Fly Tying Inventory
Norm Wood Special
A legendary golden stonefly dry fly pattern originating from Oregon's Deschutes River. Named after Norm Wood, this fly features a distinctive tangerine/orange-dyed calf tail wing, palmered brown hackle, and golden dubbing. The calf tail wing allows the fly to ride flush in the film like a natural adult stonefly.
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Materials
2XL dry fly hook (Daiichi 1270 or TMC 200R), size 6-10
Orange 6/0 (Danville)
Fine gold or copper wire
STS Trilobal dubbing, golden stone color
Brown dry fly saddle hackle, palmered back from front of body, 6-8 wraps
Calf tail, tangerine/orange dyed (Norm Wood special color), extending past bend
Same golden stone dubbing as body, tied thickly
Brown dry fly hackle, wound through thorax
Brown round rubber legs, tied at sides
How to Tie the Norm Wood Special
- 1
Step 1
Secure the hook and start orange thread at the eye. Wrap back to the hook barb.
- 2
Step 2
Optionally tie in fine gold or copper wire at the barb for a rib.
- 3
Step 3
Dub a slightly thick body with golden stone dubbing, stopping about halfway up the shank.
- 4
Step 4
Tie in a brown saddle hackle at the front of the body. Palmer it backward toward the tail with 6-8 wraps.
Palmering the hackle rearward (back toward the tail) is a distinctive feature of this pattern.
- 5
Step 5
If using wire rib, counter-wrap it forward over the hackle to lock it in place. Tie off.
- 6
Step 6
Prepare a bunch of tangerine-dyed calf tail. Stack it for even tips and tie it in as the wing, extending well past the bend of the hook.
- 7
Step 7
Dub the thorax thickly in front of the wing with golden stone dubbing.
- 8
Step 8
Optionally tie in a second brown hackle and wrap it through the thorax for added buoyancy.
- 9
Step 9
Form a neat head, whip finish, and trim the thread.
The calf tail holds the fly 'in the film' rather than riding high—this flush-floating presentation is key to the pattern's effectiveness.
Watch Tying Tutorial
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cK5WMLFtLY
Credit: Norm Wood (Deschutes River, Oregon)