Stillwater Flies Class

Last night was the Tying Stillwater Flies class. This is the time of year that we need to fill those stillwater boxes with flies that catch fish. The rivers are starting to show some color and the tailwaters are low--for some reason.

We tied three flies and I tied the last one as a demonstration, since we were out of time. We started with a BH mini leech. This has been one of the most popular flies recently, because IT WORKS! I tie these in black and in olive.

BH Black Mini Leech

Hook: TMC 3761 #10

Bead: Gold 1\8"

Tail: Marabou with optional krystal falsh

Body: Arizona Simi-Seal

Collar: Olive Hungarian Partridge

This has been one of the most popular flies recently, because IT WORKS!
I tie these in black and in olive.

Schroder's Callibaetis Nymph

The second fly we tied was the Schroder's Callibaetis Nymph. Umpqua used to carry this fly commercially, but no longer does. I don't know what happened, but it is still a popular fly here on our reservoirs and lakes. It is a pretty simple fly, using all natural materials. It works really well when fish are keyed into callibaetis nymphs.

Hook: TMC 3761 #16
Tail: Mallard dyed wood duck or tan.
Body: Turkey wing quill, mottled oak #1

Rib: Small copper wire

Thorax: Natural ostrich herl

Legs: Mallard dyed wood duck or tan.

Thread: Rusty brown

Barr's Damsel Nymph

This is one cool looking fly. It was fun to work with this fly using different materials including some mono eyes that just make this fly. Real damsel nymphs have big eyes that are very prominent and most flies available copy that feature. We substituted some scud back for the thin skin as I think it is easier to tie in and stretch than thin skin. When fish key into migrating damsels it can be a lot of fun fishing these. You may be able to sight fish to cruising fish as the nymphs usually swim 1-3 feet below the surface.

Hook: TMC 200R

Tail: Olive marabou

Body: Light olive Sow/Scud dubbing

Eyes: Medium mono eyes

Rib: 4X tippet

Shellcase: Olive Scub Back

Legs: Olive Mallard

Foam Adult Damsel

This is one of my favorite flies to throw in a certain New Mexico lake. The fish in Charette Lake love to eat adult damsels and I try to be there every year. I spent a lot of time at that lake and I am amazed that they spend so much energy chasing these and the bigger dragonflies. I fish from a float tube and hit the edges of the weed beds or I wait for rises and cast to them and usually just a nose pokes out and takes it down. It is some of the best fishing of the year. Wind can put all the fish down though, so make sure you have the nymphs and some woolly buggers and leeches just in case.

Hook: TMC 100 #14

Thread: Uni 6\0 Royal Blue

Tail: Hareline Damsel Body

Dubbing: Superfine Damsel Blue

Hackle: Large grizzly

Post and over body: 2MM foam, Damsel Blue.