Dead Ringer Caddis Pupa

This fly got its name from being a very close mimic of a real caddis pupa. I have spent hours on the water trying to find live(or dead) caddis pupa to study. Some would say Im a little obsessed, but thats ok I need something to do in my free time. Anyway back to the fly, it has barred rubber legs to imitate wing pads, long wood duck to add the effect of horns, and a tungsten bead hidden under the shellback for weight. I use a bead one size smaller than usual to keep down on the bulk. This bug floats down the river looking as close to the real thing as it gets. Check out the video and tie some up.

This is a Caddis Pupa fly pattern - Dead Ringer Caddis Pupa 

Some Trout Flies

As much as I want to be floating down the Juanita River throwing a popper for smallmouth, it is still trout season.  I have been trying to get out a few days a week down by the new shop, the fishing has only improved over the past couple weeks. I have spent a good bit of time behind the vise stocking the boxes. I have no more room in my nymph boxes, and I should be good on dries, now its onto the smallmouth candy. Here are a few macro shots of the nymphs I have been tying.

Modified Trigger Nymph - Sulphur 

Caddis Larva

Rubber Z Caddis Pupa 

General Mayfly Nymph 

Macro Midges

I am really beginning to love this new lens. It took a bit to get used to, but once you've taken a million pictures, a few actually come out nice. Below are a few example of some of my favorite midge patterns for the winter months.

The DP Midge, one of my all time favorites.

Not to sure the name of this midge pattern, but I like it.

Red Tail Emerging Midge.

The Midge army. 

Macro Flies

My lovely wife gave me a macro lens for my camera as a wedding present. I have been messing with it for a while now and can finally take a decent picture with it. I am no professional photographer here, but I do love taking pictures. Once we got back from Belize I made a goal to fill all my nymph boxes before I would go fishing. Well the before fishing part didn't work out, but I have completed filling in the gaps of all four boxes. The caddis box, midge box, sow bug box, and general nymph box, are all full. Here are few shots of some of my favorite patterns for most nymphing situations. 

Small Prospecting Nymph.

An Army of Prospecting Nymphs.

Orange Collared Pheasant Tail Nymph.

Pheasant Tail with a Hot shot. 

Psycho Prince Nymph and Pheasant Tail.

Artsy Black and White of a Squirrel Nymph and Pheasant Tail.

Two of my favorite Jig style flies.

Midge, Midge, Midge 

Variety of Midge Fly Patterns. 

Peaking Caddis Jig a 2015 Orvis Tactical Fly.

Simple Caddis Larva.

An army of Cress Bugs.

The Pink Sow Bug Fly.

Natural, Rainbow, and Pink my three favorite colors. 

The natural sow bug or cress bug is a great fly for all winter time fishing.

Featured Fly - Double Squirrel Jig

This pattern is almost identical to the last fly I put up the only difference, its tied on a jig hook. I have had great success with the little double squirrel, so I decided to make it an anchor fly as well. We are getting into the winter months so getting as low as you can and staying in front of the fish longer, will make you more successful. Have fun.

Materials:

Hook: Orvis Tactical Jig - 10-14

Thread: Ultra Thread - Fl Orange 170

Bead: Tungsten Slotted Bead - Black - Match 

Tail: CDL Dark - 12-15 fibers 

Rib: Mirage Tinsel - Med - Opal 

Body: SLF Squirrel - Nat. Fox 

Thorax: SLF Squirrel - Dark Brown

Collar: Ultra Thread - Fl Orange 170

Step 1: Make your thread base while tying in the ribbing.

Step 2: Tie in your CDL Fibers. 

Step 3: Make a small Hot Spot out of your thread.

Step 4: Start your dubbing body right in-front of your hot spot. 

Step 5: Making tight wraps, dub the body.Tight wraps will help push the guard hairs out. 

Step 6: Taking the ribbing under the tail and back over the top, make your rib.

Step 7: Dub the thorax. 

Step 8: Make your Hot Collar and whip finish. 

Step 9: Final Step, take a dubbing brush to it, making it as buggy as you would like. 

Finished: Double Squirrel Nymph tied on Orvis Tactical Jig Hook

Finished Fly Pattern

Featured Fly - The Reaper

Here is a little mixed up nymph that is a little out there. Mostly black with a blue hotspot, and Chartreuse ribbing. A great fly for prospecting those little wild trout streams around the state. I have become obsessed with the Orvis Tactical hooks, the short shank wide gape makes for the perfect hook. A lot of my most recent fly designs have been based around what I can tie on these hooks.

Materials:

Hook: Orvis Tactical Hook sz. 12 - 16

Bead: Tungsten Bead - Black sized to match hook 

Rib: Ultra Wire sz. Small - Fl. Chart.

Tail: Saddle Hackel Fibers - Black 

Hot Spot: Uni Thread 6/0 - Silver Doc Blue or Danville 70 - Blue 

Body: Goose Biot - Black 

Thorax: SLF Squirrel mixed with Ice Dub - Black & Peacock Black 

Step 1: Make a small thread base behind the bead.

Step 2: Finish making a thread base while tying in the ultra wire rib.

Step 3: Pull about 10 saddle fibers off and tie in. Tie these in a little down the hook bend.

Step 4: Make a small thread base or hot spot, then trim extra off.

Step 5: Tie a goose biot flush to the hot spot. Then move thread forward.

Step 6: Wrap the biot forward. Tying it off right behind the bead.

Step 7: Taking the ultra wire under the tail first, wrap forward making a rib.

Step 8: Take your blended dubbing and make a thorax.

Step 9: Make a small hot collar with the thread. Whip finish and cut off!

Finished Fly: The Reaper Nymph