By Matt at Savage Flies:
“Based on a terrestrial pattern from the Federation of Fly Fishers “Pattern Encyclopedia,” this parachute hopper is actually a fairly simple tie even though it does use quite a few materials.”
Materials list:
Hook: #6-12 long shank
Thread: Brown, or color to match the body
Body: Synthetic dubbing
Underwing: Deer hair over flash
Overwing: Mottled turkey slip
Legs: Knotted pheasant tail fibers
Post: Synthetic, or Para Post equivalent
Hackle: Grizzly dry fly
While reading through Jake Villwock’s new book Smallmouth Bass Flies Top to Bottom, I came across Ol’ Mr. Wiggley. This fly was designed by Charlie Piette, a guide and shop manager at Tight Lines Fly Fishing Company in DePere, Wisconsin. I posted a video about it many years ago and you can find that below which has Charlie showing how to tie Ol’ Mr. Wiggley.
Jake said in his book that he always has a fly box full of these in various colors, because they work so well for smallmouth bass, especially when fishing is slow. The one above in the photo Jake Villwock tied and it is in dragonfly damsel colors. In his book, Jake also shows that he ties a variation of Ol’ Mr. Wiggley that adds a little to the pattern.
I have also seen other fly tyers posting about Ol’ Mr. Wiggley being a productive fly for them. I can also see this being an effective fly for trout. So I would say if you are wanting to try a simple fly for top water especially for smallmouth or for trout, give this one a try.
Materials list:
Hook: Daichii 2461 size 4
Body: 2mm foam
Underbody: Ice Dub
Tail: Sili Legs (any rubber or silicon legs)
Side Legs: Sili Legs (any rubber or silicon legs)
From Josh Price:
“This is a video of how I tie a 17-year Brood X cicada fly. This year, 2021, they are set to emerge where I live. If you have ever witnessed this emergence, then you know it is quite a phenomenon. If you haven’t, you are in for a buggy treat–the number of these cicadas is mind boggling. Every species of fish around gorges on these things once they start to fall in the water.”
Materials List:
Mustad CK52S popper hook, Size 4
Ultra Thread 210, fire orange
2 mm foam, black and orange
Small black foam spider body
Web Wing, white or yellow
Push pins
Black and orange sharpie
Superglue
UV Resin
Andrew Grillos shows us how to tie his most popular fly pattern The Hippie Stomper.
I interviewed Andrew here on FrankenFly awhile back, so be sure to check that out if you haven’t already.
Materials list:
Hook: TMC 3761 size 8-18
Thread: Ultra Thread 70 Denier black
Tail: Moose Body Hair
Overbody: 2 layers of 1mm foam
Underbody: Holographic Flashabou
Wing: White McFlylon
Legs: Barred Round Rubber fine
Hackle: Grizzly
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