Fly Pictures, by Request

by Jeff D
(Overland Park, KS)

The first fly is the micro egg. This is tied on a size 26 Gamakatsu C12-BM, with a 1.5mm gold tungsten bead, Veevus 16/0 white thread, and Shrimp Pink ice dub. I also tie this with a pink 1.5mm tungsten bead and fluorescent pink Senyo Laser Yarn.

The Gamakatsu C12-BM is an amazing little hook. It is made in size 26, 28, and 30 yet has a much bigger eye (probably equivalent to a size 18) which makes it much easier to tie one to the tippet, especially with aging eyes. I used to have trouble keeping fish hooked on small hooks, but not with these!

Unfortunately, I don't have the size 30 UKB at hand to photograph, as I'm doing this on my break at work. I've added a vise to my desk to take advantage of lunch break time to crank out flies so the only ones I have at hand are ones I've been tying here.

However, the recipe is very simple: Gamakatsu C12-BM size 30, red Veevus 16/0 thread, and I separate the strands of Shetland Spindrift Oyster yarn, and use only one strand, tightly twisted.

The second fly is the Stewart Black Spider, tied on a size 20 Firehole Sticks 413. I tie it just like WC Stewart did: lay down a layer of black Veevus 16/0 thread toward hook bend. Tie down Starling feather by the tip, twist feather around thread, then wind forward. It is not a pretty fly by any stretch of the imagination. The fish do not seem to care one bit that it's an ugly mess.

“The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten” - Benjamin Franklin

"Be sure in casting, that your fly fall first into the water, for if the line fall first, it scares or frightens the fish..." -
Col. Robert Venables 1662

As age slows my pace, I will become more like the heron.