modern Michigan nymph · by 2010
Ted's Swimming Hex
Also called Swimming Hex
Solid origin Rainy's Flies and Feather-Craft sell it as Ted's Swimming Hex, and a 2010 True North Trout report links to Kraimer's tying article, which agrees with his own account of a 2010 commercial release.
History
Ted Kraimer, a Traverse City guide, says he first tied this rabbit-strip Hex nymph for carp on the flats around Grand Traverse Bay. The weight sits on top of the shank so the fly rides hook-up over silt and sand, and the rabbit tail gives the undulating motion of a burrowing mayfly nymph.
He later used it for smallmouth bass, for trout before the Hex hatch, and under a float for steelhead, and notes it can pass for a young goby. His page says it appeared among Rainy's new flies in Fly Tyer in spring 2010; a True North Trout fishing report from May 2010 already links to his tying instructions, and Rainy's still sells it under his name.
Materials
| Hook | Mustad C49S or TFS 2500, size 6 |
|---|---|
| Thread | Uni 6/0 camel |
| Tail/body | Tan/brown barred rabbit strip |
| Eyes | Medium bead chain or extra-small to small lead dumbbell, tied on top so the hook rides point-up |
| Gills | Gray fibers from the base of a pheasant rump feather |
| Thorax | Golden stone dubbing (Wapsi Lifecycle) |
| Wing case | Peacock herl |
| Legs | Pumpkin/black Sili Legs |
| Hackle | Pheasant rump feather |
Sources
- Kraimer, T. "Ted's Swimming Hex Nymph." Current Works Guide Service, March 13, 2012.
- "Ted Kraimer" designer collection. Rainy's Flies.
- "Rainy's Ted's Swimming Hex." Feather-Craft.
- "Ted's Fishing Report: Late May, 2010." True North Trout, 2010.
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No photo yet. Every photo on michfly is of a fly tied for the site, so they're added a few at a time.
Original recipe cards for many Michigan patterns are kept at the Michigan Dry Flies archive, built by the late Tom Deschaine.