The Smoke Jumper was originally tied as a midge emerger by Mike Hoiness of Yellowstone Fly Goods in Billings, and it’s quite popular on the Bighorn. Tim Flagler of Tightline Productions is clearly a fan, as well, as he has created videos about how to tie the original pattern and an Isonychia version. There seems to be a little debate about whether the pattern’s name is one word, Smokejumper, or two, Smoke Jumper. Either way, it catches trout.
In today’s video, Tim Flagler demonstrates small blue-winged olive version, featuring a slim, tapered, segmented body that imitates the diminutive fall Baetis hatching across the country in fall. It’s a very simple pattern that sits low on the water, yet the CDC wing is easy to see. This is important because spotting a size 18 or 20 dry fly on the water can be tough.
Smoke Jumper
Hook: Czech-nymph hook (here a Fulling Mill 5065), size 18.
Thread: Yellow-olive, 70-denier or 8/0.
Rib: Silver Ultra Wire, extra-small.
Body: Silver Ultra Wire, extra-small.
Wingcase/wing: Light-dun CDC puff.
Thorax: Peacock herl.
Head: Yellow-olive tying thread.
Tools: Bodkin, whip-finish tool.
Credit: Source link
