Fly Tying Inventory
Skwala Chow Mein
Hayden Williams' high-density foam dry fly designed for the Yakima River's famous Skwala stonefly hatch. This pattern uses layered foam for exceptional flotation and a realistic stonefly silhouette that sits low in the film. The high-density foam body is durable enough to support a dropper nymph and visible enough to track in choppy spring runoff water. A go-to dry for PNW anglers during February through April.
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Materials
Dry fly or stonefly hook (TMC 200R or equivalent), sizes 8-10
Brown or olive 6/0 (140 denier)
High-density closed-cell foam, dark olive or brown, cut into strips
Natural elk hair or deer hair
Medium brown rubber legs, knotted
Fluorescent orange or pink foam post for visibility
Dark olive or brown dubbing for underbody
How to Tie the Skwala Chow Mein
- 1
Step 1
Mount hook and start thread at the 60% point. Cut a foam strip about 1.5x the hook gap width and tie in at the rear of the shank.
High-density foam floats better than craft foam and creates a more durable fly.
- 2
Step 2
Fold the foam forward to create the first body segment. Tie down, then add a pair of rubber legs on each side.
Knotting the rubber legs before tying them in creates a more realistic joint.
- 3
Step 3
Continue folding the foam forward, creating 2-3 segmented body sections with rubber legs at each junction.
- 4
Step 4
Tie in a clump of elk hair as an underwing, tips extending past the bend.
- 5
Step 5
Add a small piece of fluorescent foam on top as a sighting post for visibility in rough water.
The bright indicator foam makes this fly easy to track during spring runoff conditions.
- 6
Step 6
Fold the foam one final time over the thorax area, tie down behind the eye, trim excess, and whip finish.
- 7
Step 7
Trim the foam head to shape and apply a drop of head cement to the thread wraps.
Watch Tying Tutorial
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34dpviz38E4
Credit: Red's Fly Shop