Bug Lite Callibaetis
by Elaine Cook
This mayfly emerger suspends in the surface film with most of it hanging below the surface, and the wing protruding above. Be sure to apply floatant on the thorax, wing case and wing. You will want to fish this fly in still water, because turbulence will cause it to sink. False cast between casts to dry it out and encourage it to float.
| Hook: | 200 R size 12-19 |
| Thread: | Olive 6/0 for larger flies, 8/0 for smaller flies |
| Tail: | Golden pheasant tippet dyed olive (or use permanent marker pen) |
| Rib: | Fine copper wire |
| Body: | Olive rabbit |
| Wing Case: | Deer hair with medium thick shaft |
| Thorax: | Olive rabbit |
| Wing: | Same as wing case |
Note: This is a simple fly to tie.
1. Crimp barb.
2. Attach thread mid-shank.
3. Tie in 3 strands of tail fibers, with tips to rear, on top of shank, cut butt ends.
4. Tie in wire at rear of shank.
5. Dub a slender body to mid-shank.
6. Wrap rib forward in 4-5 wraps.
7. Make 2 wraps of wire on top of themselves, then twist to break.
8. Select clump of deer hair, clean out underfur. Prepared clump should be a little larger than body width.
9. Lay on shank, tips forward, butts to rear.
10. Tie in place mid-shank with several wraps.
11. Cut tip ends off in front of tie-in spot, tie down.
12. Return thread to mid-shank.
13. Dub thorax just barely covering tied down cut deer hair up to one eye length behind eye.
14. Pull wing case forward over thorax, keep bundle well together and on top of thorax, tie in place with several thread wraps.
15. Keeping bundle together, make 2 wraps of thread around base of wing but not around hook.
16. Whip finish behind wing, cut thread.
17. Cut wing, forming blunt ends that stick up (see diagram for proportions).