STD Baetis by Will Sands
Materials:
Hook: Tiemco 100 SP
Thread: Gordon Griffith‘s 14\0 Black
Head: Black Tungsten Bead
Tail: Lemon Wood Duck Flank
Abdomen: Hareline Micro Tubing
Wingcase: Thin Skin w\single stand of flashabou then epoxied
Thorax: Peacock Herl
Legs: Lemon Wood Duck Flank
Will on the STD Baetis:
STD (aka: Sands’ Tungsten Deception)
“This critter began about five seasons ago. It originally started while attempting to create a two toned body for streamer patterns, but they never really came to being. Then I began fumbling around with weaving mayfly nymphs. The weaving was fun and challenging. The overall problem as I switched between different materials was finding something that would create a nice tight body tapered enough to imitate the naturalness of small mayfly nymphs. After a day tying midges with a bunch of Hareline’s Micro Tubing, I began weaving with the stuff.
The micro tubing’s variety of colors and most importantly its stretch to strength is awesome. The first batch lacked the tungsten, epoxy flashback and although they were fishy, they did not appear to be that sexy. With the addition of the tungsten bead and the flashback they took on their final form with benefit. The flashback adds subtle flash and the tungsten bead adds additional weight when nymphing deep, but really adds merit for dry dropper fishing in the early stages of Blue Winged Olive Hatches.
This fly is exceptionally durable due to the materials. It provides a natural profile and two toned segmentation. The choice of a black tungsten bead was to minimize the “bling“ affect. We have found over the years that on many of our tailwaters and in gin clear waters like the Frying Pan that too much flash can spook larger wary fish. Thus the flashback adds subtle flash while the black tungsten adds some weight without too much additional flash. How can you go wrong with peacock herl on any pattern? The Lemon Wood Duck for the tail and legs completes the fly by adding the segmented mottled look found on the appendages of many naturals.”
Will Sands
How to tie the STD Baetis
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