By midsummer, most of the best insect hatches are gone – especially in the East and Midwest – but dry fly anglers can still look forward to tricos. These tiny mayflies can perform excellent actions, but it is difficult to spot such tiny flies on the surface, especially in low light conditions.
In this week’s awesome how-to video, Tim Flagler from Tightline productions shows you how to tie a simple, small faux trico that floats well and is visible on the water. The keys are the splayed tails and the wing made of New Zealand impact indicator yarn. As usual, Tim shows some binding tricks that will help you level up. The way he spreads the ends apart with a short piece of thread is awesome.
NZ Trico
Hook: Your favorite dry fly hook (here a Fulling Mill 5050), sizes 20-24.
Thread: Black Veevus, 16/0.
tails: 3 white or light gray mayfly tails or microfibbets.
Body: binding thread.
Wing: White New Zealand strike indicator wool.
Thorax: Black superfine dubbing.
Head: binding thread.
Tool: Plunger style hackle pliers, tool with impact finish.