doesn’t affect the fish catching ability of the fly, just makes it look nicer to the fisherman.


TIE UP A DOZEN OR TWO – AND GO FISHING*** But remember to practice C.P.R. (CATCH – PICTURE – RELEASE)

Balanced Chironomid
By Snake River Fly (You Tube)

fotm may 2019  

Translated by Carl Wuebben

This fly is pure evil when it comes to the indicator game. This fly is responsible for many big fish to the net. It’s also a simple pattern if this is your first time tying balanced flies.

PATTERN

HOOK – 90 degree size #8 also can use 60 degree hook
PIN – silver or gold sequin pin (can use a dress maker’s pin but will have to cut it to fit)
BEAD – 1/8” silver – can use tungsten if it balances right
DUBBING – Snake River scud dubbing in silver or your brand choice
THREAD – Montana fly co. midge body thread or equivalent and 6/0 (140 denier) red Flymaster plus or equivalent
RIB – Brassie ultra-wire in silver
SHUCK – Darlon in pearl or white

HOW TO TIE

  1. Debarb the hook – mount in vise then start the thread in behind the eye and clip the tag end off, then make a thread base by wrapping to mid shank with close wraps. Put a bead on the pin (large hole first) then tie onto the hook shank with the bead and pin hanging about two more bead lengths past the bend of the hook by the eye. You can adjust as needed. Secure the pin down by wrapping over the pin and hook shank and add some zap-a-gap on the thread wraps to hold it in place better, then wrap the thread rearward and stop just before the bend of the hook.
  2. Tie in a small piece of pearl Darlon in the rear for the shuck (hanging off the bend of the hook) clip the tag end off right tight up against the butt of the pin on the shank; wrap it down to even out the body on the shank. If the shuck is too long you can clip it to size.
  3. Tie in the brassie wire at the rear of the hook for the ribbing, don’t wrap it yet we will do it later. Clip off the tag end and return your thread to the rear of the hook (don’t cut off) lay it to the side.
  4. Put the midge body thread in a bobbin and tie it in at the rear of the hook and wrap forward with overlapping wraps (touch wraps) to the front of the fly tight up against the bead. Now with your regular thread that is at the rear of the hook wrap forward with spiral wraps and when you get to the bead and midge body thread tie off the midge thread and clip the midge body thread off.
  5. Spiral wrap the wire ribbing forward and tie off behind the bead. Clip off tag end of wire.
  6. Grab a small clump of scud dubbing and make a dubbing noodle on the thread by twisting the dubbing onto the thread with your fingers then do a couple of turns of the noodle behind the bead (you may have to add more dubbing) but keep it sparse. Whip finish and clip the thread. Brush the dubbing a little bit with a dubbing brush or a toothbrush.

TIE UP A DOZEN OR TWO – AND GO FISHING*** But remember to practice C.P.R. (CATCH – PICTURE – RELEASE)

More Articles …

  1. FOTM September 2019 Drowned Trico
  2. FOTM August 2019 Pheasant Tail Nymph
  3. FOTM July 2019 Bobesh Hare's Ear
  4. FOTM June 2019 Sparkle Wing RS-2
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