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Tying the RS2
By A.K. BEST
Those of you who have ever fished an RS2 know that
it’s a deadly pattern that often produces when nothing else does. I
think it’s because the fly imitates a number of midge and small mayfly
nymphs and larvae.
I’ve increased the effectiveness of this fly by making a few substitutions
to the original pattern, allowing me to fish it near the bottom (with
some weight on the tippet) or as a floating emerger when I apply a good
silicone-based paste flotant. I tie them in only four body colors, all
of which seem to work very well in the Rocky Mountains: light olive;
medium dun; dark cream and black. Some additional colors will no doubt
make it an effective pattern where you fish.
Hook: Any brand dryfly hook, size 16 through 22.
Thread: 6/0 or 8/0, to match quill color, or a shade lighter.
Tail: Five or six shank length mottled hen back fibers), or mallard
dyed to wood duck.
Body: One stripped and dyed quill.
Wing Tuft: Segment of light-dun poly yarn (short).
Thorax: Two or three turns of loose medium-dun dubbing in front
of the wing tuft.
1) Most poly yarn sold as wing post material comes in three or four
strands. Separate the strands for about 10 inches and clip off about
eight inches of one strand and split it into halves or thirds (halves
for size 16 and 18, thirds for size 20 and smaller). Stretch it and
apply some dubbing wax to stiffen it slightly to make it easier to work
with.
2) Tie in the wing tuft after you have completed the body, and clip
it very short. It should stand at about a 45-degree angle from the body.
Hook point to barb point is a good rule of thumb for length. All those
little ends reflect a lot of light and make the fly amazingly easy to
see at surprising distances. Apply two or three turns of loose dubbing
in front of the wing tuft, whip-finish and you’re ready to go fool some
trout!
That’s it.—A.K.
Check out A.K.’s fly-tying videos, based on his popular books (unless
noted, all times are 60 minutes; prices $19.95): Tying Dry Flies
(120 minutes; $29.95); Tying BWOs; Tying Caddis & Midges;
Tying Callibaetis & Green Drakes; Tying Nymphs & Wets;
Tying Terrestrials; Basic Fresh Water Streamer Tying (available
soon; 120 minutes; $29.95); Basic Salt Water Tying (available soon;
120 minutes; $29.95); Tying Gordons, Hendricksons, March Browns
& Pale Evening Duns (available soon); Tying PMDs, Red Quills,
Tricos and Paraleptophlebias (available soon); Techniques for Tying
Tiny Dry Flies (available soon).
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