Tying Guides RSS

The usual was created by Fran Betters, and don’t let the fact that it’s tied with only one material fool you! This pattern has been a proven fish catcher for many years. The fur from a snowshoe rabbits foot is naturally buoyant and is great for emerger and comparadun type patterns. The fur will be taken from the underside of the snowshoe rabbits hind foot and while its simple enough to clip it from the bottom, some of us find that breaking the toes apart (meaning splaying them like an open hand) will also yield a great deal of excellent...

The X Caddis was created by Craig Matthews of Blue Ribbon Flies, and imitates a newly emerged caddisfly struggling to free itself of its shuck in the waters film. This pattern is simple and effective and can be adjusted to match the naturals in your area easily, just by changing the colors and sizes.   Hook: Partridge Ideal Standard Dry #10-16 Thread: Tan 6/0 Uni 6/0Superfly 6/0Danville 6/0 Shuck: Brown Sparkle Emerger Yarn Body: Ginger Hare-tron Dubbing Wing: Natural Comparadun Deer Hair Recommended tools: Wax, Hair Stacker, Brush    Step 1 Start your thread one eye length behind the hook...

The Zug Bug was invented by Cliff Zug, and while it has been said that it was initially created to imitate a caddis; there is no doubting it effectiveness. This can be fished a variety of ways and works well as an attractor pattern in-between hatches.div>     Hook: Partridge Barbless Ideal Nymph #12 Thread: Black 6/0 Uni 6/0Superfly 6/0Danville 6/0 Body:  Peacock Herl Tail:  Peacock Sword Ribbing: Fine Gold Wire under Silver TinselWireTinsel Legs: Brown Hen Cape Wing Case: Mallard   Step 1 Start your thread one eye length behind the eye and run it down the hook shank, stopping across from the barb....

There’s something about an orange bead that just seems to attract trout, and this is an excellent anchor fly that I have had great success with in the Catskills, especially on the Willowemoc and Beaverkill. I normally tie this patterns in a #12 and #14 but adjust the sizing based on the naturals in your area.   Hook: Partridge Barbless Grub Straight Eye #14 Thread: Black 6/0 Uni 6/0Superfly 6/0Danville 6/0 Bead:  Orange Tungsten Bead (size 3/32 for #14) Underbody: .010 Lead-free wire Ribbing: Copper Wire Body: Sybai Flash Nymph - Pearl Yellow Thorax: Sybai Nymph - Rusty Brown   Slide your bead...

Beetles are great patterns to fish, especially on breezy days in areas with vegetation overhanging the banks. Cast this fly out and give it a little twitch in between dead drifts and hang on, as some takes can be quite explosive! The small sizes can be super effective when fishing to picky fish as well, just switch up the black hair for tan to make it easier to see.     Hook: Sprite All Purpose Dry Thread: Black 6/0 Uni 6/0Superfly 6/0Danville 6/0 Body: Black Deer Hair Body: Peacock Herl   With your hook firmly secured in your tying vise, start your thread about a...