Notes: Developed by guide Mike Mercer of Redding, California. Mike developed this fly based upon a new body
material called EZ Bug Yarn by Hugh Beglin and marketed by Metz. The material allowed Mike to develop
an extended body that was durable yet soft and sinuous within the water. Metz discontinued the material but Cascade Crest of Medford, OR continues to market the material as Ezee Bug. Mike added Ostrich Herl tips
for the tail and secured them with a whip finish that also kept the EZ Bug Yarn from unraveling. Gills,
on many hex nymphs, are filoplumes which tend to be small and weak. Mike used natural-gray Marabou and
pinch-trimmed the marabou fibers so that they did not extend beyond the length of the abdomen yet
provided very enticing movement to the fly. The wingcase are two pieces of mottled turkey with a
coating of epoxy. By using two layers of turkey, this ensures that the epoxy will not soak into the
thorax. Hex Nymphs being very lively encouraged Mike to also utilize a set of Crazy Legs to the fly
just behind the eye. Many hex patterns utilize monofilament eyes, Mike was encouraged by Tim Fox to
use Black bead chain eyes to also achieve some weighting to the fly and get some jigging type motion.
The last step to Mike's fly is the application of a tan marking pen applied to the top of the thorax
to more closely match the natural.
The fly should be fished along the bottom with a moderately fast short-strip. Give the fly a jigging
action which mimics the naturals action. Hex nymphs can be fished during the day, especially within the
Lake Almanor area where they are prolific. During the evening, when they are hatching, allows an
opportunity to switch to a dry fly or emerger pattern.
Developed by guide Mike Mercer of Redding, California. Mike developed this fly based upon a new body
material called EZ Bug Yarn by Hugh Beglin and marketed by Metz. The material allowed Mike to develop
an extended body that was durable yet soft and sinuous within the water. Metz discontinued the material but Cascade Crest of Medford, OR continues to market the material as Ezee Bug. Mike added Ostrich Herl tips
for the tail and secured them with a whip finish that also kept the EZ Bug Yarn from unraveling. Gills,
on many hex nymphs, are filoplumes which tend to be small and weak. Mike used natural-gray Marabou and
pinch-trimmed the marabou fibers so that they did not extend beyond the length of the abdomen yet
provided very enticing movement to the fly. The wingcase are two pieces of mottled turkey with a
coating of epoxy. By using two layers of turkey, this ensures that the epoxy will not soak into the
thorax. Hex Nymphs being very lively encouraged Mike to also utilize a set of Crazy Legs to the fly
just behind the eye. Many hex patterns utilize monofilament eyes, Mike was encouraged by Tim Fox to
use Black bead chain eyes to also achieve some weighting to the fly and get some jigging type motion.
The last step to Mike's fly is the application of a tan marking pen applied to the top of the thorax
to more closely match the natural.