My normal routine is tying big bushy dry flies for the small streams here in Arizona, with the occasional pheasant tail or simi-seal bugger to drift when the fish are being lazy. Tying wicked small midges is something that is foreign to me and therefore a little daunting. With some plans this next year to get out and fish some of the bigger tail-waters in the Southwest, it was time to start facing my fears and tie something a little smaller than a #18 parachute. I put some feelers out and asked some questions and Mike over at Dry Flies and Fat Tires has really been helpful in pointing me to certain patterns and even sent me an assortment of midges he tied up to use as prototypes.
I tied up a large assortment of #18s and #20s but apparently for the San Juan and Lees Ferry, I am going to need to go smaller. So, I have started the journey of tying smaller midge and beatis patterns. The midges on the left are #22s and #24s where the ones on the right are some of the first flies I tied and most are #18s or #20s. Please bear in mind that this small stuff is relatively new to me, but I welcome any thoughts on the flies pictured below.
Your flies look great. I can recognize a few of them and with those you can be in the 20/20 club. Good luck on the San Juan.
Thanks Thomas. I appreciate the encouragement. I’m probably going to be needing a lot of luck, but I’ll keep you posted. Over the next couple of weeks, I will be tying quite a few different patterns so hopefully I’ll have some of those up for everyone to critique. Thanks again.
Ben
hey they got there! Schweet! Chocolate foam wings and zebras, yum! Looking good my man, keep at it~ mike
Thanks Mike. It’s been fun learning some new patterns and filling up the box. Thanks again for all the help.
Ben