By Ray Schmidt
Like most of us that began Steelhead fly fishing in the Great Lakes region back in the early 1970's, frustration was the order of the day. Watching bait anglers using spinning gear catch fish after fish, when we went on for days with nothing lead me to rethink my method. Methods are a whole other story. What I observed was anglers using a bait that they called "wigglers". In reality the wiggler is a giant mayfly nymph know as "hexagenia limbata". Steelhead and other fish love them; they're a mouth full and then some. Lake Michigan tributary streams are loaded with this mayfly and Steelhead grew up in their natal streams eating them. When they return to those streams they remember "imprinted" the nymph and eat them as adults. Bingo! The Hex Nymph was born.
I started tieing a fly that had similarities using the materials that were available to me. I caught a Steelhead! I'm on to something! In 1977, I got lucky; I was introduced to a guy named Dave Whitlock. Dave gave me the idea to put some eyeballs on the nymph, like some he was tying, stone nymphs, damsels and the like. This greatly enhanced the effectiveness of the fly.
The fly today is still evolving as new materials come to the market and fly tiers start their experimenting. The simple fact remains this is one of the best flies ever developed for Steelhead.
Hex Nymph Recipe
- Hook: Tiemco 200R, Daiichi 1270 or equivalent
- Thread: 3/0 light orange
- Eyes: Small black mono eyes
- Tail: Pheasant tail central fibers
- Shellback: Pheasant tail central fibers
- Rib: Fine wire copper
- Body: Life Cycle dubbing (golden orange color)
- Wing Case: Pheasant tail central fibers (treated with Flex-seal or Flexament)
- Thorax: 2/3 turns of Peach Estaz
- Legs: Partridge or hen saddle (sparse)
Fishing the Hex Nymph
The Hex Nymph can be fished anytime, but spring and late fall are the best for Steelhead.
Fishing the fly slow and near bottom is best especially when water temperatures drop. The best methods for getting the fly in those zones and fishing the fly slow are a lifetime of learning. Dead drift with a common method called ?chuck and duck? or ?drift fishing? is probably the best. Another method is ?right angle nymph fishing?.
At Schmidt Outfitters and their partner fly shops like FlyMart, you can obtain Ray Schmidt's fly patterns in printed form, view those flies on the web as well as get the tying recipes, flies and materials. You can also obtain ?Steelhead, Techniques for Success?, by Ray Schmidt. This is a simple hand out that helps you rig your gear to catch more fish.
About Schmidt Outfitters
Schmidt Outfitters - Ray and his team of professional guides can get you into the spring steelhead action on the Manistee River and surrounding waters.
Schmidt Outfitters offers the best in destination fly fishing for Steelhead, King Salmon, Coho Salmon, Trout and Smallmouth Bass. From our location in Wellston, Michigan. They are located in the heart of the Manistee National Forest, and are challenged by some of the most intense fishing in the country.
Schmidt Outfitters also offers first class lodging for guests at his fine facility. You can reserve a guide trip and lodging with Schmidt Outfitters by visiting them online or calling them at
1-888-221-9056. This pattern is also available for purchase at Ray's web site. Schmidt Outfitters Fly Fishing Shop
