The FishMaster Fly Tiers Desk

Here on the fly tiers desk I would like to show you how to tie some of the great patterns that have worked well for me. Listed, are step-by-step instructions for tying your own great flies and a complete list of materials. For those who just love to fish and are not interested in tying, these flies are available for you to purchase on our products page.

Mountain Midge

This is a versatile little fly that comes in handy in many situations. I use this fly in lakes and rivers as it covers a wide range of insect life. It can be used as a Mayfly Emerger or a Midge Emerger. It is very productive when used in tandem with a San Juan Worm. Joe has another Bow river rainbow on this combination. Read all about this fly in The FishMaster Newsletter. Now Available!

Materials required

Hook: # 14 Mustad 94840 dry fly hook.
Thread: 8/0 Black, Brown or Green.
Tail: Pheasant tail.
Rib: Fine copper wire. (Approx. 4 inches)
Body: Pheasant tail.
Wing case: Cream dubbing.
Thorax: Peacock herl.

Step 1

Tie on the tying thread and form a base on the hook shank.

Step 2

Tie in a piece of fine copper wire.

Step 3

To create the tail, tie in 8 – 10 pheasant tail tips extending about the length of the hook gap.

Step 4

Pull the remainder of the pheasant tail back towards the tail tips of the fly and tie these fibers down.

Step 5

Advance the tying thread towards the hook eye. Wrap the remaining pheasant tail fibers towards the hook eye forming the body. Tie off and clip off excess.

Step 6

Take the fine copper wire and wrap it forward 3 – 4 turns and tie off. Clip off the excess.

Step 7

Now we want to dub in a small ball of cream-colored dubbing at the thorax. After tying off the dubbing, take the tying thread back behind the ball of dubbing.

Step 8

Tie in a single strand of peacock herl. Advance the tying thread towards the hook eye.

Step 9

In an X pattern advance the peacock in front of and behind the ball of dubbing, ending up in front of the dubbing ball. Tie off the peacock at the hook eye.

Step 10

Form the head of the fly with the tying thread and whip finish. At this time the dubbing can be picked out to simulate the wing case.

The Mountain Midge.

You can read all about the Mountain Midge and how to fish it in the December issue of the FishMaster Newsletter.
Now Available!