Tiger Baetis Nymph is a simple and effective Baetis (BWO) nymph pattern, which you can use on any stream or river. 

 

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Materials: 

 

Hook: Mustad S80-3906 (https://amzn.to/2K9RWO8)
Thread: UTC 140 Denier Watery Olive (https://amzn.to/3mYYOwj)
Tails: Coq de Leon Fibers (https://amzn.to/3a6UF5V)
Rib: X-Small Brown Copper Wire (https://amzn.to/37NvJ09)
Body: UTC Watery Olive (https://amzn.to/3mYYOwj)
Tiger Stripes: Brown Marker (https://amzn.to/37K2V8Z)
Wing Case: Black Marker (https://amzn.to/39V1s2s)
Coating: Solarez Bone Dry (https://amzn.to/3m3o4jn) 

 

Fly Tying Gear: 

 

Regal Stainless Steel Revolution and Base (https://amzn.to/3gxmQvL) 

Regal Vise Tool Bar Attachment (https://amzn.to/2IxpKEe) 

Cohen's Sculpting Scissors 

Matarelli whip finisher (https://amzn.to/370HxNu) 

 

Camera Gear: Camera: 

 

Panasonic GH4 (https://amzn.to/2ItiCsu) 

Lens: Panasonic 30mm Macro (https://amzn.to/3n0ZZe) 

Ring Light: Neewer 48 Macro LED (https://amzn.to/2VUSfii) 

Fill Light (2): Aputure H198 (https://amzn.to/39V2D1S) 

Battery: Wasabi Power Battery and charger. (https://amzn.to/2VRyo3s) 

Backdrop: Dark Grey & Light Grey (https://amzn.to/33UzUX3) 

 

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© 2020 Louis DiGena All Rights Reserved. #loudigena #flytying #flyfishing

Alternitives for Chadwick 477

First, thanks are in order to Richard, a.k.a. Regular Rod at Dry Fly 'Expert (https://dryflyexpert.blogspot.com/).  If it was not for his generosity and kindness, I would not have a sample of Chadwick's 477 to use as a reference.

Many readers of the blog know I've been searching for a Chadwick's 477 mending yarn substitute.  While Veniard sells a good substitute for the yarn used in Frank Sawyer's Killer Bug, I would never know if it was close.  I've never seen the genuine article until Richard sent me the sample.

It's been a small obsession to find a substitute for Chadwick's 477 starting with me getting Frank Sawyer's Nymphs and the Trout published in 1958 by Stanley Paul & Co. and Oliver Edwards video Essential Patterns.  I've used Rag wool from an old sweater (Rag Bug) before locating a source of Veniard's Chadwick's 477 substitute (Killer Bug Yarn). Next I found a bag of "Fun with Fibers" yarn while cleaning out an old crafts locker (Possible Chadwick 477 Substitute).  Then Patons Classic Wool Yarn (00229) Natural Mix, which I use for my K.I.S.S. Crane Fly Larva.

It was that post and my request for a sample that now brings me to the end of the quest.  Here are the comparisons.

Richard's letter and sample.

The finalist.

A close-up of the field.

Veniard vs. Original 477

Patons vs. Original 477

Fun with Fibers vs. Original 477

Now I think the winner is clear  - "Fun with Fibers," but no luck finding any.  I could not find any information on the yarn and there was no company information on the packaging.  So the closest which you can buy is the Patons Classic Wool Yarn (00229) Natural Mix.  The problem with the Patons is dye lots can vary and it's 100% wool, not the 85% wool 15% nylon blend found in the Chadwick's 477.  Now the Venards is the furthest from the Chadwick's, but is that due to dye lot or year the yarn was manufactured?  I don't know.  One thing I do know is that Trout don't care if it's the genuine article. They only care if it looks and acts like food.  It's up to the fisher to feel or see the take, strike and land the fish.

So thanks to Richard I have a sample that I can compare to any other yarn when my supply runs out.

Richard again thanks and cheers, expect something in the post.

Rag Bug takes it First Victim.

Crane flies are starting to pop around here in the east.  Crane flies are in most river system's and the larva are abundant. Crane fly larva come range in sizes from a size 16 all the way up to an 8 and are a large meal to any trout.

Crane Fly Larva from wikipedia.

There are many patterns that work well to imitate this abundant food source.  The first and foremost is Frank Sawyers Killer Bug. To see how it's tied one I recommend Tying Frank Sawyer's Killer Bug with Davie McPhail on YouTube. The Killer Bug uses Chadwick 477 which is almost impossible to find. Veniard sells a fine substitute (See Killer Bug Yarn post).  I also found some old craft yard which looks like it will do the job as well (See Possible Chadwick 477 Substitute), but I've not tried it to date.

Another great Crane fly larva imitation is Walt Young's Walt's Worm.  The Jersey Angler has a great post Sometimes Simple is Best... Walt's Worm.

So what to do if you can't fine or wait for Veniard 477 order to ship, well you can do what I did.  Go to your wardrobe and fine an old Rag Wool sweater (one that shrunk or in my case, doesn't fit my fat ass). Cut out a good size piece and pull apart the fibers and tie my Rag Bug.

