Fly Tying Inventory
Callidrangus Callibaetis
Brandon Mena's simple Callibaetis nymph, a quick tie for water that holds plenty of these mayflies. A tail of pheasant tail fibers, gray squirrel body with a gold rib, UV brown thorax and hen soft hackle make up the fly, with a pinch of the UV Shrimp Pink dubbing Lance Egan is known for right behind the copper bead. Fished on a midge tip line, it can be run deep or shallow, weighted or not, depending on the weight of the fly and how the leader is set up. Tied here on a size 14 hook.
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Materials
Hanak Hooks Model 230 BL nymph hook, size 14
14
Ice Dub, UV Shrimp Pink, for the hot spot behind the bead
UV Shrimp Pink
How to Tie the Callidrangus Callibaetis
- 1
Step 1
Slide the copper bead up to the eye and mount the hook in the vise.
- 2
Step 2
Start the dark tan thread behind the bead and wrap a base back to the bend.
- 3
Step 3
Tie in a small bunch of pheasant tail fibers at the bend with the tips pointing back for the tail. Bind the butts down and trim them.
- 4
Step 4
Tie in a length of gold tinsel at the base of the tail and let it trail back for now.
- 5
Step 5
Dub the thread with the gray squirrel dubbing and wrap the body forward from the tail. Stop well short of the bead to leave room for the thorax, hackle and hot spot.
- 6
Step 6
Wrap the tinsel forward over the body in open spirals. Tie it off at the front of the body and trim the excess.
- 7
Step 7
Dub the thread with UV brown Ice Dub and wrap a short thorax ahead of the body.
- 8
Step 8
Tie in a Greenwell hen feather just in front of the thorax.
- 9
Step 9
Wrap the feather as a soft hackle, tie it off and trim the excess.
- 10
Step 10
Dub a small amount of UV Shrimp Pink Ice Dub onto the thread and wrap it directly behind the bead for the hot spot.
- 11
Step 11
Whip finish behind the bead and trim the thread.
- 12
Step 12
Tease out the dubbing with a comb or brush so the body and hot spot stay shaggy.
Watch Tying Tutorial
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5auO61RfLfU
Credit: Brandon Mena / Fly Fish Food