Have you ever considered designing a new fly? Maybe you have seen many large bass chasing hog suckers in the shallows and you have no streamer that looks anything like a hog sucker. Or maybe you cannot find any dry fly that will fool the trout that are feeding on the heavy mayfly hatch that is on now. Maybe you should consider designing a fly.

Many of the flies I’ve designed came about from situations similar to these. A logical approach is:

* Examine the existing fly patterns in order to see why they are not effective.* Look back at the old masters in order to see how they met these challenges. Anglers such as Donald DuBois, Polly Rosborough, H. G. Tapply and Charlie Fox have all come up with many great flies.* Sort through your fly tying materials to see what you have to work with. Then scan the new material catalogs to get new ideas.* Tie several test patterns. Keep in mind the “appearance” of the fly to the fish is important but that the “action” of underwater flies to the fish is probably more important.* Take your test flies to the stream and fish them under various conditions. Keep score on which flies are most successful.* Go back to your fly tying vise and tie several new test patterns by incorporating the components and tying styles of the most effective flies.* Now go back to the stream and test your flies on the fish.* Finally, go back to your vise and tie your final fly.

This method of designing a fly is very effective and it is a great amount of fun. Plus you have confidence in your final fly.

I developed the Mr. Rapidan Dry Fly pictured above in much the way discussed above. Today, I use it all across the country because it matches 3 of the major hatches in the east and two in the Rockies. Read the history of the Mr. Rapidan Series of flies represents which represents the very essence of this article.

Check out our “Fly Tying Weight Chart” for a comparison of many beads, weights and eyes from a variety of manufacturers.