Instructions:

Before placing hook in the vise, place beadhead on shank of hook and push back to eye.

Placing hook in vise, wrap thread from behind eye of hook back to bend, Apply gray muskrat dubbing and wrap back two thirds of way toward eye of hook, tapering the body thicker as you get to center of hook. It is good to leave some of the guard hairs in to make the fly buggier. Next, cut a few strands of deer hair, (natural color gray) and holding ends of hair over the dubbing so the hair extends back to bend of hook, wrap the hair so it is spaced evenly around the body. Tie in tightly. Clip off excess hair towards the eye. Next, wrap three or four strands of peacock herl over the butt sections of the hair and form a small ball behind the bead. Before wrapping the herl, put a dab of fly head cement behind the bead and wrap herl into the cement. This will prevent herl from breaking apart. Once ball of herl is formed, place another drop of fly head cement on it to prevent breaking. Make a series of half hitches or whip finish and fly is ready. This is a great pattern and can be fished all season with success.

Note: Many tiers tie this simply with muskrat fur, and the bead in front but by adding the deer hair and the herl behind the bead, you are making the fly much more productive and representative of a stone fly plus a host of other insects. Not to mention it¼s a more professional tie as well and certainly worth the extra minute or two it takes to do it right.

Note: Another excellent pattern that will provide many hours of productive fishing is the above pattern tied with rusty orange possum instead of muskrat fur and rusty orange deer hair. Both of these patterns may be fished deep as a nymph or in the surface film as an emerger.

If these patterns are not available in your local sport shop, they may be ordered by emailing me or call 518-647-8414.