Fly Tying Inventory
Mil Spec Mayfly Nymph
Cheech came up with this quick mayfly nymph while looking for a fly that was both detailed and easy to tie, and it suits blue winged olives, PMDs and similar bugs. Flat thread and a brown marker replace the stripped peacock quill he had been using, and the result looks much the same. Use a Sharpie, since Chartpak ink dries slowly and bleeds into the body until it turns one tone. Burnt orange, purple, brown or gray thread all give good variations. Tied here on a size 18 hook.
Ready to tie this?
This pattern needs 7 materials. Sign up free to check which ones you already own.
Materials
TMC 2488 Curved Nymph hook, size 18
18
Whiting Brahma Hen Saddle, mottled gray (wildtype), fibers
Mottled Gray
Brown Sharpie marker, to segment the thread body
Brown
Wapsi Super Fine Dry Fly Dubbing, blue winged olive
Blue Winged Olive
How to Tie the Mil Spec Mayfly Nymph
- 1
Step 1
Start the olive thread behind the eye and wrap back around the curve of the hook, spinning the bobbin as needed so the thread lies flat.
- 2
Step 2
Tie in a small bunch of mottled Brahma hen fibers at the bend for a short tail, then bind them down and trim the butts.
- 3
Step 3
Keep the thread flat and wrap a smooth, slim, tapered body along the shank. Finish with the thread back at the bend.
- 4
Step 4
Let the flat thread hang and color it with the brown marker.
Use a Sharpie rather than a Chartpak marker. Chartpak ink dries slower and can bleed into the body.
- 5
Step 5
Wrap the marked thread forward in evenly spaced open turns so the dark bands form segments over the lighter body. Stop at the front of the abdomen.
- 6
Step 6
Tie in the opal tinsel at the front of the abdomen so it trails back over the body.
- 7
Step 7
Pull a thin pinch of fibers from the Sparkle Emerger Yarn, tie it in at the same spot, and twist it into a thin rope.
- 8
Step 8
Dub the thread very lightly and wrap a short thorax under the yarn.
- 9
Step 9
Pull the yarn forward over the top of the thorax and tie it down behind the eye. Fold the excess back over the thorax and lock it in place with a few wraps.
- 10
Step 10
Bring the tinsel forward over the top of the thorax, tie it off behind the eye, and trim it.
- 11
Step 11
Whip finish and cut the thread.
- 12
Step 12
Trim the yarn short so only a small fuzzy tuft is left at the thorax.
Watch Tying Tutorial
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TdoDiMZvjM
Credit: Cheech / Fly Fish Food