Fly Tying Inventory
Baetis Max
Baetis Max is a small jig nymph from Cade Moore, developed for picky fish on his local tailwater that see flies every day. He wanted something durable and quick to tie with a little flash and movement. A dark pearl tinsel body gives the shine, and a CDC collar swept back over it mutes that shine while letting some of it show through. A touch of olive brown Ice Dub adds to the collar. It works all year and can be fished in many ways. Tied here on a size 20 hook.
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Materials
Fulling Mill FM5125 Jig Force Short Barbless, size 20 (or Umpqua XC210BL-BN Perdi-Jig Hook)
20
Fulling Mill Tactical Tungsten Drop Bead, silver, 3.0mm (or Insta Jig Tungsten Head, nickel, 7/64" (2.8mm))
Silver · 3.0mm
Perdigones Pearl Body, dark brown PBF-233 (or UNI Mylar Double-Sided Tinsel, peacock/orange, size 16 (1/64"))
Dark Brown
Fulling Mill CDC Feathers 1g, natural grey (or light dun)
Natural Grey
Ice Dub, olive brown (or Hends Spectra Dubbing, olive), dubbed in front of the CDC
Olive Brown
How to Tie the Baetis Max
- 1
Step 1
Slide the silver bead onto the jig hook, seat it behind the eye, and mount the hook in the vise.
- 2
Step 2
Start the olive dun thread behind the bead and wrap a smooth thread base along the shank to the bend. Trim the tag end.
- 3
Step 3
Hold the tinsel along the shank and bind it down to the bend, then bring the thread back to just behind the bead.
- 4
Step 4
Wrap the tinsel forward up the shank to form the body. Tie it off behind the bead and trim the excess.
- 5
Step 5
Form a thread dubbing loop just behind the bead.
- 6
Step 6
Gather the CDC fibers in a clip and set them into the loop.
- 7
Step 7
Spin the loop so the thread locks the fibers into a fine CDC rope.
- 8
Step 8
Wrap the rope around the shank at the front of the body, stroking the fibers back as you go. Tie it off and trim the excess.
The CDC should veil the tinsel rather than hide it, so a little of the shine still comes through.
- 9
Step 9
Dub a small amount of olive brown Ice Dub onto the thread and wrap it between the CDC and the bead.
- 10
Step 10
Whip finish behind the bead, trim the thread, and stroke the CDC back over the body one last time.
Watch Tying Tutorial
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhtFS__VpSo
Credit: Cade Moore / Fly Fish Food