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RETURN to Putah Creek Trout -> Putah Creek Fly Fishing Forum -> Fly Tying and Fly discussions -> Marabou nymphs
Post Info TOPIC: Marabou nymphs
crhoden


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Marabou nymphs
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I think the two most important materials in a fly tiers arsenals are pea**** herl and marabou, in that order. They have so much appeal, and at least a dozen well known flies use them, if not a hundred.
I found a recipe years ago in a book I own named Trout Flies of The West. In it there was a tying style from a Colorado shop using marabou for small mayfly nymphs. I adapted it to my tastes, and it does well. The great thing is its not a specific pattern; the basics apply to whatever you tie. And its quick..that important to me. Ed Engle put forth that small flies fish best when tied simply...and I agree. You can only add so much to a small fly, and it much easier to crank out a dozen Yong Specials than its is to make 2 stonefly nymphs. Fishing nymphs right means losing flies, and time is a premium smile

Here is the recipe I use...change it as desired. I've added tails and epoxy to make Callibatis imitations, different wingcases...its just a platform to work with really:

Hook: 16-24, Tiemco 200R or 2488 or hook of choice
Thread: 8/0 Uni to match body
Tail: Mallard or woodduck feather
Rib: Crystal Flash, color of choice
Abdomen: 2-4 strand marabou, tied in by tips and wrapped forward, color of choice
Wingcase: Mallard or wooduck feather
Thorax: Marabou strands from body
Legs: Mallard or wooduck feather fibers, tied along wingcase (think like a PT nymph)

This is nice general imitation, and can change color and material to match whatever is present. I've used beadheads, tails, different ribbing, different colors of marabou for head and body...it all does well. In small sizes (20-24) this a great Baetis imitation. In fact, this fly caught my best brown in the Little T, a little under 8lbs, in the middle of August.
You might want to try brown for a PMD imitation; this looks killer with an orange rib biggrin

To whoever made this design concept up, you are awesome and thank you.

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Flying Dutchman


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crhoden, thanks for sharing.  The past season plus, I have enjoyed incorporating CDC bodies into some of my patterns.  Quick and easy tie--no worries to lose! 


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

http://www.fishingwithflies.com/Bruce%27sCrippledCDC&Elk.html


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There's no greater fan of fly fishing than the worm...
CJ


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Nice tie.  Shane Stalcup and others get a similar effect with Ostrich plume.  His gilled nymph series are worth checking out.  A good marabou tie is Kauffmann's damsel nymph, also worth checking out.

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crhoden


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Thanks CJ...I actually have the Stalcup book, and tying Nymphs by Kauffmann. Stalcup's patterns are staples in my boxes. His Baetis and Biot nymphs work well for me when my standard patterns fail... they are fishy stuff for sure. Im just getting into stride tying his patterns at good voulme and now Medallion sheeting is being discontinued....Ill have to innovate I guess. But its well worth it :)

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CJ


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No more medallion sheeting??? WTF?  That sucks, oh well.  Not enough people using it I guess.  Time to order as much as I can, if anybody still has it.

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crhoden


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yup. saw on Feather Craft it is becoming history. I think it will be a bit before its gone completely, but the standard colors like medium dun and tan will sell out quickly. I hope I can find a suitable replacement

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Nohackle


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I have been tying and using marabou nymphs for many years.  The only commercially sold marabou nymphs I've ever seen have been from a Dan Bailey's catalog.  Unfortunately, IMHO, Dan Bailey's flies have always been of poor quality so I wouldn't recommend their marabou nymph.  One suggestion I would make in tying the fly is to put some flexament on the hook shank before tying on the marabou.  Marabou is quite fragile so anything you can do to keep the marabou strands from breaking apart will add to the durability of the fly.

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Flounder


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Sounds like an interesting tie. Does anyone have any pictures?

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crhoden


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no unfortuantely I don't...I will try to take a few photos tonight and see how it comes out. I dont have a high quality camera (old school Olympus digital and a camera phone are my photos for now).
But if I can't get a photo, I'll try and find the original series online. They are tied in almost the same fashion

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