How to Tie the Bitch Creek Nymph – Step-by-Step Fly Tying Guide

Fly Tying

May 5

The Bitch Creek Nymph is a classic stonefly imitation known for its woven tiger weave abdomen and fish-catching versatility — effective for trout, steelhead, and even panfish when fished deep. This pattern shines in western waters during salmonfly hatches but performs just as well as a general attractor nymph.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Step 1: Prepare the Hook

Use a Mustad R75 (5X long) size 6 hook or go smaller (size 8 or 10) based on your fishing needs.
Debarb the hook before tying.
Wrap 19–20 turns of 0.025 lead-free wire onto the shank to create a weighted underbody. Push the wraps toward the middle.

Step 2: Start the Thread Base

Attach UTC 140 denier black thread just behind the eye.
Wrap back over the lead, securing it in place, and form a slight thread dam behind the lead to taper the body.

Step 3: Add Antennae

Cut a 1" piece of white round rubber legs (medium size).
Tie in a single strand on top of the hook just behind the eye. Secure it tightly so that when split later, the legs stand slightly upright.

Step 4: Add Tail (Back Legs)

Cut a longer piece (about 1.5") of the same white rubber leg material.
Tie it in at the rear of the hook with one end extending off the back and the other wrapped forward over the lead. Trim the forward-facing excess.

Step 5: Tie in the Weaving Material

Use fine rayon chenille in black and yellow.
Tie in the yellow chenille on your near side (left), and black on the far side (right), keeping them lateral (not on top) to give a flatter profile.
Stop wrapping about 1/3 of the hook shank from the eye — this space is reserved for the thorax.

Step 6: Perform the Tiger Weave

Black (right hand) goes straight across.
Yellow (left hand) wraps over black, under the hook, and to the far side.
Continue this pattern, ensuring even tension to keep the black on top and yellow on the bottom.
Maintain backward tension to avoid gaps and preserve the clean side line.
Stop weaving at the end of the abdomen. Secure with hackle pliers.

Step 7: Reattach Thread and Secure the Weave

Reattach thread where the abdomen ends.
Tie off both chenilles on top of the hook and trim the yellow.
Secure the black and smooth out the thorax area with thread wraps.

Step 8: Add the Hackle

Use a brown saddle hackle (Whiting or similar).
Tie in the feather by the tip, facing rearward.
Leave space behind the eye for the head and to avoid crowding.

Step 9: Build the Thorax

Wrap the remaining black chenille forward, making 4–5 turns.
Then reverse-wrap it slightly backward for bulk.
Tie off and trim.

Step 10: Wrap the Hackle

Palmer the brown hackle over the thorax (4–5 turns).
Tie off and trim excess.

Step 11: Finish the Fly

Pull rubber legs to desired positions and trim to about half the hook shank length.
Form a small head with thread.
Whip finish and apply head cement.
Done!