This little fur ball is my current favorite panfish nymph. It is simple to tie and uses one material - dark brown mink tail fur. And the pond fish love it. I used it last night to catch over a dozen fish in the hour before dark (yes Cameron, I do go fishing sometimes!). I fish the fly with a slow retrieve and the takes are gentle. I caught three fish when I lifted the line to make a backcast.

- Start with a lead weighted hook (the red thread indicates a weighted fly in my box).
- Clip a small pinch of fur and remove and align the guard hairs. Use the guard hairs to tie a tail.
- Spin some of the underfur onto the tying thread and dub the body of the fly.
- Twist some more underfur into a dubbing loop and form the leg portion of the fly.
- Tie off and finish the head.
- Pick out the fur in the thorax part of the fly.

Tom

The vise is a Thompson Model A that I've used for years. I am starting to get a wish for a rotary vise, but the Thompson still works fine. I have an 11"x11" piece of laboratory bench top that I use as a pedestal base - the vise doesn't move no matter what I am tying.

The bobbin is an S&M (S&M Bobbins). I bought a couple from Hook & Hackle 20+ years ago because they were inexpensive. I've since acquired "better" bobbins. But I find the S&M bobbins handle better and by squeezing the sides I have instant control of the thread tension. I keep using them as my main tool. I've since learned that A.K. Best recommends these little bobbins for pretty much the same reasons I keep using mine.

Tom

[edit: did I mention that bluegills love 'em? I caught this pretty little fellow this afternoon while I was out with my son. That's a mink tail sticking out of his mouth. Tom]

Nice fly! Before I scroll down I though this would be a good fly for bluegill ... Then the answer comes out just 2 seconds behind ... nice one!