Top Secret Baetis

Description

The Top Secret Baetis is a simple, yet effective baetis imitation. It features a slim profile, a segmented abdomen, and a dark wing pad. Whether you are fishing in the summer or winter, this is a must-have fly for your box.

Pat Dorsey believes, that sometimes “less is more” when fooling tough tailwater trout. The Top Secret Baetis is just that, as it offers a slim profile, a hint of segmentation in the abdomen, life-like legs, and a dark wing pad which is an important feature when imitating the mature nymph.

Fishing Strategies:

The Tops Secret Baetis works extremely well year-round however its greatest importance is in spring and late fall.  Some of the best fishing of the year occurs with tiny Baetis nymphs.  It is important to note that autumn Blue-Winged Olives are one to two sizes smaller than the ones in the spring, so we often carry Baetis nymphs in sizes 18-22 in this pattern.

We fish it in a tandem nymphing rig as a lead fly, trailing one or two other midge imitations (larva or pupa) off it. Droppers of choice include a Black Beauty, Top Secret Midge, or Manhattan Midge. Observation is key when trying to match the hatch. Look at the size of the adults and match the pupa accordingly.

Recipe:

Hook: #18-22 Tiemco 2488
Thread: Olive UTC 70 Denier
Tail: Hungarian Partridge
Abdomen: Olive UTC 70 Denier
Rib: Black Ultra Wire, Small
Thorax: Olive-Brown Superfine
Legs: Hungarian Partridge
Wing Case: Olive-Brown Medallion Sheeting