My last day of fishing in 2012 was November 21 on the Big Thompson River, and 2012 offered the longest fishing season I can remember as I began in early March and ended just before Thanksgiving. It was certainly a year to remember.

Zoomed in on Beadhead Hares Ear Compartment

As I entered October I noticed that my supply of beadhead hares ear nymphs was low so I actually began my production tying then and continued through the end of the year while continuing to fish concurrently. So far I’ve stocked my fly boxes with 100 beadhead hares ear nymphs, 50 beadhead RS2’s, 50 beadhead pheasant tail nymphs, 25 BWO size 22 soft hackle emergers, 45 bright green caddis pupa, 30 emerald caddis pupa, 25 light yellow caddis pupa, 15 black and olive beadhead midge larva, and 25 duke nymphs (simplifed prince nymphs).

100 Beadhead Hares Ear Nymphs

I’ve now entered the realm of tying flies newly discovered as effective in 2012, and this includes my current work in process twenty inchers. I hope to enter the season with 20 of these so I probably need to tie 10 more. Next up in the nymph genre will be salvation nymphs (20), Arkansas rubber legs (20), and iron sallies (20).

50 Beadhead RS2’s

That should put me in a good position in the nymph category, and I will then move into large attractor dry flies including Letort hoppers and Chernobyl ants. I was disappointed with the Charlie Boy hopper, so I plan to attempt some Pool Toys as recommended by Taylor Edrington.

BWO Soft Hackle Emergers

After I am satisfied with my large attractor dry fly supply, I will take an inventory of my standard dry flies such as comparaduns and caddis dries and restock as necessary. There is a lot of work in front of me, but I truly enjoy tying and especially experimenting with new flies. The advent of YouTube fly tying videos has been a huge benefit to tyers such as myself.