Overview
This micro-nymph pattern features a slim black thread body ribbed with fine silver wire, a sparse pheasant tail tail, and a peacock herl thorax topped with a pearlescent tinsel casing for a touch of flash. It's a simple, fast tie ideal for imitating small mayfly or midge larvae, especially in technical tailwaters.
Related patterns
Behavior & presentation
- Natural Behavior
- Small baitfish swim in erratic patterns through open water, fleeing predators with quick directional changes and panicked bursts. These vulnerable fry get separated from schools and struggle against currents, becoming easy targets as they tire.
- Where Trout Eat It
- Trout ambush baitfish in mid-column positions near drop-offs and along channel swings where current concentrates vulnerable fry.
- How to Fish It
- Retrieve with short, erratic strips to imitate fleeing fry, pausing occasionally to let the fly sink and trigger following fish.
- Best Water
- Work drop-offs and channel swings in rivers and lake, targeting transition zones where baitfish move between feeding and shelter areas.
- Strike Type
- Trout strike aggressively with explosive takes as they chase down fleeing baitfish.
Fishing strategy
- Rigging Suggestions
- Use 5X-6X fluorocarbon tippet with 9-12 foot leaders. Fish as a single fly on a Euro rig or as a dropper 18 inches below a larger anchor nymph. Keep tippet thin to allow natural drift in slow currents.
- Seasonal Timing
- Effective throughout the year, but particularly productive during late through early (November-March) when Baetis are active, and during midge emergences in tailwater fisheries.
- Pro Tips
- The gold ribbing provides just enough flash to attract attention without spooking selective feeders. Match hook size (18-22) to naturals observed on the water.
Where to fish it
Rivers anglers pair with this fly, with local shops that stock it.
River details and fly shops from River & Run, our sister site.
Entomology
Baetis nymphs and midge pupae exhibit slender profiles as they navigate through current seams and eddies, with pupae ascending vertically while nymphs drift horizontally along the bottom. Fish selectively feed on these streamlined insects in clear water conditions where their small size requires precise feeding, targeting concentrated emergence periods when efficiency improves.
- Order
- Ephemeroptera
- Family
- Baetidae
- Common name
- Baetis
- Organism
- insect
- Life stage
- pupa
Pattern details
- Moving Water
- Rocky Mountain
- dead-drift
- indicator-nymph
- baetis-hatch
- midge-hatch
- low-clear-water
- tailwater
