Fly of the Month - April 2010

Ozark Prince

Hook-Size #14 Mustad 3906 (or 3906B) or equivalent
Thread-8/0 olive Uni-Thread
Bead-7/64" or 1/8" gold bead
Tail-Golden Pheasant fibers
Rib-gold Ultra Wire (brassie size)
Body-Peacock Herl
Wings-white Goose Biots
Hackle-Partridge feather   

1. After putting bead on hook and starting thread, tie in an ample amount of Golden Pheasant fibers (10 to 12) about the same length as the body.   

2. Tie in gold wire for rib and 2-3 strands of Peacock herl. Twist herl into a rope and wrap body.  Counter wrap rib. 

3. Tie in goose biots in a "V" shape on top of body to about the middle of the tail.
  
4. Tie in partridge feather and wrap as hackle. Whip finish.    

In eastern Pennsylvania the state stocked rainbows loved to hit a standard Prince Nymph. When I came here I thought these stocked rainbows would do the same. They didn't. The orange in the tail of the Ozark Prince and the soft hackle have made Ozark trout more cooperative. The fly fished well in December, January and February. I swing this pattern like a wet fly or soft hackle. When the fly is straight downstream in front of me, I always give it about 8 sharp "Figure 8" strips before I re-cast. This often triggers a strike.

Mark Selvocki

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