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: