video - Birds Nest

Fly Patterns
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1

The Birds Nest is as effective today as when first fished in the Truckee River by the pattern’s originator, Cal Bird, in 1959.

Birds Nest
Hook: Grip 13021BL #12 (or equivalent 2XL medium wire hook)
Thread: Benecchi 12/0, tobacco
Rib: Copper wire, bright
Tail: Lemon woodduck barbs
Abdomen: Australian possum
Hackle: Lemon woodduck barbs
Thorax: Australian possum - in split thread

Video here - please view in HD, if able:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xvq3UUDCO7k

Cheers,
Hans W

2

Nice Hans!
There must be other variations? I take it that is the original?

3

Byron,

I patterned the fly in the video on some originals - tied with Australian possum and lemon woodduck. This is the best known version.

However, Cal also tied the pattern using other feathers and dubbing. I do not know for certain, but to me it looks like it may be muskrat and English grouse.

Cheers,
Hans W

4

Thanks Hans. Here is one on FAOL:
Apparently a Skip Morris version

http://www.flyanglersonline.com/flytying/fotw2/011501fotw.php

5

A very nice treatment of a modern classic. A deadly pattern. Shop versions (still a very popular pattern in Northern CA) have a tendency to be over-dressed in my opinion, and Hans did a good job keeping the profile slim. I tend not to use a split-thread/dubbing loop method for the head, however, because I find more modestly dubbed versions of this fly to be more effective. From the photos, it does not look like Cal did either, but it is a common modification often seen in shop flies.

6

The advantage I find with the split thread I can create volume without the bulk. To get the same look by traditional dubbing, and then brushing out, a lot more dubbing would be used. In the water the fly as shown will be much sleeker than it looks in dry state.

Cheers,
Hans W

7

The b nest is one of my staple flies on my trout waters. It works well for our tan caddis or the bigger( sz 14-12) crawler mayflies. I tie the fly a little sparser because much of our water tends to be on the slow side

8

I wonder if a shuck material might be better than a “tail” of barbules?

9

There is only one way to truly know the answer to that question. Ask the fish.

10

Here’s my version of the Birds Nest.

11

Very nice, enjoyed watching the video.

Ronnie

12

Byron,
I like the shuck. Going to tie some that way, but will stick with the wire rib. The mylar seems to me to be a bit much for a drab fly.
Mike

13

Thanks Mike.
I will let you know if it works. My belief is that it represents a caddis pupa emerging rather than a nymph.
Thanks again!

14

A way to dress the fly which has worked for me

http://www.flyline.com/fly_patterns/nymphs/birds_nest/

15

Thanks for the video Hans. One of my favorite in the lakes in the Sierras. Haven’t tied using the split thread yet, but I like the look. May try that the next time I’m tying some up.

Beaver

16

I tie a very loose interpretation of the Birds Nest for warm water. It is my go-to, and has caught everything from brookies to 3# largemouth. Mainly use it for bluegills!