KH Surf Shrimp…
(Original design created 2002)
Hook: Saltwater, #2 or #4 (TMC 811S)
Thread: Tan or grey, #8/0 Uni-thread
Weight (optional): Lead wire, 4 wraps on shank, just above hook point.
Mouth: Deer Hair, Opossum (bleached, tips and underfur)
Optics: Barbell Mono, black, medium
Head: Opossum dubbing, color options: rust, olive, or bleached
Legs: Opossum hair tips, bleached
Body: Opossum dubbing, bleached
KH Pygmy Hopper…
(Original design created 2002)
Hook: Straight eye, 3X long curved shank, #6 - #8 (Daiichi 1270, Tiemco 200RBL)
Thread: Brown or Tan (#8/0 or #6/0)
Tag: Red, Super Floss or silk
Abdomen: Brown + gold + tan, Antron fibers, furled application
Wing: Deer hair, dark natural
…..alternative wing: Turkey tail feather (or quill), coated with SofTex
Long Kicker Legs: Silicone Legs, Pumpkin/Blue Black Flake
Front Legs: Pumpkin/Blue Black Flake, Silicone Legs
Head: Light Hare’s Ear, Buggy Nymph Dubbing
Head Float: 3mm Fly Foam, brown or orange (you could substitute with white foam, colored with Prismacolor Pen, brown or pumpkin)
Furled Alevin…
(Original design created 2004)
Hook: Wide-gape Scud design, 2X short shank, fine or heavy wire,
#10 - #8 (Daiichi 1130 light wire, Tiemco 2487 2x heavy wire)
Thread: Match body color, #8/0
Weight (optional): Metal Bead, gold or silver, size small
Egg Sac: Glo Bug Yarn, Alaskan Roe or Light Roe
Extended Body: Furled Antron, (tan, cream, or gold) approx 1 ½
hook lengths.
Optics (optional): Monofilament nymph eyes, medium, black
Photo credit: Hans Weilenmann
Pearl Yeti…
(Original design created 1988)
Hook: Salmon/steelhead, light wire #4 - #1/0 (samples: Tiemco
TMC 7989, Partridge Bartleet, Daiichi 2059 #3, Gaelic Supreme
by Sprite)
Thread: Black or white #8/0
Tag: Flr. Green floss
Butt: Silver tinsel thread
Tail: Poly yarn, white, length approx one hook shank
Body: Lite Brite, pearl blue (can blend with “SLF” or similar
dubbing)
Wing: Bucktail, white, sparse (calf tail for smaller hooks)
Collar: Teal flank, natural
Head: Optional, Hare-tron dubbing, black or white
Photo credit: Hans Weilenmann
“I began tying around 1976 about eight years after I started fly fishing. Polly Rosebourough’s nymphs and streamers were a major influence on my understanding of material applications. His approach of creating “suggestive” patterns made a great deal of sense to me. It in fact has become a cornerstone for my tying style. Andre Puyans taught me about balance and proportions. During the late seventies I was also beginning to look deeper into the natural cycles of the saltwater food chain. Roderick Haig-Brown, Tommy Brayshaw, and Jim Pray are three more tiers that taught me the value of creativity and conservation behind the vise. Their patterns were eloquently simple, uncluttered, and effective. These guys were salmon and steelhead Royalty. Their appreciation and knowledge of coastal fisheries continues to spark my adventures in saltwater designs. I’d also like to credit A.K. Best as a key figure in my tying journey. He has without-a-doubt given me insights into better preparing myself and my materials for the task at hand. AK’s the quintessential teacher and I always look forward to our conversations. It was an honor to be a part of his Pro Tying Team.”
…Ken’s fly patterns have been featured in books and magazines, pro shops and more. His designs are currently being distributed through Umpqua Feather Merchants.
©2006 Pacific Extremes
