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The Best Anglers Never Stop Learning

The Best Anglers Never Stop Learning

Nymph

Icy Hot Jig

Insect Species Icon Midges, Blue Wing Olive, Callibaetis
Difficulty Icon Easy - 1-3 Min
Water Category Icon Coldwater

Tying Video

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Tying Recipe
  • Hook: Standard jig hook size #16
  • Bead: Slotted tungsten bead 7/64″ gold
  • Thread: UTC 70 denier fluorescent orange
  • Weight: Lead free .020 round wire
  • Tail: Strung rooster saddle white
  • Body: Ice dub blue steelie
  • Rib: Sulky sliver metallic pearl
  • Thorax: Ice dub orange
  • Collar: Thread collar coated with clear UV resin
  • Hook: Jig hooks are preferred, but this fly will work with a standard hook as well. Consider using a down-eye hook if tying on a standard hook.
  • Bead: Slotted tungsten beads are needed for jig flies. If tying on a standard hook, standard beads will work.
  • Thread: Any thin thread will work. Go as thin as you like, but try not to go above 70 denier or 8/0.
  • Weight: If you find that you are struggling with proportions, skip this step.
  • Tail: Hungarian partridge can make a great tail with some mottling on it.
  • Body: Any bright and flashy blue dubbing will work.
  • Rib: Try some UTC mirage opal tinsel.
  • Thorax: Any bright flashy orange dubbing will work.
  • Collar: Thread collar.

With a specific colorway needed for this nymph, there aren’t many different color patterns that can achieve the same effect. That being said if you have a different colorway in mind that will work for your local waters, by all means, tie it up. A nice addition for some extra bugginess might be to add a few turns of some CDC on the collar, just to give it a bit more movement in the water.

This is a great lead fly in the winter time for some serious flash and attractiveness. For some reason fish tend to like the color blue in the winter, and this fly has a lot of it. The orange collar also has some egg qualities to it as well, making this fly a looker for the trout.

Fish this fly in the winter time as the point fly or lead fly on a euro or indicator nymph rig in the winter time. Trail a more natural midge off the back of it for maximum effectiveness. This is because as this lead fly tumble down the river, it will catch the attention of the trout, and as the fish comes to investigate, it will eat this fly, or take the natural so the expended energy wont be completely wasted.

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

Callibaetis

Regional Hatch Chart Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Region: West
Callibaetis
Sizes: #12 - #18
Region: Northwest
Callibaetis
Sizes: #12 - #18
Region: East
Callibaetis
Sizes: #12 - #18
Region: Midwest
Callibaetis
Sizes: #12 - #18

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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