The Best Anglers Never Stop Learning

The Best Anglers Never Stop Learning

Nymph

Shot Glass Baetis

Insect Species Icon Midges, Blue Wing Olive
Difficulty Icon Medium - 3-5 Min
Water Category Icon Coldwater

Tying Video

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Tying Recipe
  • Hook: Super Point, Round, Straight Eye, 2X Heavy, 3X Wide, 2X Short, Curved Shank
  • Bead: Glass Bead, Red, Sized to Hook
  • Thread: UTC 70 Denier, White
  • Tail: India Hen Back, Natural
  • Rib: Super Hair, Black
  • Casing: Medium Mirage Tinsel, Opal
  • Legs: Flourofibre, White
  • Glue: Thick Loon UV Fly Finish

There happen to be a few substitution options for this bug, and you could most likely find a few more after a few shots! Be mindful not to disrupt the translucent look of this fly with substitutions.

Rib: Black Ultra Wire in X-Small will look similar to the Super Hair that is originally called for.

Tail: Most general tail materials like Pheasant Tail, Hen Saddle, or Coq de Leon will get the job done.

Casing: Regular old Pearl Flashabou will do the trick for the casing as well.

Variation when it comes to the Shot Glass Baetis tends to be pretty limited. Sticking to color changes is the most solid way to mix it up.

Color: Red, Olive, White, and Brown are all good choices. Just match it to your local bugs, or whatever your heart desires.

The Shot Glass Baetis is a great collaboration of attractor qualities, and realistic qualities. Shea Gunkel, the man behind the magic of this pattern, incorporated a translucent quality on this fly that really knocks it out of the park when paired with the color combinations and flash. This bug has proven itself time, and time again in luring picky fish to your fly. Not to mention, it’s just about the only fly that basically comes with it’s own drinking game at the bench or on the water!

This fly is best fished as the second or 3rd fly in a nymph rig succession. The flash and color in such a small, translucent package can provoke a difficult fish to move on your bug if you get it down into the zone the fish are feeding in. Weight is always a good addition to your rig when fishing this fly because it barely has any on its own weight.

Blue Wing Olive

Regional Hatch Chart Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Region: West
Blue Wing Olive
Sizes: #16 - #24
Region: Northwest
Blue Wing Olive
Sizes: #16 - #24
Region: East
Blue Wing Olive
Sizes: #16 - #24
Region: Southeast
Blue Wing Olive
Sizes: #16 - #24
Region: Midwest
Blue Wing Olive
Sizes: #16 - #24

Midges

Regional Hatch Chart Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Region: West, Northwest, East, Southeast, Midwest
Midges
Sizes: #14 - #26

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