Here is the fly pattern sheet for the Root Beer Float Perdigon, a Bill Seitz variant.

Root Beer Float Perdigon | www.johnkreft.com

Materials

 

Hook:

Daiichi 1560, Dai Riki 060 # 16 – 20

Bead:

Size 2.4/2.3 mm brass, copper or gold bead for size 16, size 2.0 mm for size 18 and 20 hooks.

Thread:

Black Ultra Thread (70 denier)

Tail:

Pearl midge krystal flash (4 strands of krystal flash for size 16 and 18 hooks, 3 strands for size 20 hook)

Rib:

Optional: Small white wire

Body:

One strand of root beer Krystal Flash

Collar:

Fluorescent orange Ultra Thread (70 denier)

Wing Case:

Wet and Wild black finger nail polish for size 16, black fine Sharpie permanent marker for size 18 and 20 hook

Coating:

UV resin or Sally Hansen’s Hard as Nails polish

Option: No, collar.  Black thorax using black Ultra Thread (70 denier) and medium opal mirage tinsel

Directions:

  1. Place bead on a de-barbed hook
  2. Start thread on hook behind the bead.
  3. Slip 2 1” pieces of midge krystal flash under the thread then advance the thread the krystal flash and thread down the shank. This creates a tail of 4 strands of krystal flash.  Tail length is hook shank length starting  behind the bead.
  4. Advance thread back to bead and attach wire rib. Stick the wire rib under the bead and secure.
  5. Advance the thread back to tail to secure the rib then make a tapered body. See photo.
  6. Spiral wrap the rib forward and secure rib behind the bead. Make 2 half hitches and cut thread.
  7. Attach the fluorescent thread and wrap a collar then whip finish and cut thread.
  8. Using the black finger nail polish, paint a black wing case on the thorax area and top of bead. On size 18 and 20 hooks, use the fine Sharpie marker.
  9. Let the wing case dry then coat the fly with a UV resin or clear finger nail polish.

Option:  After wrapping the rib forward, secure rib and use 2 half hitches to secure thread.  Attach black thread then attach a 1” piece of medium opal mirage tinsel for wing case.  Finish wrapping the thorax and pull the tinsel over the top and secure with a whip finish.  Coat the fly as above.

“A few years ago, perdigon fly patterns showed up on the international fly fishing competition scene.  The patterns were quickly adopted by all.  Why?  They catch fish; a lot of fish.  The Spanish Fly Fishing Team developed the pattern to be suggestive of many “aquatic bugs” and sink quickly in the water column.  Perdigon means “pellet” in Spanish.  The main characteristics of the perdigon patterns include a straight shank hook or jig hook, copper or gold tungsten beads, Coq de leon tail fibers, a body of krystal flash, a hot spot collar, and a black wing case.  In July 2017, I started experimenting with several perdigon patterns on the Crooked River and in Montana.  I finally settled on four variants.  Because I use the “drop shot” method of nymphing, I use brass beads.  Coq de leon feathers are relatively expensive and not totally durable so I substitute tails made with midge krystal flash or fluorofibre material (Many of you know that I don’t use much natural material in my nymph patterns).  Also, I incorporated some of the triggers from well known nymph patterns in my variants.  So, here are my top 4 go to perdigon patterns.  For more patterns, search perdigon fly patterns on the internet.” Bill Seitz