[Video] Tying a Sunken Spinner Trico

This week’s Friday Night Fly Tying Video is brought to us by Rich Strolis and features a trio of unique sunken spinner Trico videos. Yes sunken.

Tips on Tying Tricos

When I first saw this Trico video I was a little puzzled by the use of the tungsten bead, but Rich quickly addressed my concern by pointing out how short and stout Tricos are, hence the bead is not all that out of proportion. Next up – tail length. The tail on most mayfly patterns is usually about as long as the body of the fly. Tricos on the other hand have tails that are 2 to 4 times the length of the body. Lastly, I like the use of EP Silky fibers for the wing of this Trico pattern, which stick together when wet and become translucent just like a real spinner wing. Good tips Rich.

Fishing Tricos Euro Style

As Rich points out, his sunken trico patterns tied with a tungsten bead are ideally suited to be fished Euro style with a long-leader French or Spanish nymph rig. These methods allow for use of long thin tippets and are ideal for presenting light nymphs to spooky fish or in low-clear water situations as we are often faced with in the summer.

Material List

Hook: Barbless scud or dry fly, size 18-26
Head: Tungsten bead, 1.5-2.0 mm
Thread: UTC 70
Body: Mole dubbing
Tail & Wing: EP Silky Fibers

Happy Tying!

About the author

Ken is an avid fisherman of 40+ years who loves to explore and find new places to fish. He created DIY Fly Fishing to help you do the same.

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