With spring essentially here in Arizona, I wanted to remind everyone that if you are looking to refill your fly box or add to your wardrobe, the Arizona Wanderings shop is fully stocked and operational. Spring is usually the time when many guys from the Southwest start to think about heading to the tailwaters and especially the San Juan River. The San Juan River collection in the Shop is a great place to start if it’s the first time heading to the river or if it is just time to refill the midge box before getting out on any of the Western tailwaters where the bugs are small.

Streamer patterns are also a great place to start on many of Arizona’s creeks and lakes. The Simi-Seal Buggers that I tie up are super durable and will do the trick when trying to fool those big browns and bows. I have even tempted a few of the carp and bass in the local lakes and ponds with a nice green simi-seal bugger.

Finally, if your looking for some good mojo once you get on the water, better pick up an Arizona Wanderings t-shirt. I have these shirts currently in Medium to XXX-L. I always appreciate the support, so swing on over and pick up an Arizona Wanderings T-shirt.

On a side note, I have been slowly but surely working on a new project for the past several months and after putting the finishing touches on it, I will be launching a new product in the Arizona Wanderings Shop. I’m excited to have it done and share it with my readers, so please stay tuned.  As always, thanks for the support. If you haven’t had a chance, go check out the Arizona Wanderings Shop.

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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.

Step 1

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.

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

I really like this midge size vinyl rib.

Step 3: Tie in vinyl rib.

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.

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