Here is the Rag Bug's first victim. 

This Hen slammed the Rag Bug.

Smile for the camera.

Here is a valuable tip, If you don't tie take or can't wait take any Hare's Ear nymph and with your nippers cut way the wing case and tail any you'll have a very effect Crane fly larva pattern.  I've done this many time when I lost my last Walt's Worm while fishing.

Possible Chadwick 477 Substitute

I found this craft yard package at work while cleaning out an old locker from a craft class called "Fun with Fibers."  The package contains 10 skeins of natural colored yards (2 of each).

It seems to be a wool polyester/nylon blend, it's soft and has the sparkle of Antron yarn.  There is no way of knowing since the packaging gives no clue of the blend, not could I find the product online.

I compared it to Veniard's No. 477 and it looks close.  I have to tie a few Sawyer's Killer Bugs with the 3 closes matches and see which produces.  Needless the yarn looks very buggy and should work for several nymph patterns.

"Fun with Fibers" Package

Possible Chadwick 477 Substitute #1

Possible Chadwick 477 Substitute #2

Possible Chadwick 477 Substitute #3

Veniard No. 477 and Fun with Fibers #1 side-by-side

Close-up "Fun with Fibers" (top), Veniard No. 477 (bottom)

Veniard No. 477 and Fun with Fibers #2 side-by-side

Close-up "Fun with Fibers" (top), Veniard No. 477 (bottom)

(Fun with Fibers #2 looks the closest)

 Veniard No. 477 and Fun with Fibers #3 side-by-side

Close-up "Fun with Fibers" (top), Veniard No. 477 (bottom)

Road Kill Materials

While picking up my boys from school on Monday I spotted a Pheasant on the opposite side of the high way.  Sure enough it was Cock Pheasant that met with windshield of a car some time over the weekend.  The breast and underside of the bird was destroyed.  The wings and tail feathers looked good so I clipped them. Now I need to do is to pick-up some Boraxo and clean meat off.  The tail is on the short side but has good long fibers.

Ice Flash

I found this in my local Lowe's over the holidays.  How could I pass up  a life time of Flashabou for a dollar.  I'm calling it Ice Flash,  500 pices and 18 inches long.  You never know where you'll find alternative materials.  Looks like I'll be tying a lot of flashbacks.

Killer Bug Yarn

At the Fly Fishing Show in Somerset, NJ today I was able to get from one of the vendors Sawyer's Killer Bug Yarn.  This is not the original Chadwick's 477, but is the closest around. As you can see it is a tan yarn.

Rag Bug

The Rag Bug is my version of Frank Sawyer's Killer Bug. This is a excellent crane fly larvae imitation.

The original Killer Bug is tied with Chadwick 477 (good luck find any). There are some substitute's, Chadwicks 477 Substitute from (http://www.lathkill.com/shop/index.php?productID=1658) and 477 Killer Bug Yarn from (http://www.fishingmegastore.com/view.php?module=products&productID=2530).

Like me you may have a rag wool sweater that no longer fits. The color is simular to other crane fly larvae imitation most notably Walt's Worm tied with Hareline Hares Ear Plus #1. Both Walt's Worm and the Killer Bug are deadly patterns and dead simple to tie.

A simple image search of a crane fly larvae will show you how well this pattern imitates the natural.

Thread – .32 gauge Brown Parawire

Hook – TMC 2302 or any Nymph hook

Size 8-16

Body – Rag Wool

 1. Mash down barb and secure in vice.

 

2. Wind wire onto hook.  I use a dab of super glue to secure.

3. Secure Rag Wool and wind back.

4. Wind wire forward several wraps away from the hook eye.

 5. Wind Rag Wool forward and secure with 1-2 wraps.

 

6. Trim away the excess.

7. Whip finish with 2 - 3 turns, and break off the wire.

Sawyers Pheasant Tail Nymph - Tied with Parawire

Thread – .32 gauge Brown Parawire
Hook – TMC 2302 or any Nymph hook
Size 12-18
Body – Pheasant Tail Fibers

1. Mash down barb and secure in vice.

2. Wind wire onto hook. I use a dab of super glue.

This helps me to keep my wraps tight.

3. Secure pheasant tail fiber with 1-2 wraps.

4. Wrap fibers around the wire (creating a rope),
then wind forward.

5. Build a thorax with the wire, and tie in
additional fiber then wrap forward.

6. Pull fibers over for wing case (Forward).

7. Bring wire back with one turn and
pull fibers back over the wing case.

8. Whip finish 2- 3 turns, clip excess fibers, and your done.

Ultra Wire Substitute - Review

The Parawire is and it look's like a very good Ultra Wire substitute.  I purchased the .32 gauge, which is the same size as Ultra Wire's BR.  Good for Copper John's, Brassie's and ribbing. Sizes 10 to 18.

Ultra Wire Substitute

Found a new source for wire, looks similar to Ultra Wire.

The Craft Wire Store of Paramount Wire Co. | CBC Metal Supply
in East Orange, NJ

http://www.parawire.com/30-32gaugeParaWire.shtml

They have a good selection of colors and gauges for 12 to 34, but not in all colors.

I ordered a several colors and will post a review soon.