TheCream

Ice Dub. I was going for a Thread Frenchie style zebra midge. I used UV Brown Ice Dub on those.

Are you asking me why? Because sometimes, in some places, fish key on tiny stuff.

I've been tying some small stuff lately.

I've always had really good luck with the DaiRiki 125 (considered an emerger hook) on midge patterns like zebras and similar patterns. I've got them down to I think 22 or 24, but fish the 20's most often. It seems to hook and hold fish really well for a small hook, but I think DaiRiki's have gone away. Correct me if I'm wrong. I'd still look at the curved shank emerger hooks other companies offer in the size range you need.

Just a heads up, I did a quick SBS of this pattern and wrote it up on my blog. Here's the link. It's been crushing fish lately. https://bobcathollow.blogspot.com/2019/10/tying-tutorial-balanced-vfs-minnow.html

I have an offering, but I fall into your handful.

Lovechild of a Frenchie, egg, and a soft hackle. Something to live animal test on Lake Erie steelhead.

Very nice, Bruce.

Little trout bugs (size 14) Bigger steelhead bugs (size 8)

Minimizing exposed thread goes a long ways towards making flies more durable. And that exposed thread (hopefully just at the hook eye) can be coated with cement to help. Nothing can make a fly 100% bulletproof but things can be done to reinforce otherwise delicate flies. A good hack for the pheasant tail nymph (or any other nymph using pheasant for the abdomen) is to apply a little CA glue to the hook before wrapping, then counter wrap with wire. It makes them substantially more durable.

Good vise. Mine has served me well for many years.

Just a red schlappen feather wrapped before the deer hair was stacked in.

Love these little poppers / sliders you're making Jeff Thanks! The panfish love this little bug.

Excellent as usual Jeff! Kimo Thanks!

Size 10 bluegill slider.

Before. After. These flies worked overtime in Utah last week.

Would stacked wool work for what you need? You could do like a Popovic's style Siliclone head, stacked and trimmed wool coated in silicone.