New flies for 2012, MFC

I am honored and proud to be included in Montana Fly Company's 2012 catalog with 3 new patterns for you guys to throw.  They are the Tungsten Hot Shot Nymph, the Sniper Baetis Nymph and the i-Stone, a Golden Stone pattern.

The Hot Shot is a general pattern that I use to show the fish something different.  The tungsten bead helps to bet the fly down and the red colored bead also gets the attention of the fish.  I have had some really good days on the South Platte and Arkansas River with this pattern trailing a Hopper Juan and hitting spots most people won't fish.  It is a great pattern and in the smaller sizes, I like to put on a red glass bead to reflect more color.

Tungsten Hot Shot Nymph 

Hook:      MFC 7045 or TMC 2457 Scud Hook #14-18.

Bead:       Red MFC Lucent Tungsten Bead, Christmas Red

Thread:   Brown UTC 70 or MFC 8/0.

Body:      Hareline Dubbin, Cinnamon Caddis.

Rib:         Small Copper Wire.

Shellback:  Natural Pheasant Tail.

Tail:         Natural Pheasant Tail.

Thorax:    UV Olive Brown Ice Dub.

Wings:     Brown Hen Back.

The Sniper Baetis is a sweet little pattern that you know will work on the techinical waters where big Rainbows line up to eat baetis nymphs in the late fall and early spring.  This pattern has proven it's self in the toughest hatches and on some tough fish.  A thin profile helps to get the pattern down and the fish eating it.  Easy to tie, make sure you have some of these in you box for the next time you find fish eating nymphs and emergers.  

Sniper Baetis Nymph

Rusty Brown 

Hook:      MFC Emerger Hook, TMC 2488 #18-24

Thread:   MFC 8/0 Rusty Brown

Tail:         Mottled Brown Hen Hackle

Rib:          Hareline Ice Thread, Black  

Thorax:    Rusty Brown Superfine Dubbing-very sparse

Wingcase:  Fluoro Fibre, Brown 16 strands #18-20, 22 & 24=14 strands.

Legs:        Fluoro Fibre, Brown 

The Tungsten i-Stone was developed by finding a sheet of foam that was used to pack up my i-Mac.  A little fooling around with a caddis wing cutter and some new dubbing from Natures Spirit in a golden stone color and the i-Stone was developed.  Initial testing on the Animas River was not too promising but that may not be the best place to test a golden stone pattern.  More testing on the Arkansas River was a better idea.  The Ark. is loaded with golden stones.  It preformed awesome.  The wingpads held up and the tungsten and lead helped get the pattern down where the fish are.  It has quickly become one of my favorite patterns to use year around.  

Tungsten Golden iStone

Hook:      MFC 7231 or TMC 2302 #10-12

Bead:       MFC Lucent Coffee Tungsten Bead, 2.7mm

Thread:   UTC 70 Yellow or MFC 8/0

Underbody:  .20 lead laid on the sides or lead tape.

Body:      Nature’s Spirit Amber Emergence Dubbing.

Rib:         Small Copper Wire

Shellback:  Medallion sheeting or MFC Gold Silly Skin

Tail:         Gold Goose Biots

Thorax:    Nature’s Spirit Amber Emergence Dubbing or similar.

Wings:     Brown Hen Back

Wingcase:  Computer Packing Foam Colored with Dark Brown Marker. I use foam from an Apple iMac.  Dell or HP foam would work as well.   Cut with #18 Caddis Wing Cutter.