Fly of the Month Bob Ireton brings together his experience in fly fishing, aquatic entomology, and knowledge of fly tying techniques and materials, to design and tie durable and effective flies.

   Volume 5,  Issue 12                                                       December 2004

 TELLICO NYMPH
    Fly, Text, and Photography by Bob Ireton

This pattern originated on the Tellico River in the Smoky Mountains about 75 years ago. The Tellico fly is mentioned in the book ‘Trout’ by Rex Bergman, published in 1938. Back then, the pattern called for a pale ‘blonde’ body. The originals were tied with whatever materials that were handy at the time. About 30 years ago, the body was changed to the present ‘yellow’. Some say this color change was do to people starting to fish for trout using ‘corn’. This could very well be. I would hope it was changed to yellow to resemble the yellow stonefly nymph! The fly is now tied with many variations of patterns and materials. For whatever reason, the Tellico is a consistent producer for trout, smallmouth bass, sunfish, and other species of fish.

MATERIALS

Hook – Daiichi 1560, TMC 3761, Mustad 3906B, Dai-Riki 060, or Orvis 167.
Size – 10 – 18.
Thread – Black, UNI 6/0.
Tail – Guinea feather fibers.
Rib – Peacock herl, 3 strands.
Back – Ringneck Pheasant tail feather fibers.
Body – Yellow floss, 4 strand, doubled.
Collar – Furnace Hackle.

TYING STEPS -  click on pictures for larger view

1 - Place the hook properly in the vice. Pinch down barb, if desired. I am using a Daiichi 1560, size 10, for this fly. Start thread behind eye of hook, and lay on a tight thread base. Stop above the hook barb, and tie a half hitch. You can add weight to this pattern, so if you would like a weighted fly, apply the weight now.
2 - Select some fibers from a Guinea Fowl feather. Even up the tips, and tie in on top of the hook shank. The length of the tail should equal the length of the hook shank. Tie a half hitch.
3 – Attach the following components of the fly in the order given. The peacock herl for the rib, the pheasant tail fibers for the back, and the 4-strand floss, doubled, for the body. Even up the thread wraps, and bring the working thread forward. Tie a half hitch.
4 – Palmer the floss forward to form the body. This step makes great use of a ‘rotary’ vice. Tie off the floss, and snip off the excess. Tie a half hitch.
5 – Carefully twist the 3 strands of herl together to form a rope. Now palmer this forward to form the segmented rib. Tie off the herl, snip off the excess, and tie a half hitch.
6 – Select a piece of size 10 furnace hackle. Tie it in behind the hook eye, and palmer around the fly to form the collar. Tie off, trim off the excess, and tie a half hitch.
7 – Bring the pheasant tail feather fibers forward to form the back. Hold in place and tie off. Snip off the excess fibers, then form a head with the working thread. Tie a couple of half hitches, then a whip finish. Cut off the working thread, and apply some head cement.

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