Fly of the Month - August 2007
"RS2"
Tied By: Aaron Jasper
The RS2 is without a doubt one of the most productive flies ever designed. Rim Chung designed this fly and now it is found in most fly fishermen’s arsenals. Many fly fishermen will tell you that this is their “go to” pattern even on the most heavily pressured trout streams. This fly has taken countless trout for me. I have caught trout on RS2’s on nearly every trout stream that I have fished. It out produces most flies on heavily pressured tail water fisheries such as the Farmington in Connecticut and the West Branch of the Delaware in New York. Where ever you fish for trout make sure, if you haven’t already give this pattern a try. This fly is one pattern that has stood the test of time. In a day where people are looking for flies with beads and flash the plain old RS2 will out fish many of these “new” flies with ease. Tie some of these up and give them a go when you venture out on the stream. This fly is extremely productive during the Summer and Fall. During these two seasons there is more BWO activity than the other two seasons. If I were you I would have a few dozen of these ready for the Fall BWO hatches that occur on nearly all of the streams that we fish.
Recipe
Chickabou feather medium dun color
Olive UTC 70 thread
BWO Stalcup's dry fly dubbing
Light dun microfibets
TMC 3769 Size 16 (you can tie this fly from a 14 all the way down to a size 26)
Step 1: Wrap thread onto hook shank
Step 2: Dub a small ball onto the rear of the hook. This ball will be used to separate the tails of the fly.
Step 3: Tie in the microfibets and separate them evenly with your fingers (this is a top view of what it should look like)
Step 4: Dub a tapered body going about two thirds up the hook shank.
Step 5: Tie in the chickabou feather to make the wing of the emerging mayfly.
Step 6: Dub the fly up to the hook eye and whip finish.
Step 7: The finished fly as viewed from above.