To properly learn the techniques and flies presented in this website, work your way through the Basic Skills sections and then do the listed flies in the recommended order. Each fly builds on previously learned skills. Once you have done this, the flies listed for river use (Stonefly, Cranefly, Egg Pattern, and Baitfish) should be easily mastered.

Importance to Fly Fishing

When salmon enter rivers to spawn, trout follow closely behind. When the female salmon lays her eggs, many stray eggs find their way into the stream. The trout love to feed on these stray eggs. A favourite annual experience for many anglers is to wade in near where salmon are spawning, drift an egg pattern among the salmon and catch trout after trout.

There are many different egg patterns that exist. Chenille, glo-yarn, pom poms, and even hot coloured glue are some materials that have been used. Once you have gained tying experience, try some of these materials. The pattern shown here requires a pom pom "crazy glued" into place.

Materials needed for this river fly.

For the lake flies previously described there was a set of materials that applied to all of them. The river flies will require a different list of materials for each that you will need to shop for. For this Egg pattern you will need to add:

• Pom poms (can be purchased at a hobby store or fly shop)
• Tiemco 105 egg hook, size 8
• Crazy Glue

Here are some pom-poms. The pom-poms at the top were purchased at a hobby shop. The pom-poms at the bottom were purchased at a fly shop. They have sparkle added to them which helps attract the fish’s attention.

Slide the pom-pom onto the hook.

Place the hook into the vice. Make sure the pom pom is positioned as shown. This allows you to put the glue onto the shank without the egg getting in the way.

CAUTION: Crazy Glue is a very powerful glue that sets quickly. It glues almost everything, including skin. It must be used carefully in small amounts. If you are a youth, make sure that an adult is present when using this glue.

Put some "crazy" glue onto the shank of the hook where the egg will finally rest.

Slide the egg into position and let the glue set. Your egg pattern is complete!

New fly tying products are developed all the time. A recent product is called "Rainbow Eggs." These soft egg-like spheres are very life like in colour and texture. They also can be slid onto a hook. They come in single, double, and multi-egg bunches. Here is a picture of two egg and multi-egg bunches on finished egg flies. The larger hook is intended for steelhead. (prepared by Sheldon Moore)

Where to find fish in a river.

How to fish this fly in a river.