Very Small Flies

I finished a few small flies for two different customers recently. I’m always amazed how the stars seem to align. Turns out, both orders included some very small flies. I remember several years ago stating “if I need any flies size 20 or smaller, I’ll buy them!” Well, I’m having to eat those words right now.

One order included the Improved F Fly in size 24. The image below contrasts sizes 24 vs.16. Puts the small flies in perspective, doesn’t it?

And another image of a size 24 fly from three years ago.

My recent journey with small flies began with one of my favorite flies, the Improved Sparkle Dun. I tied PMDs in 16, 18, and 20’s and BWO in sizes 18 and 20. These are 20’s.

From there, I moved to the Black Wing Baetis Cripple in sizes 18, 20, and 22. Here are the 22’s.

The flies above imitate Baetis mayflies, otherwise known as Blue Wing Olives. Or they might imitate midges. It’s a lot of material to place on a small hook. Regardless, a size 22 will just look like a speck on the water!

How about a few size 22 Almost There Baetis? At least that’s what the hook package states.

Compare these two flies below. A size 22 In-The-Film CDC Midge Emerger (Daiichi 1110) on the left vs. a size 22 Almost There Baetis (Daiichi 1140) on the right.

Comparing a #24 Improved F Fly vs. #22 Almost There Baetis vs. #22 In-The-Film CDC Midge Emerger.

Sure, the 1140 is a shorter hook shank. But look at the difference in the hook. These differences drive me crazy. Even using the same hook manufacturer.

Remember those size 24 Improved F Flies?

I’ve written a couple of posts about small flies, including Small Flies where I highlighted a few size 24 midge fly patterns and Tying Small Flies where these tips are from:

• Select hooks with oversized eyes like the Daiichi hook model 1100 and 1110 to allow easier threading of tippet. These are great sharp wide-gape hooks I try to use when tying small flies.
• Use fine diameter thread. There are so many choices now. I use 8/0 or 70 denier thread for most of my fly tying, but select a 14/0 or 16/0 thread and you will be amazed at how many wraps can be applied to a small hook with very little bulk. But try to minimize the thread wraps anyway because you don’t need the extra ones.
• Many bodies on small flies use thread which is normally about 60% of the total fly. It’s much simpler to create a thread body than trying to dub it.
• One or two wraps of hackle is all you need for these tiny flies.
• Use a little flash either with a bead or a short wing. It gets the fishes attention and emulates some aspects of the real bug swimming to the surface to hatch.
• Start with a larger fly like a size 16, then move to an 18 and 20 after mastering the proportions. You’ll be surprised how this technique helps tying smaller flies.

The last tip is something I really believe. Follow it and you’ll be amazed how it will improve tying small flies.

These “large” flies are size 18 Light Hendrickson’s. I smiled when I noticed these on the order. I’ve never tied this style of wings that small. I was pleased they turned out so well.

In fact, after tying size 24 flies, I looked at the hook package three times to make sure I was using size 18’s. I thought they were 16’s!

Now you can understand why I am looking forward to fishing size 12 and 14 March Brown mayflies!

Lastly, here is a link to another fly tying video from my RiverKeeper flies YouTube channel I just published:

Be sure to subscribe to my channel and you’ll receive a notification when the next video is published.

Enjoy…go fish, stay safe!