Bodkin / Patterns

Anatomical Callibaetis

Nymph · Trout · Intermediate · 1 version

Reference Recipe

  • Hook 1XL nymph hook, 12-16
  • Thread Tan 8/0 (70 denier)

Materials

  • Tail Wood duck / mallard flank fibers (three, short and splayed)
  • Abdomen Gray-tan dubbing (slim, tapered)
  • Rib Fine copper wire (8-10 close turns)
  • Wingcase Mottled turkey (one slip)
  • Legs Brown partridge (a few fibers per side)
  • Thorax Gray-tan dubbing (front third)

How to tie it

  1. Mount a 1XL nymph hook and start tan thread.
  2. Tie in three wood-duck flank fibers as a short, splayed tail.
  3. Tie in copper wire, then dub a slim, tapered gray-tan abdomen to the 60% mark; callibaetis nymphs are slender.
  4. Rib the wire forward in 8-10 close turns for fine segmentation and tie off.
  5. Tie in a mottled turkey slip for the wingcase and fold it back out of the way.
  6. Dub a distinct thorax, then tie a few partridge fibers sweeping to each side as legs.
  7. Pull the wingcase over the thorax, bind it down, build a head and whip finish.

Tying videos

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