One that has worked for me is a size 16-18, short to standard shank hook, thread is black, tail is a few soft, grizzly hen hackle fibers, body is peacock hurl and hackle is wide, soft grizzly hen hackle (I got it from my wife's barred-rock hens) The hackle is 1 1/2 to 2 times hook gap similar to a "spider" sometimes used on steel head. I have used it in rivers and still water with success. It's similar to the old grey-hackle peacock but with a softer and wider, more undulating hackle.

If you fish a lot, you can "tweek" any fly design....and that is what I often do thinking about "what is it that "Triggers" a strike from the fly?
By focusing on "tweeking" you can come up with some "new and improved" patterns. Not always, and it is back to the lab for a new creation, but for example....the one strand of bright crystal flash hanging off the back of a fly can be a dynomite "trigger" as it can represent the air bubble, diamond like glisten that the nymph uses to propel themselves to the surface to hatch out. Knowing the bugs is the key, and knowing what your materials can do for the fly...not just throwing something on the hook.

You're the only guy I know backcast, who can tie, and replicate a Royal Wulff, and no one else can identify it as a Royal Wulff..all of your ties are unique.

Backcast,
Oh, but that Royal Wulff can work wonders during a big, heavy hatch...your's can get picked out over the multitudes. Listen to me, and you wouldn't have to head to the bar everytime a big hatch occurs. And it was an education for the guys on TroutNut to learn of my Epeorus finding, and the soft hackle that worked wonders. The fly shop here just lumped them in as PMD's. Baetis I have down to the.. between the lines science. TroutNut wants me to take photos of my Fall Baetis discovery, and how I match it. And attractors I do fish a lot. Just got to know when to hold'um, and when to fold'um...stick with it. You'll get there some day.

backcast,
The guy that is UPDATING their insect files has asked me to contribute to my find. Move up to the front row, and quit screwing around in the back of the room...you might learn something. And you are right, many of these guys are way over my head when it comes to bug identifications and related topics regarding aqautic insects. But many of them may not fish a lot, which is often the case. Or, they may not be anyone, or few, that flyfish in my area. There aren't many that can professionally tie it all together...bug science, and how it relates to fly fishing. And you were the missing link. I recognized that from your political postings.

Man, backcast! Did I cause you more emotional distress again? It's a function of liberalism you know. Liberals can never connect the dots, or do not want to connect the dots fearing reality. I pay attention to the bugs, AS THEY RELATE to FLY FISHING! I am still calling BWO's latin names that haven't existed for years because of a book I have read, and followed, and now the bug has been re-classified. I could care less. They did ask me to take photos, and provide patterns for the Fall Baetis that has been re-classified to what I don't know, and don't care. I have never seined a bug out of the river in my life...I learn what is needed through other methods. I would never take the time to sein. Did it a few times for a Sage Rod class years ago, but never myself personally. But you keep diggin, and satisfying yourself...just keep those Valiums handy. You're a hoot.

and, btw my royal coachman nymph pattern is my favorite. beadhead, without a hackle collar, and red wire in between the peacock herl body. normal golden pheasant tail. killer pattern for anything with gills

sorry bout the double post.

hockeyplayer, Sayfu is my younger, mentally challenged half-brother. He's in the throes of a deep-seated sibling rivalry complex. I taught him to tie flies and fly fish years ago, and he's been trying to upstage me ever since... you know, little brother, always tagging along, wants to be just like me someday. I tried to teach him some basic entomology, but he's not interested - thinks he can get by cheating off me and looking at pictures of bugs in outdated books, but the learning curve is too steep for him. And you're laughing your azz off? Imagine how I feel. I'm LMMFAO everytime he posts.

backcast,
Quit laughin and get to tyin those size #18 Royal Wulffs that fish so well during a heavy Baetis hatch, or PMD hatch, or any smaller emerging bug that hatches in great numbers. If you can't tie them that small please consider my latest DVD on the subject. Just here to help.

The DVD is in my minds eye..pullin your leg. I do tie a Royal in size #16 not #18, and seldom tie a fly below #18. When I want smaller I use the #18 caddis pupa hook in the 1x, or 2x shorter shank, and simple ties, never much on the hook. I go for the bigger gape, and hooking ability. I shorten the body up a little for the Fall BWO's that are a size 22-#24 and it works. Don't even fish that Royal much either, but probably should fish it more. Just have too many flies, and days are too short to use them all.

You can be so patronizing sayfu. Its a learning process. If somebody wants to make a fly look like licorice, let them. Your experience may tell you what will and wont work, but others fish different things. I like my rabbit fur and marabou flies, mostly because I like catching bigger fish lol. I'd rather catch 1 15 inch fish than 5 10 inch fish. All you can do is try to persuade and steer in the right direction. Some will not follow, others will. I appreciate your knowledge of the sport because you've seen much more days on the water than I have, and may ever.

See, I asked that, and big silence. He wouldn't answer that one, but given the 4 foot, solid balsa wood wings that he fiberglassed over on his fly, I think it was a Taradoctal (sp?) type of dragonfly.

Mtbasshunter,
Drive for show, putt for dough!...and remember, YOU go fishing, ....I go catching!

So to what degree do changes have to be made before it's an "original."??
Ever see a dryfly with a bead at the front? I never have. It's my original, and everyone of my dry flies has a bead at the front. And there are some huge advantages for doing so.