Featured Fly - Iron Lotus

Some of you may already use this fly, or at least know the name, but this is one of my favorite big water flies. It can mimic just about any mayfly nymph just by changing size of the hook, and color of the thread. A couple years ago before the lotus was in the Umpqua catalogs, I watched George pull 5 fish out of one run on the west branch while we all just stood around waiting for a fish to rise. I was tying up a dozen the other day, and thought it wouldn't be a bad idea to use this one a featured fly.

Materials:

Hook: TMC C200BL sz. 12-16

Rib: Danville 210 - White or Tan 

Tail: CDL Fibers 

Bead: Tungsten Bomb Bead - Copper 

Body: Danville 210 - Olive, Lt. Olive, Brown 

Shell Back:  Scud Back - Black 

Thorax: Peacock Colored Dubbing 

Hot Collar: UNI Thread - Fl. Fire Orange

Over Body: Lacquer 

Step 1: Tie in the rib, making a small taper to the body.

Step 2: Tie in the CDL Feathers. The length of the tail should be about half the hook shank.

Step 3: To add some bulk to the body, wrap the thread forward, covering the CDL.

Step 4: Cut off the extra CDL, then wrap back and forth making a nice tapered body.

Step 5: Wrap the rib forward, leaving enough space for the thorax. This is usually where I lacquer the body.

Step 6: Tie in the Scud Back.

Step 7: Dub the thorax.

Step 8: Brush the dubbing out to the sides.

Step 9: Pull the Scud Back forward and tie it off.

Step 10: Whip finish the olive thread, then tie in and make a hot collar with the UNI Thread.

Step 11: Whip finish the hot collar, cut off, then add a little head cement to the shellback and collar.

Finished Fly: