Favorite Patterns 3

Dakota Country publisher Bill Mitzel used to fish any nymph... as long as it was the Black Nymph! He's branched out more now, but there was a reason for the BN's priority with Bill: it works! It is a non-descript pattern that gives the impression of a great many life forms in moving or stillwater environs. Sizes 8-18, standard-4X hooks.

This nymph must have gotten its name from the "royal" treatment one receives from fish when employing it in both moving or stillwater situations. Tie it weighted or unweighted; with a beadhead or without; try tying it in black; whatever you do, just use the Prince. You'll feel like a king. This fly is a MUST for any box. Sizes 8-18, standard-3X hooks.

Primarily tied to imitate dragonfly nymphs, the Carey has proven its worth on countless occasaions. Fished in the surface, trolled at mid-depths or dredging the mud interface, this one gets the job done from ice-out to ice-up. Tie it in an array of colors and combinations- even tie a head with fluorescent orange thread for Don Newcomb's favorite version. Sizes 4-12, standard-4X hooks.

No fly box is complete without this fly. This pattern can represent many insects' nymphal form- just adjust the size and length of hook, and experiment with various colors of Hare's Ear dubbing and/or add a beadhead and some flash. Serious fly anglers- in moving or stillwaters- have this fly in various sizes and construction along at all times! Sizes 8-20, standard-3X hooks.

We like this pattern swung in fast current, or worked along weed edges in stillwater. Also, we like adding copper wire as the mid-section to this fly, instead of red floss (Copper Coachman), but the key is we like it! That's why it's here. It is a great minnow pattern in stained or algae-blossomed waters. Sizes 6-12, standard-4X hooks.

A great rainbow smelt imitation for the Missouri River system, the white in this pattern makes for great attraction. Fish it on floating or sink-tip line in the first few miles below the Garrison Dam in North Dakota, and elsewhere. Sizes 4-8, 3X-4X hooks, weighted and unweighted.

An "eggsellent" pattern during spring or fall spawns of rainbows, browns, brookies and cutthroat in the Intermountain regions to our west. For mid-winter angling Spearfish Creek in South Dakota, members of the Black Hills Fly Fishers Club recommend trailing it behind a San Juan Worm or large blood worm pattern in the lead. They affectionately refer to this nymph rig as "Bacon and Eggs." Clever bunch, those BHFFers. Try it in all the various egg colors that retailers offer.

What is it .. I Don't know, What is is supposed to look like...I don't know. Why in the world a Trout would want to eat it ....I Don't Know! Ever since Club Co-Founder Chuck Loftis showed how it worked at one of our favorite Dakota Stillwaters it has become a constant GO -TO fly. Why anyone still askes what it is, after being pulled around by a 25" Rainbow...........I Don't Know!!