Tying Tiny Flies Midges, Tricos and Baetis are all significant parts of the trout diet. Midges are abundant on virtually every type of trout water and, at some times of the year, midges are the only food source that will bring trout to the surface. Tricos hatch on both lakes and slow-moving streams in prodigious numbers. Baetis (blue wing olives) hatch on many western rivers, but frequently are also present near the inlets of lakes where minimal current exists because they drift down stream into the head of a lake. All are tiny and all can be imitated by dry flies that are easy to tie in small sizes and remarkably effective in catching fish. The secret to tying # 18-22 flies lies in finding simple patterns and durable materials. Because the naturals are often found in quiet, glassy water, tiny flies must be reasonably imitative in size and profile. While color is less important, it too can be matched with little difficulty. In this class we will be tying three tiny patterns, each in size #20. We will also discuss the best materials (and alternatives) and reviewing angling circumstances and methods.

Trico/Baetis Spinner

Trico Spinner Baetis Spinner Hook: Tiemco 100, Daiichi 1170 or similar Size 18-22 Thread: Black or Olive 8/0 Tail: Crystal flash grey hackle fibers, microfibbets (or a zelon shuck) Wings: Grey straight zelon Abdomen: Black or olive thread for baetis, olive for trico Thorax: Black, dark olive superfine dubbing for baetis, /brown superfine dubbing for trico NOTE: By varying the size and body color of this fly, we can match both female trico (#18) and baetis (#20) spinners. This pattern also works well during midge hatches.

Midge Emerger

Midge Hook: Umpqua Daiichi 1130, Tiemco 2487/8 or similar Size 18-22 Thread: Black, Olive or Green 8/0 Uni-Thread or TMC Body: Thread and/or superfine dubbing to match thread color Rib: Fine silver (or other color) wire or contrasting thread Wing: Natural Sparkle Dun Deer Hair Hackle: Dun, black or grizzly

Black Wing Baetis Cripple

Baetis Dun Hook: Daiichi 1170, Tiemco 5210 or similar Size 18-22 Thread: Olive Dun 8/0 Uni-Thread or Olive 14/0 Gordon Griffith's Shuck: Baetis Olive, Medium Dun, or Mayfly Brown Crinkled Zelon Body: Olive superfine dubbing Wing: Black EP Fibers or Zelon Hackle: Medium or Dark Dun (clipped) NOTE: Baetis are multi-brooded. That means they hatch in both spring and fall. The spring baetis (April and early May) are a healthy size #18. The fall baetis (late September and October) are size #20-22.