In this week’s “How to Tie” video feature, Cheech with Fly Fish Food ties a fantastic mayfly for late fall through winter, the Allegedly Ostrich Baetis.
Learn About This Fly:
Difficulty: Easy
If you are new to entomology and fly tying, Baetis are apart of the mayfly family and a significant food source for most trout. Whether intentional or not, learning insect species and their life cycles are a large part of becoming a capable angler. This knowledge allows you to begin to understand and anticipate the feeding habits of trout and other fish species, leading to more productivity on the water. Fall and winter offer a chance to learn about smaller insects, such as baetis, and the Allegedly Ostrich Baetis is the perfect pattern to prepare for slower season bite.
Beginners and veterans alike will be able to confidently and effectively tie this fly. Selecting a thin diameter thread is key for not over wrapping the body and keeping novice tyers from simple mistakes. With the smaller hook size it is important to initially take your time and make sure proportions are accurate, which will allow for quick batches after some practice. The Allegedly Ostrich Baetis is a pattern that won’t create many headaches on the vise but still requires strong attention to detail.
Pairing this fly in a double nymph rig will be an effective winter setup. As a dropper off an anchor pattern, expect many takes to be on this one as trout turn to consume the easier food item. Depending on the size of mayflies in your water, don’t be afraid to adjust color and size to match the hatch. Enjoy the process of switching over to small patterns and technical tying this winter season, starting it all with the Allegedly Ostrich Baetis.
Ingredients:
- Hook : Fulling Mill 5125 Jig Force Short Barbless Hook – 22
- Hook (Alternate): Umpqua XC210BL-BN Perdi-Jig Hook – 20
- Thread: SemperFli Nano Silk Ultra Fine 30D 18/0 – Olive
- Thread (Alternate): SemperFli Nano Silk Ultra Fine 30D 18/0 – Brown
- Bead: Hanak Round+ Slotted Tungsten Beads – 2.5mm – Black Nickel
- Bead (Alternate): Fulling Mill Slotted Tungsten Beads – Black – 2.4mm
- Tail: Mallard Barred Flank Large Select – Wood Duck
- Tail (Alternate): Lemon Barred Wood Duck
- Body: Fulling Mill Flex-Floss – BWO
- Body (Alternate): Fulling Mill Flex-Floss – Golden Olive
- Hackle: Ostrich Herl – Light Gray
- Hackle (Alternate): Nature’s Spirit Ostrich Herl Plume – Muskrat Gray
- Wingcase: Uni POSCA Paint Marker – Black
- Resin: Solarez UV Cure Resin – Thin Hard 1/2 oz
Now you know how to tie the Allegedly Ostrich Baetis!
Video and ingredients courtesy of Fly Fish Food.
