Hey there, fellow anglers! If you’re looking for a fly that’ll get both trout and grayling (graining) excited, you’ve got to check out this little beauty: my variation of Ros’s Pink Pheasant Tail. I fished this one on the Saana and let me tell you, it pulled in some absolute monsters—one over 5 pounds in the first day!

The magic here is the simplicity: a quick, easy-to-tie pattern that packs a punch in your fly box. I swapped the traditional pheasant tail for a Dullon tail to give it a little extra flair while keeping the tie super fast. Whether you’re gearing up for winter nymphing or just want a go-to trout killer, this fly is one you’ll want plenty of.

This one’s got a bit of character. The Casual Dress Nymph, originally from the mind of Poly Roseboro, is one of those old-school, scruffy-looking patterns that just plain works. It’s not flashy, not fussy, and it sure doesn’t care if your wraps are picture-perfect. This fuzzy nymph imitates just about anything squirmy and alive drifting down the current — which makes it an absolute trout magnet. It’s a little tricky to tie thanks to those dubbing loops, but trust me, once you get the hang of it, you’ll have a fly that catches fish from the Smokies to the Rockies. Imperfect is perfect here — fish love messy.

oday we’re diving into a killer pattern that’ll make trout and other gamefish think twice—meet the Jigged CDC Hothead Pheasant Tail. This little guy is perfect for Euro rigs, under an indicator, or even as a stillwater bug. With pre-spawn activity and eggs in the water, that vibrant hot head is sure to spark curiosity—and a few strikes! Whether you’re chasing trout in streams or ponds, this fly is compact, flashy, and irresistible.

There’s nothing quite like those post-storm days when flying ants take over the waterways, and the trout can’t resist. This foam flying ant pattern is your ticket to imitating those little aerial invaders that trout go wild for. It floats beautifully, has the perfect scraggly wings, and shows that irresistible cinnamon underside that trout can’t help but smack. Whether you’re tying it for a big afternoon on Victorian rivers or just want a trusty ant pattern in your box, this fly will have you catching fish and turning heads on the water. Let’s get tying!

Today we’re tying up a real looker — the Green Drake Half Hog. This pattern is one of those flies that turns heads both in the vise and on the water. It’s got that big-bug attitude of a Drake but tied with a subtle, natural profile that makes trout lose their composure during a hatch.

Think of it as the perfect cross between finesse and confidence — a sturdy, buoyant emerger that sits just right in the film. Whether you’re chasing late-spring hatches on a limestone stream or swinging through a Scottish loch, this one’s going to earn a spot in your fly box in sizes 10 and 12.

Today we’re tying the CDC Bubble Caddis, a simple yet realistic dry fly that sits perfectly in the surface film and fools picky trout all day long. This little caddis imitator has all the right moves — a soft CDC underwing that traps air like the real thing, a buoyant elk hair top for visibility, and just enough scruffy dubbing to scream “buggy.”

It’s a great choice when trout are keying in on egg-laying adults or spent caddis. And the best part? No pricey hackle required — just natural materials and smart design. If you’re tired of flies that sink after a few drifts, this one’s your new best friend on the river.

We’re diving into one of the true classics of American dry flies: the Conover. Straight out of Mike Valla’s Tying the Founding Flies, this pattern is pure Catskill tradition — simple, elegant, and surprisingly effective.

It’s what I like to call a “no-nonsense” fly. Just three elements — tail, body, and hackle — but don’t let that simplicity fool you. The Conover shines as both a caddis hatch match and a generic mayfly attractor, and it’s one of those patterns that’ll quietly earn a permanent spot in your fly box. Plus, with its subtle dubbing blend of muskrat and red wool, it’s got that old-school charm that just looks fishy.

Today, we’re diving into a fly pattern that’s a true river favorite—the Veiled Beaded Egg, affectionately known as an Egg Bomb. Perfect for those salmon and trout sneaky nibbles in New Zealand rivers like the Tongero, Rotaroa Lakes, Titi, or Hanamaya, this pattern gets right down to the bottom where the action is.

