Bird's Nest

Bird's Nest 

This pattern originated in the fifties and can be used as a nymph or fished as a wet fly.  Its shape seems to suggest an emerger, or perhaps a spent caddis or even a diving caddis.  The colors listed are the standard pattern but other colors could be substituted to represent some particular species.

 

  • Hook:              size 12 2X long standard nymph hook
  • Thread:           tan (use a thread that you will be able to split for a dubbing loop)
  • Ribbing:          copper wire 
  • Tail:                 ten or so fibers from a lemon wood duck flank or mallard dyed lemon
  • Body:              gray Australian possum or similar spikey dubbing
  • Wing:              lemon flank feather from a wood duck or mallard dyed lemon 
  • Head:             same as body but tied using a dubbing loop

 

For a video demonstrating how to tie this pattern go to:

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xvq3UUDCO7k