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Introduction
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FLY TYING TUTORIALS
OF SMOKY MOUNTAIN
TROUT FLIES
The Muskrat Nymph
| Gift
Set Top Tailwater Trout Flies |
Gift
Set Top Smoky Mountain Dry Flies |
Gift
Set Top Smoky Mountain Nymphs/Emergers |
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Introduction
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| The Muskrat Nymph was developed many years ago, and it is usually credited to Polly Rosborough. Even though it was not developed in East Tennessee or the Smoky Mountains National Park, it had already become a favorite by the time that I was a young man growing up. I heard of this fly when I was in my late teens. It has held its popularity in the East Tennessee area for all of my life. The Muskrat Nymph is a very easy fly to tie and one will probably see many different versions of it. The materials that are used in it will reflect the things that were available earlier in the last century. |
| Recipe | Hook: Size #12 Wet Nymph Hook Thread: 6/0 or 8/0 Black Tail: Black Spade Hackle fibers or muskrat fur Abdomen: Muskrat dubbing Thorax: Two strands of peacock herl or black ostrich herl or black thread Legs: Black hackle tied in beard style or wrapped 2 times and trimmed on top. |
| Step 1 |
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| Step 1 | Tie in thread at the hook eye and wrap it back to the hook bend. |
| Step 2 |
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| Step 2 | Wind .015 lead wire onto the hook, using 10 to 15 wraps and tie down with thread. Wind back to the hook bend. |
| Step 3 |
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| Step 3 | Tie in black spade hackle fibers about 1/2 the length of the hook shank. Bring thread back to the hook bend. |
| Step 4 |
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| Step 4 | Dub in muskrat fur dubbing starting at the hook bend and wrapping forward to 2/3 the way to the hook eye. Tie down dubbing. |
| Step 5 |
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| Step 5 | Tie in 2 peacock herl strands behind the dubbing tie off point. Wrap the peacock herl forward to the hook eye and tie off. |
| Step 6 |
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| Step 6 | Take a hackle from a black rooster cape and cut a V notch in the outer section. Turn the fly over and tie in the hackle underneath the hook eye: making sure that the remainder spreads out slightly on each side, giving the appearance of legs. |
| Step 7 |
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| Step 7 | Finish head, tie off and cement. |
This concludes our first tutorial of old Smoky Mountain flies. Our next pattern will be the George (Cottontop) Nymph. Looking forward to seeing you for our next tutorial. Hugh and Carolyn |
