Featured Fly - Firecracker Split Back

Here is a great variation of an awesome fly that I have used all over the US. After hearing about it multiple times, I decided to tie a few, and I have not been disappointed yet. This variation has been working well for me so far this season, so I figured it would be a good idea to share it with everyone!

Materials:

Hook: TMC C200BL 12-16

 Bead: Tungsten Bomb Bead - sz to Match Hook 

Rib 1: Mirage Tinsel - Sm

Rib 2: Ultra Wire - Sm

Body: Pheasant Tail - Yellow, Natural, Orange 

Splitback: Goose Biot - Yellow, Orange

Shellback: Holo Tinsel - Black - Lrg.

Thorax: SLF - Nymph Thorax

Collar: SLF - Nymph Thorax

Step 1: Slide the bead onto the hook.

 

Step 2: Tie in the Wire and Tinsel behind the hook eye.

Step 3: Tie in the wire and tinsel as you make a thread base.

Step 4: Tie in the pheasant tail, make one tight securing wrap over the PT. Then wrap the thread forward, to right in front of the hook point.

Step 5: Wrap the pheasant tail forward.

Step 6: Wrap the tinsel forward, making the first under rib.

Step 7: Wrap the wire forward, securing the tinsel.

Step 8: Tie in the Biot.

Step 9: Tie in the holo tinsel

Step 10: Dub the thorax

Step 11: Pull the holo tinsel forward, this will be the shell back.

Step 12: Pull the Biot forward, this will give the look of a splitting wing case.

Step 13: Make a small collar of dubbing.

Step 14: Whip finish and cut off!

Finished Fly:

A Day of Days - Little J

I have always said that the Little J is my favorite stream in State College. I have had by butt kicked more times that not, but when its good, there is nothing else like it. 

It was almost 10:00 at night, Lenny and I where having one of those conversations about nothing, while were we both sitting at the vise, tying flies. We were talking about where to fish the next day, the original plan was to trailer the boats up to the West Branch and do a two boat float. Jack, Shane, and I would be in one boat, with Lenny and Austin in the other. That all changed when I got a text from Shane, saying he couldn't go. So a 5:00am call to Jack and the plans changed almost immediately, Jack and I were heading out to state. We fished Spring Creek for about an hour, until it started crawling with anglers. Then we decided to head over the mountain to the Little J, sulphurs were coming off throughout the day, with a healthy population of caddis mixed in. It was a day of days, we nymphed most of the day, until the spinner fall started and it was total mayhem until we couldn't see any more.