Avid Tyer and Owner of North Woods Fly Company, Durham, ME: Nathan Wight
I think this applies to the art of fly fishing; “Learn the rules like a pro so you can break them like an artist.” – Pablo Picasso
Euro nymphing, tight line nymphing or high-stick nymphing, no matter what you choose to call it, can be an extremely effective way to catch fish. The key is to get the fly to the bottom and into the feeding lane of the fish. I, like a lot of trout fishers, grew up fishing the classic nymph patterns like Pheasant Tails and Hare’s Ears. Although these patterns are exceptional at mimicking the naturals as closely as possible in shape and color, I soon discovered with euro style flies, shape and weight were more important. I believe it is better to have four patterns in various weights than 100 of the same flies in the same weight. I often fish flashier flies when in high pressured waters for nothing else than to show the fish something different. I say all this based on my experiences. Not everyone will be the same and there are always exceptions.
With today’s modern materials, including various models and makes of hooks, beads, flash, fur and UV resins, your flies are limited only by your imagination. Whether you choose a mild-mannered pheasant tail style nymph or if you decide to go flashy with a rainbow of colors, the idea remains the same: tie sparse, easy to tie, rapidly sinking flies that will get you in the zone fast and remain there through your drift.
With this being the month of December and Christmas right around the corner, I tied a fly that even the “Big Man” himself would be happy to drift. The tungsten bead with some lead-free wire, the slender body and double wire rib are sure to get it in the zone fast.
Kringle’s Krusher
List of materials:
Hook: Patridge SLJ-16 or Firehole Outdoors 551 BL Wide Gape Jig Fly Hook
Bead: Hareline 2.8mm Fluorescent White Slotted Tungsten
Thread: Semperfli 30D Nanosilk Black and Classic waxed 6/0 Red
Tail: Peacock Sword fibers
Body: Flashabou in Color 6909 (Lime)
Rib: Semperfli Red and Gold .02mm wire
Collar: Gold Prism dub or Gold Ice Dub in a tight noodle and Red thread Hot Spot
Start out by placing a 2.8 mm size fluorescent white bead on a size 16 wide gap jig hook. Use a little lead or non-lead wire in .010 size to help secure the bead in place; about four or five turns pushed into the slot seems to do the trick.
I predominately use 30D nano silk thread for my jig flies. After starting the thread on behind the bead I lay down a thread base all the way to where I’ll tie in the tail.
For this fly I chose Peacock sword fiber for the tailing material. I apply 3 to 4 pieces of the sword material and bind the remainder down all the way back to the bead to keep the shape of the body uniform.
I then attach two pieces of .02 mm wire one in red and the other in gold on the opposite side of the hook shank for myself. I bind those wires down all the way to the tailing material and then return my thread to the bead. Then I attach a piece of lime green Flashabou right behind the bead.
Build the body by wrapping the Flashabou all the way to the tail and back again with good touching turns. Once you bind down the Flashabou and snip off the excess, then you can counter wrap both red and gold wire up the body and tie off behind the bead. At this point I whip finish and snip off the black thread and change to 6/0 red for the final two steps.
Apply a small amount of gold prism dub in a tight double noodle and wrapped tight against the bead.
Finish off the fly with a red hot spot collar, applying a little bit of UV resin to the thread before whip finishing. Snip off the excess thread and cure with a UV light.
