Hook: 10 2xl (Mustad 9671)
Thread: Black Monocord 3/0
Fur: Chocolate brown (preferably sable)
Throat: European grouse breast fibrils
Wing Case: Wild turkey tail
Tail: Grouse filo
The first question is "Sable?" I happened on mine from a moth eaten
coat with a sable liner at the neck. It's a bit old, but it's
unsurpassed in its dancing abilities. Fish can't resist it. But if
you can't chance upon some, then any fiber with supple qualities will
do. Tie it fuzzy and fat.
The filo, the down feather at the base of the grouse breast feather,
is cut to equal the body length to represent a sheaded husk, not
quite free from the nymph, suggested by the body. It triggers the
fish like a dinner bell.
Make the initial wrap solid flush and flat to the hook shank so it
will last until the hook fails (or snags). Use a full throat to aid
as a hook guard. Tie this one sturdily. It will need it to survive
the first day alone.
This is a rugged workhorse that works on everything from trout to
panfish to bass, any time of year. The nymph can resemble any number
of niaids, from dragon fly to hexigenias, all a tempting target,
represented in its most vulnerable state. Swim it slowly for best
effect. It's saved me from getting skunked more times than I care to
remember. Being my first and last resort, it starts off the fishing
with a bang and ends the fishing with a bang, leaving the middle to
fiddle with other flies out of curiosity.
Don't keep more than you can eat.