Vinyl Rib Olive Wet Fly

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This pattern is designed for picky trout during PMD hatches. It utilizes a synthetic quill body to achieve a perfectly smooth, segmented profile that accurately imitates the naturals. The thorax features a subtle, built-up band of olive dubbing over the base yellow thread, creating the requested pinstripe effect while maintaining the necessary buoyancy for a delicate dry fly. The tiny, upright CDC wings are perfectly positioned for visibility and realistic silhouette.

Hook

TMC 100 (or equivalent standard dry fly hook), Size 22

Thread

17/0 or 18/0 Sheer Thread, Pale Yellow

Tail

Micro-Fibbets, Pale Dun (split)

Body

Thin Skin (or Scud Back), Amber/Yellow, cut into a very narrow strip

Ribbing

Small Ultra Wire, Amber

Thorax

Fine and Dry Dubbing, PMD Olive, with a prominent band of the Pale Yellow tying thread showing through/underneath

Wings

Natural Grey CDC (2 small plumes, tied split/upright)

Preparation

Crimp the hook barb and start the Pale Yellow thread at the 75% mark on the shank. Cover the shank to the bend and return to the 75% mark to create the wing base.

Tail

Tie in a small bundle of Micro-Fibbets. Split them into a wide V-shape (slightly more than 90 degrees) using a figure-eight wrap. Ensure the tail length is equal to the hook shank.

Body

Secure the Amber Thin Skin and the Amber Wire at the base of the tail. Taper the thread slightly forward to the 75% mark.

Abdomen

Palmer the Thin Skin forward, covering the thread taper completely. Secure it. Counter-wrap the wire rib over the Thin Skin for segmentation and durability. Secure and trim materials.

Thorax (The Pinstripe)

At this point, the thread base should be Pale Yellow. Lightly dub a sparse amount of PMD Olive dubbing onto the thread. Build up a small, tight ball of dubbing, but stop it short of the eye, leaving a distinct band of the Pale Yellow thread visible between the dubbed thorax and the hook eye. This creates the defined "pinstripe" look.

Wings

Select two small CDC plumes. Stack them and tie them in using a figure-eight wrap to create a split, upright post (comparable to a Para-Post but made entirely of CDC).

Finalize

Whip finish and apply a tiny drop of head cement to the thread head. The fly should sit flush on the water with the tail acting as a trigger.

Details

Imitates

Mayfly

Targets

Trout

Hook size

12-16

Colors

Olive, Clear, Grey, Amber