21 replies to this topic

[zug buggin]

I've been tying for many years, but recently have been doubting many of the patterns I use. I've been researching BWO nymphs looking for a pattern for a tiny BWO nymph. Here in North Georgia we get lots of tiny BWO that hatch year round noticably in the sparadic warn snaps we have here in the deep south. After much time spent on Entomology sites studing pictures of BWO nymphs I was shocked to learn they aren't olive in color but 90% are tan with a brown head and wing case. I guess its fly tyers and fisherman fixating on the Olive in the name. I'm posting a picture of my finished fly in size #22 tied on a Sud/emerger style hook and also a pictue of the nymph I copied it form form the site Troutnut. I'm looking for suggestions to improve the fly.

[Bryan Wright]

that is a great tie. It amazes me how tiny some people can tie a fly and this is no exception. I think it looks great. I do think the tail is too long but that is minor and I think it will fish great.

[boynabubble]

I think it looks great. I think the tails are OK. If I were to change anything IMO the bead is a little large. Being a size 22 it'll be hard to find a bead that is proportionate. I think the bead is fine if you want to add some sort of a trigger to the pattern, but if you were strictly going for the profile of a baetis nymph I would leave it off and just whip finish the head.

I've noticed that the olive color being used in the BWO nymphs is a common error that I've seen even retailers make. I've also seen it happen with PMD nymphs, which are actually a light tan to dark brown and sometimes nearly black, but some people tie them with the same pale yellow as the adults.

[mvendon]

Hi zug,

I would try and get a smaller bead for the head, or not tie one in at all on that sized nymph. With the size of the head, and the curvature of the hook, it looks like it would impede hook-ups. I would offset the hook point also for that reason if the metal isn't too brittle (TMC type). I would use finer tail fibers, and try to splay them out like the natural. When you have thick fibers, or too many grouped together for a tail, it looks like an extension of the body which defeats the purpose of tying on small hooks to imitate small insects. Please don't take this as a putdown on your tying skills. You asked for suggestions and I'm writing what I've absorbed over the time that I've been tying and learning myself.

Regards,
Mark

[zug buggin]

Hi zug,

I would try and get a smaller bead for the head, or not tie one in at all on that sized nymph. With the size of the head, and the curvature of the hook, it looks like it would impede hook-ups. I would offset the hook point also for that reason if the metal isn't too brittle (TMC type). I would use finer tail fibers, and try to splay them out like the natural. When you have thick fibers, or too many grouped together for a tail, it looks like an extension of the body which defeats the purpose of tying on small hooks to imitate small insects. Please don't take this as a putdown on your tying skills. You asked for suggestions and I'm writing what I've absorbed over the time that I've been tying and learning myself.

Regards,
Mark

I'm not taking offense, I'm looking for the suggestions you are giving me. You all are making valid points and I plan to further improve my fly with these suggestions. I plan to post many more pictures of creations I've tied. I'm researching the main patterns I tie for realism and I am looking to scrap any pattern with features that are added for the fisherman instead of the fish. I am enjoying this site and plan to become a active member. Thanks for the input and keep it coming
Zug

[Bryan Wright]

Keep it up and keep posting lots of photos everyone here will continue to help. there are some great people on this board.

[Mr. Vegas]

if you live close to an indian reservation, they sometimes have smaller beads than you normally can buy. Well I got some beads from fort hall reservation in Idaho so I assume maybe others would have the same

[zug buggin]

if you live close to an indian reservation, they sometimes have smaller beads than you normally can buy. Well I got some beads from fort hall reservation in Idaho so I assume maybe others would have the same

I just found some some 1/16" 1.5mm copper beads. these should be the proper size for the #22 hooks.

[Silver Doctor]

Could you post a materials list

[zug buggin]

Could you post a materials list

hook: #22 scud/emerger hook
thread: 8/0 brown
bead head: 1/16" 1.5mm copper bead best if colored darker with brown sharpie
pictured with a 11/0 glass seed bead which is too big for a #22
tail: 3 strands of bleached Pheasant Tail
rib: small gold wire
abdomen: Pheasant tail
wing case: brown Dura Skin
thorax: gold Hares Ear picked out for legs

[Mr. Vegas]

if you live close to an indian reservation, they sometimes have smaller beads than you normally can buy. Well I got some beads from fort hall reservation in Idaho so I assume maybe others would have the same

I just found some some 1/16" 1.5mm copper beads. these should be the proper size for the #22 hooks.

where were you going to get the beads from? Interested in getting some too

[rockworm]

Considering the size, that is one nicely-tyed fly! Personally, I would forget the bead and place a bit of lead putty (or a small spit-shot) a foot or so above the fly. IMHO this would let the fly behave more naturally and would certainly improve hook-ups.

[notenuftoys]

I would like to see another version with the smaller bead, but I also agree with the other comments that the bead could be left off. Great start, though! And imagine, actually looking into the entymology to tie more accurate flies! Now you have me thinking....

[the saltydog]

you should check out the flymen beads, they make them tiny and adonized in various colors

nice fly, I would suggest that you try to work on the body taper a bit.

[steve'O]

Zug bug,
Nice tye- I will also go with leave the bead off, I have found with no bead or added weigh to the fly they act more natural. I have done 100's of kick surveys for our FF club and state in the last few years and one thing that does stand out is when a nymph is dropped into the water they don't drop straight to the bottom like a rock they sort of sink with the flow of the current. one other thing to try with a size 22 sub some dark brown or olive tying thread for the rib in place of the gold. One note if you look at nymphs when they are taken directly from the water as opposed to ones that have been clean up for photos they have a much more dark mottled apperence to them. keep it up really nice fly.
Steve

I've been tying for many years, but recently have been doubting many of the patterns I use. I've been researching BWO nymphs looking for a pattern for a tiny BWO nymph. Here in North Georgia we get lots of tiny BWO that hatch year round noticably in the sparadic warn snaps we have here in the deep south. After much time spent on Entomology sites studing pictures of BWO nymphs I was shocked to learn they aren't olive in color but 90% are tan with a brown head and wing case. I guess its fly tyers and fisherman fixating on the Olive in the name. I'm posting a picture of my finished fly in size #22 tied on a Sud/emerger style hook and also a pictue of the nymph I copied it form form the site Troutnut. I'm looking for suggestions to improve the fly.