NymphTwo Bit Hooker
The Two Bit Hooker is a slim mayfly nymph tied on a Tiemco 921 with a copper-tone tungsten bead for quick sink and a segmented brown-and-black abdomen ribbed for durability. Mottled brown India hen back fibers form both the tail and the swept-back legs, with an opal Mirage tinsel wingcase and rusty brown Superfine dubbing thorax finished under clear resin. It's a durable, fast-sinking imitation of mayfly nymphs for fast Western freestones.
Year Round
Intermediate
Trout
Apr 2025
Overview
Built on a Tiemco 921 in sizes #14-18, the abdomen is wound in brown UTC 70 thread and cross-ribbed in black for a segmented, translucent look, while a copper-tone tungsten bead gets it to the bottom quickly in faster water. Mottled brown India hen back fibers do double duty as a forked tail and swept-back legs, bookending a rusty brown Superfine dubbing thorax topped with an opal Mirage tinsel wingcase for flash. A coat of clear resin over the abdomen adds durability and a touch of natural sheen. Tied in brown tones to match Baetis and other Western mayfly nymphs, it holds up well as an anchor fly in multi-nymph rigs fished year-round.
Where to Buy This Fly
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Materials
- Hook:
- #14-18 Tiemco 921
- Bead:
- Tungsten, Copper
- Thread:
- Brown UTC 70 denier
- Tail:
- Mottled Brown India Hen Back Fibers
- Abdomen:
- Brown UTC 70 Denier
- Rib:
- Black UTC 70 Denier
- Wingcase:
- Medium Opal Mirage Tinsel
- Thorax:
- Rusty Brown Superfine Dubbing
- Legs:
- Mottled Brown India Hen Back Fibers
- Body Coating:
- Clear Resin Finish
Behavior & Presentation
Natural Behavior: Mayfly nymphs occasionally lose their grip on rocky substrates in moderate to fast currents, tumbling helplessly in the drift while attempting to regain purchase. Their continuous availability as displaced naturals makes them staple food throughout the year.
Where Trout Eat It: Trout feed on this double-beaded nymph in fast pocket water where mayfly nymphs tumble helplessly after losing grip. Fish intercept it in hydraulic cushions behind boulders.
How to Fish It: Dead drift along bottom allowing double-beaded design to sink quickly and create unique jigging motion. Use as lead fly in Euro-nymphing setup or point fly in tandem rig.
Best Water: Focus on fast pocket water 2-6 feet deep, hydraulic seams behind boulders, and deep channel slots.
Strike Type: The double-bead design creates distinct jigging action that triggers firm takes; watch for sharp indicator dips or line pulls.
Fishing Strategy
Rigging Suggestions: Can be used as the lead fly in a Euro-nymphing setup, or as the point fly in a traditional tandem rig.
Seasonal Timing: This pattern can be used throughout the year, but is particularly effective during Mayfly hatches.
Pro Tips: The double beads help this fly sink quickly to the feeding zone and also gives the fly a unique jigging motion that can entice strikes.
Entomology
Mayfly nymphs cling to rocky substrates in moderate to fast currents, occasionally losing their grip and tumbling helplessly in the drift while attempting to regain purchase on the bottom. Trout actively search for these drifting nymphs because they represent concentrated protein sources that appear continuously as naturals are displaced by current, making them a staple food item throughout the year.
- Order
- Ephemeroptera
- Common Name
- Mayfly
- Organism Type
- insect
- Life Stage
- nymph
