Nectopsyche (White Miller)

[Old Hat]

Here is a pupa pattern for the Nectopsyche Caddis (AKA White Miller). When I was in Yellowstone this past June these were out and about in good numbers on the Firehole River. Going to put a couple sizes (14 and 16's) and variations in my box for this Spring.

Hook: Daiichi 1710 #14
Thread: Pearsall's silk thread in olive green
Hackle: Partridge breast feather
Tail: Antron fibers (50/50 mix of white and cream), length of hook gape
Body: 50% mix of bleached natural wool and Sprit River simi-seal dub in cream. Brushed.

[hankaye]

Old/new Hat, Howdy;

Carl, Good looking fly. Are these bugs common to the area or just
the Firehole? Maybe I should check with that western bug guide ...
what was the name of it? Wayne has mentioned it a few times and I
can't seem to find it (should have saved it to my favorites).

hank

[Old Hat]

Sorry, I have done this twice now. It should read Nectopsyche with a "t" and not an "r". Fingers must have been misaligned on the keyboard and it looked OK for this old brain's word recognition program.

Not an attempt at morbid humor.

That should help and a search of "White Miller" will probably bring up more info. This is not only on the Firehole. This is a caddis associated with warmer water hatches though and the Firehole probably hatches earlier than most. I have heard this has been a growing hatch in the yellowstone area in the last several years due to hot dry summers in the area.

[letumgo]

Carl - I have modified the subject line to read "Nectopsyche", as requested. Wonderful fly. I saw the photo you posted over on Fly Tying Forum before I saw this one. WOW!

[Roadkill]

I used the soft hackle to good effect last September on the Firehole. My pattern was based on the earlier tie in Fly Patterns of Yellowstone Vol 2. I picked up the adult from Craig Mathews several years ago.
http://www.blue-ribbon-flies.com/how-to ... ft_hackle/
http://www.blue-ribbon-flies.com/how-to ... r_x_caddis

Mint green dubbing is a newer choice at Blue Ribbon Flies for the white miller emerger.
http://www.blue-ribbon-flies.com/how-to ... ris_caddis

[Old Hat]

Good to know Roadkill. That book is where I got the foundation of this pattern as well. They're going more green now. Thanks for the info.

[gingerdun]

Carl,
Thanks for steering our thinking toward June fishing in Montana.
I can believe that this pattern would work there.
Roadkill's reference to a mint green version brought to mind a green caddis in Pete's fly wallet. It would probably be worth a try there in June too.
The tinsel has tarnished, but it must have sparkled when new.

[Old Hat]

There are quite a bit of caddis usually emerging in June in that area. I am not sure those would be taken for the White Miller. It is a strangely white pupa and adult with just slight olive undertones. I think those may be too green for the Miller and the hackle a bit too dark. Not to say the fish wouldn't take them during the hatch. It is hard to see the actual color they are using in the video. However there is also Hydropsyche caddis available at that time I believe and think those may do well in small sizes for them.

[gingerdun]

Carl,
Here are some of Pete's white flies, one with thread rib, and two with silver wire, now tarnished.
I especially like your partridge hackle, and the Antron tail.



That second fly with the yellow rib and thorax hackle is something altogether different, and not relevant to this string.

[Old Hat]

Those could very well be for the White Miller. Even the second one. Once wet I could see that darken to an olive shade with the cream dubbing.
The caddis don't have a tail per say but the antron is often used on caddis patterns for the shuck. Who knows what the fish think, but the antron tuft at the end usually is a plus on the patterns.