Callibaetis Nymph
Callibaetis mayflies are the most important hatching insect in Western lakes and ponds, providing year-round feeding opportunities for lake-dwelling trout. Their spotted nymphs are active swimmers — fish the imitation on a slow, intermittent retrieve through weed beds in lakes, or dead-drift it in slow spring creek eddies. The speckled tan and olive coloring matches the natural precisely. Best fished on a floating or intermediate line in stillwaters.
- Type
- nymph (Mayfly)
- Hook sizes
- #12–16
- Target species
- trout
- Difficulty
- intermediate
- Best seasons
- spring, summer, fall
Materials
- hook: Nymph hook #12–16
- thread: Tan or gray 8/0
- tail: Pheasant tail fibers (3), slightly spread
- body: Tan or gray-olive dubbing, slim
- ribbing: Fine gold wire
- wingcase: Pheasant tail or mottled turkey
Tying steps
- Mount a size 12–16 hook; start tan or gray thread at the bend.
- Tie in pheasant tail fibers as 3 tails, spreading them slightly.
- Tie in fine gold wire ribbing.
- Wind a slim, tapered body of tan or gray-olive dubbing to the 2/3 mark.
- Counter-wrap gold wire rib in 5–6 spirals.
- Tie in a pheasant tail wing case over the 2/3 mark.
- Dub a slightly fuller tan thorax ahead of the abdomen.
- Fold the wing case forward; sweep a few soft hen fibers back as legs.
- Whip finish and cement.