Dry FliesTwo Bit Sally
The Two Bit Sally is Charlie Craven's innovative dry fly pattern that features a unique double tungsten bead design for increased visibility and a subtle jigging action on the water. This Yellow Sally stonefly imitation combines Superhair body material with Fluorofiber legs and holographic tinsel casing to create a pattern that sits perfectly in the surface film.
Spring, Summer
Intermediate
Trout
Dec 2025
Overview
This Charlie Craven pattern from Charlie's Fly Box showcases an innovative use of tungsten beads on a dry fly. The two small beads add just enough weight to help the pattern sit correctly in the film while also serving as a visible indicator for the angler. The combination of Superhair strands creates a natural translucency while the UV resin finish provides durability and a subtle sheen.
Materials
Hook: JB01 or Daiichi 1150, #14-16
Thread: UNI 8/0, yellow
Bead: Tungsten, 2mm or 2.4mm, gold (2 beads)
Tail: Wooster Paint Brush Fiber or Yellow Mayfly Tails
Body: Superhair, 3 yellow chartreuse and 1 red strand
Thorax: UNI 8/0, yellow (thread built up)
Casing: Holographic Tinsel, medium, copper
Legs: Fluorofiber, yellow or shrimp
Glue: Solarez UV Resin, medium
Behavior & Presentation
Natural Behavior: Yellow Sally stoneflies ride the surface with wings held tent-like during emergence and egg-laying activity, struggling briefly before attempting flight. Their golden coloration and active surface movement attract aggressive strikes.
Where Trout Eat It: Fish position in riffle-to-run transitions and pocket water, rising to Yellow Sallies drifting in the surface film.
How to Fish It: Dead drift through riffles and runs with occasional slight twitches mimicking the struggling flight attempts of naturals.
Best Water: Focus on riffles where stoneflies emerge, runs collecting drifting adults, and pocket water concentrating surface insects.
Strike Type: Expect visible rises and confident takes as fish attack the pattern on the surface.
Fishing Strategy
Rigging Suggestions: Fish on 5X-6X fluorocarbon tippet. The double bead design makes the fly easier to track visually, reducing the need for an indicator.
Seasonal Timing: Most effective during when Yellow Sally stoneflies are active. Peak activity typically occurs from late morning through afternoon.
Pro Tips: The yellow coloration and holographic tinsel casing provide excellent visibility for the angler. The fly rides low in the film with a realistic silhouette that matches emerging or egg-laying Yellow Sallies.
Entomology
Pale morning dun adults rest on the water surface immediately after emergence, slowly drying their freshly unfurled wings while drifting downstream in vulnerable clusters. Fish rise confidently to these newly hatched mayflies because they float motionless for extended periods during morning and evening emergence windows, making them predictable and easy prey.
- Order
- Ephemeroptera
- Family
- Ephemerellidae
- Common Name
- Pale Morning Dun
- Organism Type
- insect
- Life Stage
- dun