FLYMPH FORUM

The Raccoon (by Skip Morris) - My Favorite "Go-To" Pattern
PostPosted: Thu Oct 16, 2008 11:52 pm
Hook - Daiichi (Sizes 6 and 8 / Model 1710 or 2XL Standard Nymph Hook)
Tungsten Bead Head (Gold) - I mount the bead backwards to partially cover the eye of the hook and put the weight as far forward as possible.
Thread - UNI-Thread (6/0) - Black or Red
Tail - Hungarian Partridge Hackle fibers
Body - Blend of rabbit dubbing and silver Lite Brite dubbing. In this case black rabbit dubbing was used. Skip Morris also recommends using red, pink, yellow, chartreuse, cream, or orange. The body is formed by using a dubbing loop. The rabbit/Lite Brite blend is added to the dubbing loop and twisted. The body should be picked out to make it full and fluffy.
Hackle - Hungarian Partridge feather - the biggest ones you can find.
Head - Tying thread
Tying Instructions: The detailed tying instructions can be found in Skip Morris's book ("Morris on Tying Flies"/ISBN 1-57188-378-9/Pages 98 thru 101) or in his article in "Fly Tyer" magazine (Spring 2002).

The materials called out above are slightly different than Skip uses. Skip's pattern uses grizzle hen-neck hackle for the tail and hackle on this fly. I just like the look of the partridge better.

I have had outstanding luck with this fly. When all else fails I give this pattern a try and it has usually come through for me... Thanks Skip, your fly has given me many successful days on the stream!

Presentation Tips: I recommend using an open loop knot, such as a Duncan Knot, to attach the fly to your tippet. Using this type of knot allows the fly to move around freely at the end of the line and gives a bit more movement than a clinch knot. I use a Duncan Knot almost exclusively these days.

WOW!!!!! WWWAAAYYYYYY cool thread/post.....KILLER flies. You gotta be one of the baddest all-round tyers on this or any other planet Bro. i finally got to meet Skip this year.....in Ellensburg, Washington at the Washington State Fly Fishing Fair, which is actually the FFF Wash. State Council Conclave. He and his wife had dinner (auction night), at the same table with us and others. Really cool guy.....funny too. He and his wife had us crakin' up. Beautiful tyes Ray.

Mark - I am a huge fan of Skip Morris's patterns. They are always well thought out (efficient tying) and most importantly they catch fish. I've never met him or his wife. I only know him though his writtings (books, articles, web). From these, he seems like a very cool guy.

He is.........both of them are. If i remember right his wife Carol Ann is an artist and does the artwork in some of his books. And she co-wrote one with him on Trout Flies for Rivers. So she and Misako had lots to talk about. His website is. http://www.skip-morris-fly-tying.com

Funny you should post the link. I just found his site last week and was thinking of sending him a note to tell him of the success I've had with his pattern. I saw the pattern a number of years ago, when it was first published in a magazine article. I just HAD to tye some up and test them out. Since that time, I've caught a lot of fish (all kinds) on this pattern. Fish it slow and deep. If the line pauses, set the hook!