Tricos are small mayflies of the Tricorythodes genus that produce one of the longest hatch periods of the season, emerging in prolific numbers from July through October. It’s when the spinners return to the water to lay eggs, however, that trout really begin to gorgoe. Because they are small–sizes 20 through 24–Trico spinner imitations can be tough to see on the water. But tiny-fly aficionados such as Colorado’s Ed Engle and the late Charles Meck of Pennsylvania discovered that patterns fished below the surface actually work better, anyway.
In this great video, Tim Flagler of Tightline Productions shows you how to tie the Sunken Trico Spinner, which combines aspects of patterns created by Engle and Meck. It’s a simple pattern to tie, and Tim offers a couple of tricks to make it even easier. The key, when working on such tiny hooks, is to limit the amount of material you apply. Less is more.
Sunken Trico Spinner
Hook: Standard scud/pupa hook (here, an Umpqua U202), size 22.
Thread: Black Veevus, 16/0.
Tails: White Mayfly Tails or microfibbets.
Adhesive #1: UV-cure resin.
Wing: White Antron yarn.
Weight: .015 lead-free round wire.
Thorax: Black beaver-fur dubbing.
Tools: Bodkin.