Page 202 - Blog

  • Putzy Pupa

    Putzy Pupa

    The Putzy pupa was created to be used as a point fly (weight fly) for low water conditions when fishing tandem nymph rigs. Turns out it tends to out fish the trailer 3 to 1. Inspired by Telleen's Polar Express minnow, the Putzy pupa incorporates an extended ice dub twisted tail to mimic the caddis pupa's bubble while exploding to the surface. I was truly surprised by the effectiveness of this fly. Tie it in a bunch of sizes and colors to match the hatch on your river. Materials: #125 Size 14 Steelhead Purple Lucent Bead 015 Wire UV Ice Dub Caddis green UV Ice dub Olive Brown

    Read more
    5 Min
  • North 40 Life

    1. Fly Tying Video: Purple Lightning Bug

      Fly Tying Video: Purple Lightning Bug

      Denver ties the Purple Lightning Bug. This pattern fishes well most months of the year, but especially in the Fall and Winter months, and makes for a great mayfly or midge imitation. Materials: Dai-Riki #135, Size 18 Purple Haze Holo Flash Fibers Peacock Herl Medium Holo Tinsel - Purple Ultra Thread 70 - Black Ultra Wire SM - Black 5/64" Bead - Black

      Read more
      5 Min
    2. Fly Tying Video: Pat's Rubber Legs

      Fly Tying Video: Pat's Rubber Legs

      Pats rubber legs is a stonefly pattern that works well in both spring and fall when the stonefly nymphs are on the drift. This fly can also be fished a week before the Salmon fly hatch, especially on freestones where the current runs swift. Because of the weight in this nymph it will get down quick, where these critters are drifting along the rocky streambed. This pattern has had much success, even over more realistic looking stonefly patterns. The Sexi-floss legs, which are a crinkled Spandex really give this fly movement in the water which make it really hard for trout to resist. It can be tied in a variety of chenille colors like olive, golden, orange and brown to match the insect. Materials: 710 Dai Riki Size 6 70 denier brown or tan Ultra thread .030 lead wire Sexi-legs brown New Age Chenille Hard as Hull head cement

      Read more
      5 Min
    3. Fly Tying Video: Olson's Truckee Craw Fly Tying Video: Olson's Truckee Craw

      Fly Tying Video: Olson's Truckee Craw

      Justin Olson has developed this amazing little crayfish pattern from fishing hard for big browns on the Truckee river and other near Reno, Nevada. Justin learned to tie from some of the best in the business working at the Reno Fly Shop the past few years with Dave Stanley, Mikey Wier, and Andy Burke and others who are all amazing tiers and fishermen. We are very excited about having Justin working here now at the North 40 Fly Shop in Great Falls, MT. Materials: Hook Size #6 .035 Lead Wire UTC Floursecnt Orange Thread 70 Hungarian Partridge Swiss Straw Dubbing Gold CDC Orange Grizzly Marabou Purple dubbing Ostrich Tuft Brown Hackle Small Gold Wire

      Read more
      5 Min
    4. Olson's Mono Baetis

      Olson's Mono Baetis

      Justin developed this nymph to fish baetis hatches on western streams. This fly works well behind a heavily weighted nymph, stonefly or caddis larva. The mono baetis itself is not weighted, so it can also be fished behind a dry fly. This realistically colored pattern should find its way into your late spring/early summer arsenal. Materials: 18 Dai-Riki 135 scud hook Olive yellow UTC thred 70 5X Monofiliment Mallard Flank Feather or Wood Duck Black Turkey Byit Super-fine dry fly dubbing- Yellow

      Read more
      5 Min
    5. October Caddis Pupa

      October Caddis Pupa

      Dustin's October Caddis Pupa fly pattern is a great fly to swing for steelhead and even trout at the end of September just prior to the emergence of the adult October caddis. It is best to coordinate your timing will the falling of the the leaves. October caddis are already an unpredictable hatch, but the pupa become active when they notice temperatures falling. Also, look for pupal shucks along bankside rocks and you will know the time is right. Sometimes fishing a pupa pattern versus the actual adult on the surface will produce more strikes since it is the easier take for steelhead. Fish this pattern with confidence and hang on! Materials: Hook: Size 8 Orange Orange Mini Body Stretch Thread: UTC 140 FL. Orange UV Hot Orange Steelhead Ice Dub Black Rabbit Zonker UV Orange Krystal Flash Dyed Pheasant Rump Black Hares Ear Dubbing

      Read more
      5 Min
    6. Lil Patriot Midge

      Lil Patriot Midge

      This pattern will work great in cold weather fishing situations. Especially tailwaters such as the Missouri River in winter. This fly is a trout magnet. The red and blue combiation of materials with lend hand in making this fly stand out in a crowd and get trout chasing your fly. Fish inhale midge larva, pupa and adults all day long in winter, so why not put something in front of their mouth you know they will have a pankering for. The Lil Patriot Midge does just that. Materials: Dai Riki #135 Size 16/18 Small Red Glass Bead Small Silver Brush Wire Montana Fly Co. Blue Midge Body Thread

      Read more
      5 Min
    7. Fly Tying Video: Hot Spot Czech Nymph Fly Tying Video: Hot Spot Czech Nymph

      Fly Tying Video: Hot Spot Czech Nymph

      Justin developed this heavy nymph pattern to get down deep fast in freestone water out west. It makes for a good runoff fly that would be effective on Belt Creek, the Dearborn, the Sun...anywhere you've got good riffles and runs. Tie 'em...fish 'em! Materials: Partridge Czech Nymph Barbless Hook - Size 10 1/8" Tungsten Bead .035 Lead Wire 140 Fluorescent Orange Waxed Black Ice Dubbing Blended UV Yellow & Olive Hair's Ear Dubbing 3X Mono 1/4" Scud Back - Olive HEAD CEMENT

      Read more
      5 Min
    8. Fly Tying Video: Bubble Back PMD

      Fly Tying Video: Bubble Back PMD

      This is an attention grabbing Pale Morning Dun nymph imitation. The CDC going over the bead creates a bubble looking top that really looks like emerging wings ready to pop. A great pattern to use in quick water during the PMD hatch. Materials: Small copper wire Copper bead Scud hook Size 70 ultrathread Copper dubbing (ice dub or quick decent) Pheasant tail White CDC Rainbow Crystal Flash in Pearl or Lime Brown Ice Dub  

      Read more
      5 Min
    9. Blue Nymph

      Blue Nymph

      Dustin Bise is on the vise this week tying up his blue nymph. A combination of prince nymph and czech nymph characteristics, this fly is an all around good variation in blue. Materials: Dai-Riki #135 Krystal Flash UV blue .015 lead wire White goose biot UTC Ultra Wire medium gunmetal blue UTC hollow tinsel medium blue Nature's Spirit royal blue guinea Dubbing - SLF electric blue Blue tungsten bead

      Read more
      5 Min
    Local store prices may vary from those displayed. Products shown as available are normally stocked, but inventory levels cannot be guaranteed. North 40 Outfitters operates strictly as a retailer, not a wholesaler. We reserve the right to decline orders to other retail outlets and/or any other reseller to provide product availability for our end-user customers. If you have questions or concerns about this policy, please call 844.466.8440.
    © 2026 CSWW Inc. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site is subject to certain Terms of Use which constitute a legal agreement between you and North 40 Outfitters.