Ah, the classic Hot Spot Jigged Pheasant Tail—a grayling favorite that also drives trout crazy! Dark, natural tones paired with a splash of pink UV make this fly irresistible underwater. Whether you’re floating it in a calm stream or bouncing it along a riffle, this nymph has a way of convincing even the most stubborn fish to bite. Today, we’re going to tie it step by step so you can add this lethal little pattern to your fly box. Let’s get those hooks wet!

Today we’re diving into one of my favorite nymph patterns: the IPN – Idiot Proof Nymph. True to its name, this little gem is simple to tie, but deadly effective on trout. The black-and-gold version we’re crafting today has a subtle shimmer and lifelike movement that trout just can’t resist. Whether you’re stalking a spring creek or swinging a deep pool, this nymph is your secret weapon for getting bites when the fish are feeling finicky. Let’s grab our vice and get rolling!

Well hey there, fly fishers! Today we’re diving into the world of one of the most versatile and irresistible patterns out there—the Caddis Larva Fly. This little guy isn’t just any bug; it’s a ticket to catching more fish, whether you’re wading a gentle stream or stalking trophy trout in a mountain creek. We’re going to break it down step-by-step, so you can tie a fly that not only looks realistic but can take a few bumps and bruises from a feisty fish. Grab your vise, let’s make a larva that’ll have fish losing their minds!

Ah, the classic Gold-Ribbed Hares Ear—one of my all-time favorite dry flies! This version with a wing is a tribute to the early days of fly tying, when every new pattern felt like a personal masterpiece. Perfect for imitating nymphs emerging to the surface, this fly sits elegantly on the water, catching trout’s attention even when the river’s a little lazy. Whether you’re tying for nostalgia or your next trout adventure, this fly is fun, forgiving, and incredibly effective. Grab your materials and let’s make a bit of history on the vise today!

The Peacock Corn-Fed Caddis from Lance Egan is a twist on one of the most proven caddis patterns out there. You’ve probably fished the tan or olive versions before, but this one? This one’s got a touch of peacock herl magic — that shimmering, iridescent glow that trout simply can’t pass up.

This fly floats high, looks irresistibly buggy, and combines the best of classic natural materials like CDC and peacock with a touch of modern flash. Whether you’re drifting it through a soft riffle or skittering it over a bubbling pocket, the Peacock Corn-Fed Caddis is a recipe for trout-induced chaos. Let’s tie it up and make something the fish won’t forget.

When autumn rolls in and the river starts to cool, salmon begin to crave something a little richer, a little moodier than the bright yellows of summer. That’s where the Rusty Banana comes in — a seasoned twist on the classic Banana fly that’s aged like fine whisky. With its warm reds, browns, and a hint of burnt orange, this fly glows in the stained fall water and brings that perfect mix of flash and movement to wake up even the most stubborn salmon. It’s the kind of pattern you tie on when you want your fly to look like it’s been around the block — a bit rugged, full of confidence, and ready to swing through that deep autumn pool.

Alright folks, grab your coffee and clear off that tying bench — today we’re diving into a real gem called the Sugar Mama, created by the talented Kesha Atkin, Umpqua’s only female signature fly tier. This fly breaks the mold on jig streamers. Forget the same old squirrel strip look — the Sugar Mama dances through the current with a feather body and just the right touch of flash. Think of it as a mini baitfish with attitude — sleek, shiny, and hungry for attention. It’s a simple tie with a few clever tricks that make it fishy as all get-out. So, let’s get that vise spinning and make some magic happen.

The Sparkle Dun is a proven dry fly that imitates emerging mayflies with a subtle trailing shuck and buoyant wing — perfect for matching the hatch during heavy rises.

A high-floating, foam-bodied attractor dry fly, the Fat Albert is perfect for big terrestrial hatches and works great as a top fly in dry-dropper rigs.

Understanding fly tying thread is essential for tying effective, durable flies—this guide breaks down thread types, sizing systems, and essential tips every fly tyer should know.

This soft hackle bugger is a highly mobile streamer pattern designed to pulsate and swim realistically in the water with every twitch and strip.