Midge Patterns 101. The Sparkle Wing RS2 was invented by professional fly tier Bob Churchill. The RS2 pattern was developed more than 30 years ago by Colorado angler and tier Rim Chung. The ubiquitous RS-2 has gained a bit of flash and sometimes this can make all the difference. WD-40 The largest RS2 I remember using was a size 16. The RS2, a very effective pattern and a favorite of many an angler. WD-40 Pattern Description: The WD-40 is another simple pattern meant to imitate midge pupae and Baetis nymphs. Zelon Midge. Dorsey’s Mercury RS2 less than 1 minute read The Mercury RS2 by Pat Dorsey is a required fly in anyone’s fly box when fishing in Colorado. Griffiths Gnat. But, despite the variations, what all RS2 flies have in common is their profile. I tie them in sizes 24 thru 18. Many Colorado fly fishermen will tell you that Rim Chung’s original RS II fly pattern was one of the best ever to come along, and they also will tell you that Bob Churchill’s Sparkle Wing Emerger was then the best improvement ever made to it. However there have been many variations (including my own,) that use curved hooks. It is also a great fly to build variations in to over time to add your own twist. TAIL – Medium gray Microfibbets. 37. In order to tie a successful midge, you need to focus on a few key attributes. . Many variations have spun-off the original pattern including: the Sparkle Wing RS 2, Mercury RS 2, Flashback RS 2, Foam Wing Emerger RS 2, and the Mercury Flashback RS 2. Using an RS2 as a dropper off a dry fly is a great way to keep the fly in the film. Take an ample pinch from the packet and set it aside for the moment. RS stands for “Rim’s Semblance”. The RS2 is undoubtedly one of the single most productive flies in fly fishing. The wing casing of this fly resembles an emerging insect like a baetis or midge. A Functional RS2 Although the sparkle wing RS2 advanced to a more prominent role in my baetis nymph arsenal, I continued to carry a significant number of classic RS2’s in my fly storage boxes. The flies’ profile is a slender body, forked tail, and the emerging wing much like that of … This is a pattern that I have come to fish often, almost all times of the year. Fly Fishing Flies. This fly is a must and a great one to spin up yourself. This is very similar to my other video on the RS2, but for this tying video I am using the Norvise Rotary Fly Tying Vise. Fly of the Month: Bob Churchill's Sparkle Wing Emerger. Justin: The RS2 shouldn't be that difficult. This is a great fly TYING SMALL FLIES by Ed Engle Publication Date: December 1, 2003 Midge larvae and pupae, tiny parachutes,… According to Tim Flagler, “Rim Chung created the pattern we call the RS2 in the 1970s, and since then this fly has developed an extremely loyal following. Developed here in Colorado by our friend Rim Chung, this fly pattern is successful worldwide. These include the Mercury RS 2, Flashback Mercury RS 2, Whitley’s Flashback RS 2, and Churchill’s Sparkle Wing RS 2. Since we were fishing in the middle of October with moderately low flows, we chose to nymph under an indicator. Zebra Midge. The sparkle wing has a very thin profile body with a wing casing typically made of pearl braid. Through that time Anthony has developed many killer variations… The wonderfully versatile RS2.. . If the techniques are followed correctly, the success ratio is maximum and enormous. $3 Dip. Article from hatchmag.com. I am going be tying the RS2 on an Allen Fly Fishing D103S hook between the sizes of 16 through 20. It is one of the most popular and effective trout fishing patterns ever invented. For more great flies, check out: Beginning Fly Tying, Intermediate Fly Tying and Advanced Fly Tying. SPARKLE WING RS2. Deep Blue Poison Tung. Once again, give your bobbin a gentle counterclockwise spin to flatten out the thread. The following books feature Rim Chung, his RS2 fly patter, or variations on the RS2 fly. Several years ago, the guys at Umpqua Feather Merchants asked me to tie the samples for this pattern and I played with the usual version a bit to try to streamline it a little. 2. Whether you're looking for trout flies, bass flies, saltwater flies or anything in between - we have you covered with the best quality fly fishing flies on the market today, tied with only the best materials like Cascade Crest, Hareline, Flyme, and Waspsi materials on … You can create incredible variations by switching materials for the tail, body, and wing. Click on the picture or the fly name for a link to a fly pattern sheet with pictures and tying directions. FOAM WING RS2 Hook: TMC 101 18-24 Thread: 8/0 Gray OLIVE RS2. Another technique that might help is to form a very small ball of thread at the bend of the hook and then tie in the two tail fibers, … For example, we often use size 22’s and 24’s on the San Juan River in New Mexico. It can also be a great smallmouth pattern in the spring! This is just one of the variations. Without a doubt, the Sparkle Wing RS 2 is my favorite! Churchill’s pattern is a variation of the original RS2 created by Rim Chung nearly 4 decades ago. This mayfly emerger pattern is one of the most versatile and effective flies to fish. Crystal Serendipity. In the winter we often used 20 or 22 black RS2’s on the South Platte River near Deckers. By trimming off the tails, a better midge pattern emerges... no pun intended. The Mercury Baetis matches the hatch perfectly with a slender, tapered olive dubbed body and Black Z-lon wing case that imitates the naturals pre-emergence wing pad. Recreation & Sports Website Pages Businesses Media/News Company Publisher Fly Tyer Magazine Videos Tying Rim Chung's RS2 Many more modern versions, such as the one shown here, feature different. The fly pattern was designed to imitate an emerging mayfly. Mercury Midge. . Published by Headwater Books. Angler’s Covey