Dry FliesTimmy
The Timmy is a versatile dry fly emerger pattern that combines the proven effectiveness of a dubbed hare's mask body with innovative poly pro yarn elements that create wing, legs, and casing. This pattern features a split moose body hair tail, a slim brown hare's mask dubbing body, and a multi-colored poly pro yarn configuration in black, smoke grey, and brown that suggests both emerging wings and splayed legs. The result is a highly impressionistic pattern that can imitate various mayfly emergers including baetis and small PMDs.
Spring, Summer, Fall
Intermediate
Trout
Overview
This Charlie Craven pattern from Charlie's Fly Box demonstrates his creative approach to emerger design. The name "Timmy" reflects Craven's personable approach to naming flies. The curved Tiemco 2487 hook creates the emerging posture that helps this fly ride correctly in the surface film with the abdomen curving down into the water. The moose body hair tail provides excellent buoyancy and the split fibers suggest the trailing shuck of an emerging mayfly. The hare's mask dubbing creates a buggy, textured body with natural variation in color and fiber length. The poly pro yarn, used in multiple colors, serves triple duty as wing material, leg suggestion, and wing case - creating a complex silhouette with minimal bulk. The combination of dark (black), medium (smoke grey), and natural (brown) yarn colors adds depth and visual interest to the fly.
Pattern Characteristics
Materials
Hook: Tiemco 2487, #14-22
Thread: Nano Silk 18/0 (Semperfli), brown
Tail: Moose Body Hair
Body: Nature's Spirit Hare's Mask Dubbing, brown
Wing/Legs: Polypropylene Macrame Yarn, black, smoke grey, and brown
Fishing Tips
Season
Most effective during mayfly emergence seasons - spring through fall. Particularly productive during baetis hatches in spring and fall when fish are looking for emergers in the surface film.
Presentation
Fish dead drift in the surface film with a drag-free presentation. The emerger profile means this fly should sit partially submerged. Target subtle rise forms and sipping fish that indicate emerger feeding activity.
When to Use
Select this pattern when trout are feeding on emerging mayflies but refusing fully emerged dun patterns. The Timmy excels during heavy hatches when fish become selective and when they're keying on emergers rather than duns.
Water Type
Designed for moving water, particularly slower currents, eddies, and pool tailouts where emergers concentrate and trout feed deliberately. Works well on technical spring creeks and tailwaters.
Rigging Suggestions
Fish on a 12-15 foot leader tapering to 5X-6X fluorocarbon tippet. The small hook sizes and delicate presentation require fine tippet. Can be used as part of a dry-dropper rig with a small nymph below.
Visibility & Floatation
The poly pro yarn wing provides visibility for the angler. Apply minimal floatant to keep the fly sitting correctly in the film - too much floatant will prevent the proper emerger posture.
