Many anglers are interested in knowing what guides use on a particular river or stream.  In this edition of the Guide Flies column, I present six flies from guide and fly shop owner Kory Kober.  Kory has taken the time to present some patterns that should work very well in south-central Montana this spring before runoff really starts on the region’s rivers.  Below are a selection of big nymphs, streamers and dry flies to capture the attention of the most discerning trout.

 

Otter Sculpin

 

Hook: Dai-Riki 710 #6

Thread: 6/0 Black

Eyes: red lead barbells

Tail: brown-dyed-grizzly chickaboo 

Rib: small red copper wire

Abdomen: gold Wapsi Life Cycle dubbing

Collar: Coachman brown-dyed-grizzly Hackle

Legs: zebra Legs

Head: dark brown, teased back

 

Notes:  The red barbell eyes and mottled grizzly-brown chickaboo are this pattern’s two primary features.

 

 

 

 

Baby Brown Deceiver

 

Hook: Dai-Riki 810 (short shank streamer) #6

Thread: 6/0 brown

Tail: 4 matched brown-dyed-grizzly hackle tips

Tail Flash: orange Krystal Flash

Belly: yellow marabou

Abdomen: gold tinsel

Throat: red marabou

Cheek: brown-dyed-grizzly hackle tips

Wing/back: grizzly chickaboo

Eyes: holographic eyes

Head: epoxy over eyes

 

 

 

 

Spring Creek Baetis

 

Hook: Dai-Riki 300 #16-20

Tail: olive Microfibbets, splayed

Body: olive saddle quill, stripped

Body coating: fly tying lacquer (provides a shiny and transparent look)

Thorax: light olive Superfine dubbing

Legs: 8/0 olive thread coated with Mucilin, three per side

Wing: grey filoplume, trimmed to shape

 

Notes: Pay special attention to the three legs on each side.  The Mucilin coating provides a very stiff and tacky appearance to the legs and creates a realistic footprint on the water.  Kory says that this part of the pattern takes some time to learn and suggested using a few loose whip finishes and trimming the legs to length to create the proper footprint.

 

 

 

 

 

Solo Midge

 

Hook: Dai-Riki 125 #22

Body: 8/0 black Uni-Thread

Rib: one strand olive Midge Krystal Flash

Wing: CDC oiler puff, trimmed

Legs: splayed 8/0 thread

 

The oiler puff creates the appearance of a hovering midge on the water surface.

 

 

 

 

Beady-Eyed Pupa

 

Hook: Dai-Riki 135 #14-18

Thread: 8/0 black

Belly: pearl mylartinsel

Rib: small copper wire

Back: dark brown micro chenille

Wing stub: Crazy Legs

Antennae: pearl Krystal Flash

Thorax/legs: brown possum dubbing, teased out

Bead: 5/32 copper

Eyes: black lacquered

 

 

 

 

Otter Stonefly Nymph

 

Hook: Dai-Riki 270 #6-8

Thread: 6/0 brown

Rear Legs: stripped brown quills

Weight: lead strips, parallel to hook shank

Underbody: dark brown dubbing

Body: coffee brown V-Rib

Legs: pheasant tail fibers, lacquered and creased

Wing Case: electrical tape, cut and shaped to fit

Antennae: stripped brown quills

Eyes: brown mono

 

 

 

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Kory owns the Otter’s Den fly shop in Columbus, Montana and guides on the local rivers of south-central Montana.  Kory is one of the better-known fly tiers in the region and has created some wonderful patterns that work well on the Stillwater, Boulder, Bighorn, and Yellowstone rivers.  Kory has been tying commercially since he was thirteen years old and started  Bug Craft Custom Flies at age 23.  He has been guiding since 1996 and purchased the Otter’s Den in 1998.  When not guiding or running the fly shop, Kory enjoys pursuing a wide variety of freshwater species.  He has caught over twenty-four different freshwater species on a fly, including the local carp and smallmouth bass he chases in his off hours.  Kory can be reached at the Otter’s Den at 406-322-4977.