guide Anthony Surage is our longest tenured guide with decades of experience on our area waters. It can be tied in many color variations including black, Adams Gray, and Blue Wing Olive (BWO). The head of the fly is created using gray rabbit fur. The Sparkle Wing RS2 is a variation of the ever so popular RS2 pattern developed by Rim Chung in the early 1970s. There are many different variations of this fly and they all work. If you haven’t tied or fished the RS2, you’re missing out. Charlie uses his thumbnail to split the tail apart after tying in the two tailing fibers. The body of the fly hangs down into the surface file and the wing looks like an emerging midge. Some fly pattern sheets have pictures of real bugs to help “match the hatch”. A more current update of my views on RS2 variations is available in my 01/15/2019 post. [ Tie this just as you would a regular RS2, just replace the antron or fluff wing with white foam. It is effective year round in nearly every body of water in Colorado. Dead drifting an RS2 under an indicator with weight, is the most common method I know. This is not a new pattern, but one that I like to have plenty of and in many sizes and color combos. The RS2 is a very adaptable fly. The name of the fly is short for "Rim's Semblance 2," and it fishes well as both a midge or a mayfly emerger. I believe it originated somewhere in Southern Colorado and was popularized on the San Juan River in New Mexico. Pattern Variations BLACK RS2. Since the fine work of an angler is involved in tying the rs2 fly fishing task, the angler should have the patience and skills to cope with the delicate process. So, an emerger can be fished as a nymph. It was designed originally for baetis and midges on the South Platte. PATTERN HOOK – Lightning Strike DF3 or an equivalent regular dry fly hook, size #20 THREAD – Black 12/0 gel spun. If one intends to tie an RS2, then one SHOULD by all means follow the pattern. This pattern is a quick, easy tie that uses just two materials besides thread. The correct fly depends on the stream and conditions. This particular dry fly hook has a straight eye, 1X--long shank and thin wire. Some flies that proved to be effective were of the small midge and Baetis variation. Fly tyers seem to love making variations. I don't have much experience with this vise, but am trying to utilize the methods and techniques of this vise. RS2. The Anything Fly: Tying the Beadhead RS2. It is tied in various colors including black, dun, purple, and Adams gray. The pattern below is a Foam Wing RS2. The RS2 can be fished as a nymph and also makes an excellent emerger pattern. The RS2 is a classic pattern that was created by Rim Chung. With a little practice, you’ll find tying midge patterns is one of the easiest types of flies to imitate and require very little materials making it both affordable to tie them and easy to tie a ton of variations. Credits: From Charlie Craven's Basic Fly Tying By Charlie Craven. With no lack of respect toward Chung’s original pattern, these variations have improved the fly dramatically. Rim, being extremely modest, doesn't really enjoy any form of self-recognition, but as they say, "imitation is the greatest form of flattery." BROWN RS2. However, when the fall approaches and we get hatches of small Blue Winged Olives, especially on gray & rainy days, this fly can really do well. Doing this makes it easier to further flatten the thread with your bodkin and then split it in half to form two roughly equal legs. The person who ties rs2 fly should know the basic techniques involved in the rs2 fly fishing technique. MERCURY RS2. Several variations of Chung’s original pattern have been the result of recent innovation. Tie some up and give them a try and let us know how you did. Another view of the finished fly. The original version featured natural beaver fur dubbing and saddle hackle for the wing. Pat Dorsey is a Colorado fly fishing guide, commercial fly tyer, and author of quite a few fly fishing books. Churchhill substitutes Pearl Braid for the saddle-hackle webbing (for the emerging wing) used in the original design. I find this fly to be most effective when fished on a swing. The RS-2 is a small nymph, size 18-24, used to imitate small mayflies, callibaetis, blue wing olives, and midges . I believe the main reason for its popularity is that regardless of conditions, place, or time of year, it almost always catches fish.” An RS2 is a must have in any anglers fly box. It can be tied in a variety of colors to imitate a wide array of mayfly mergers. RS2 stands for Rim's Semblance #2. With all the variations you can create using colors, sizes, beads, and materials, you can also get pretty creative with how you tie it. Miracle Midge. Many times sparsely dressed is the rule of the day when it comes to fooling a selective trout feeding on Mayfly emergers. He is a long-time acquaintance and his flies include staple patterns of the South Platte River, usually featuring his signature “Mercury Bead head” added to … Since there is no hackle, they are spread to help keep the fly upright. The Gray RS2 most notably is a delicate, simplistic yet deadly fly during those ultra selective times on the water when the fish are keying on the emergent stage approaching or literally at the surface. The Sparkle Wing RS2 has become a standard pattern here in Colorado. How to Tie: RS2 What You’ll Need Hook Standard Nymph #14- 20 or 200 R Thorax Antron Thread UTC 70 color to match body, olive Tail Dun hackle fibers, use about 8 to 12 strands Wing CDC white or gray Body Thread STEP 1 Start your thread at the front of the hook (a little… OB2Wanchironomie. Baetis nymphs have a slender, dark olive-brown abdomen with darkened wing pads and thrive in tailwaters. Adjust the indicator/bobber to locate the depth in the water column the fish are feeding at.