Body Stillwater Solutions Light Olive and Callibaetis Ostrich Herl twisted together
Wingcase Medium Opal Mirage Mylar
Thorax Peocock Herl
Legs Stillwater Solutions Mottled Turkey Flats, tan or olive
How to tie it
Start the thread on a straight-shank 2XL nymph hook and run a base down the shank.
Tail: take three fibers of the Stillwater Solutions Mottled Turkey Flats in Callibaetis, about a shank length or a touch longer, and tie them in right above the hook point.
Trim the tail butts off at about the length of the body so the underbody stays lump-free, and clean up the wraps.
Rib: tie in a length of extra-small silver wire.
Shellback: cut a section of the Stillwater Solutions Mottled Turkey Quill about half a hook gap wide from a quill you have already treated with UV acrylic, and tie it in over the rib; clean up the butts.
Body: tie in one Callibaetis-dyed and one light olive Stillwater Solutions ostrich herl, trim the butts short, twist the two fibers together and wrap them forward keeping the body streamlined and thin. The fluff simulates the gills on the Callibaetis nymph.
Tie off the ostrich herl and trim, then pull the turkey quill forward so it sits right on top of the body and take a couple of wraps — do not cut the quill off yet.
Wiggle the silver wire rib forward through the ostrich herl rather than wrapping straight over it, so it traps as few fibers as possible; on this mayfly you want all the movement you can get. Tie the rib off.
Tie the Medium Opal Mirage Mylar in directly across the top of the shank as a flashback, and fold the turkey quill back out of the way.
Thorax: clip the brittle tips off two strands of peacock herl, tie them in, and wrap a thorax forward; tie off.
Pull the turkey quill over the thorax, then the Mirage Mylar over the top of that, fold the Mylar back to lock it in and trim; a couple more wraps secure the turkey, then pull the turkey back and it comes away without trimming.
Legs: tie the same Mottled Turkey Flats in on each side, one loose wrap first and then tighten to flare them out; whip finish a clean head, treat the wing case and head with UV acrylic and cure, then run a fingernail along the shellback to put a curve in the tail.