Fly Tying: The Red Hot

Fly Tying: The Red Hot

The Red Hot pattern is a simple but highly productive pattern on the San Juan River. The annelids that float down this river are a constant food source for the big trout that swim in its waters. On my last trip to the San Juan, I found that a double nymph rig was a great way to fish this pattern.

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Step 1

Killer Caddis Beads
Killer Caddis Beads

Finding beads that are small enough to fit on a size 22 or 24 hook can be a little bit of a trick. Normally, I would head to the craft store, but even their smallest glass beads are too big for these small hooks. I found these Killer Caddis Beads at Cabela’s and they seem work just fine.

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Step 2: Tie on thread. I tend to use UTC 70 Ultra Thread on these small flies.

Midge (MDG) Vinyl Rib
Midge (MDG) Vinyl Rib

I really like this midge size vinyl rib.

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Step 3: Tie in vinyl rib.

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Step 4: The vinyl rib as two sides: a flat and a rounded edge. I like to tie the Red Hot with the rounded edge up as it gives it a more segmented and clean look, but I have seen it tied both ways. Tie rib forward, secure, and whip finish.

A great tailwater fly that is quick and easy to tie. (Note: I think I can easily talk myself into a macro lens…)

The Red Hot is a part of the San Juan Fly collection now available in the Arizona Wanderings Shop.

San Juan Fly Collection
San Juan Fly Collection
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7 Responses to “Fly Tying: The Red Hot”

  1. Gary

    Ben, Sounds like the next time you get a break from school. The Juan is calling you.

    Reply
    • azwanderings

      Tell me about it Gary. Wish I could just retire and start fishing for a living…

      Reply
  2. cofisher

    My that’s a nice looking fly and seems perfect for the Juan. I hope to get there next year, so I’ll be tying some of these if I can find the beads.

    Reply
    • azwanderings

      Very cool. Interesting piece of water out there with some big old rainbows. Sure is fun to fish. Keep me posted on how it goes.

      Ben

      Reply
  3. Colton

    A couple of questions about this great looking fly. Do you coat it with anything (I.E sally hansen’s etc…)?
    Also, what style of hook do you use? I was wondering, what size hook do you use in the pictures?

    Reply
    • azwanderings

      Colton,

      Thanks so much for your email. I dont coat these bugs with anything although you surely could. That could actually keep these bugs almost bullet proof if you decided to add something to them. In the picture I am using a size 20 1x long curved hook. I buy them from Allen Fly Fishing. The hook gap is a bit small but I really like the way they look and they fish great. Hope that helps.

      Ben

      Reply

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