Spider Wet Fly & Caddis Larvae - Revisited

After looking at my previous spider wet fly post, I sat down to the fly tying table to refine the design.  The previous patterns still work well where I fish, but I wanted something that was an attractor nymph.  The following flies are not meant to imitate any particular aquatic insect.  My hope is that they will look pretty close to lots of trout food.

How to dye feathers for fly tying

I have read that feathers can be dyed at home using the sugar-less Kool-aid packets or just food coloring.  I was at the store today and noticed that the egg dying kits are available for Easter.  This got me thinking...

Brassie - BH (Bead Headed) Brassie - tied by: Jason

A very simple, yet highly functional pattern.  If you are looking for an easy pattern to start with: look no further.  Also, please note that the standard Brassie pattern doesn't have a bead head.

Recipe

#14 Tiemco 2457
Small copper wire
Peacock  Herl
X-Small copper bead
6/0 Black UNI thread 

The Mess - fly pattern by: Gary LaFontaine - tied by: Jason Barios

Recipe

Hook: Tiemco 100BL #12
Thread: Ultra Thread - Brown Olive
Overbody: Closed cell foam
Body: Fine olive  dubbing
Hackle: Mallard Flank - Natural
Tail: Brown hackle fibers

Surface film floater - The Mess

Midge Adult Photos - Castaic Lagoon, CA

I caught this little bugger back in November 2007 at Castaic Lagoon.  There is a shot of this midge near a quarter for sizing.

Fly Tying - Wet Fly - Spider Samples

Here are some samples of my attempts at different variations of a spider wet fly.  I usually fish them with a slow, twitching retrieve either on moving or still water.  I have been very successful with these flies on Piru Creek for trout, and Castaic Lagoon for Bass.

How to tie the Emergent Sparkle Pupa

Recipe:

Hook size: #14
Body: Tan sparkle scrap from over-body
Overbody: Tan sparkle yarn
Wing: Short, fine Deer hair
Thread: Brown olive 8/0
Thorax:  Brown  dubbing

Fly Tying Organization Tip #1 

Grab some of these up at Walmart for about $2 each...