Description
In the late 80s, long before beadheads reached the Americas and as my slack-line nymphing game came into its own, I became darn near a one-pattern angler. The fly of choice was a commercial rendition of Cal Birds Birds Nest. With a few #16s, a spool of 5X, and some BB shot, I felt unstoppable. Once beads came forward, I began working on my own version of the Birds Nest, and after a good deal of experimentation settled on the Dirty Bird, which was my first-ever royalty pattern. After nearly three decades of fishing it, it remains my go-to pattern. If I want to skip the careful observation period and just go fishing, this is my fly. It is super generic and buggy and works as a caddis, mayfly and scud. The black bead is more subtle and realistic than other beads and the fly works great dead-drifted or on the swing.









Howell's Ska-Opper|Natural|Black|4
3 Pack Flash Back Bead Head Prince Nymph Fly Fishing Flies - Hook Size 12
3 Pack Gold Bead Kaufmann's Black Stonefly with Rubber Legs - Stonefly Nymph - Hook Size 4
Highlander Loop Bottle Tube Fly Salmon Flies
Howells Guide Intruder|Chartreuse|Pink|Black / Purple
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