Favorite Fly: Pass Lake
 Up here in “Brule River Country” no fly box is complete without a good supply of Pass Lake wet flies. Fished tight up along the banks under the bushes, or swung through riffles, the Pass Lake is a favorite of Brook Trout everywhere.
As pictured:
Tail: Golden Pheasant crest
Body: Peacock herl
Rib: Medium Gold Tinsel
Collar: Brown hen soft hackle
Wing: White calf tail
February 2010:
This is a fly I originally started using for Smallmouth Bass, but has quickly worked its way into my trout and steelhead streamer boxes. I tie this one in many color variations, but olive and orange is one of my favorites. This is a quick and easy tie (a favorite theme of mine) and very effective. When tying in different color combos I match the color of the under -tail with the collar.
As pictured:
Hook: Size 2 4xl streamer
Eyes: Medium barbell eyes
Under tail: Orange marabou with complimenting crystal flash.
Tail: Olive Bunny strip
Body: Bunny strip palmered to front
Collar: Orange died Guinea fowl.
March 2009:
“Superior X-legs”
The Superior X-legs and it many variations have been one of the most popular flies for Steelhead on the Brule and surrounding rivers over the past several years, and for good reason. THEY WORK!!! I have caught fish on this fly on just about all of our local rivers and quite a few non- local waters, including the Yellowstone, Madison, Snake, Deschutes and others. It’ an easy pattern to tie, and probably one of the most effective all around nymphs I have used. Originally developed by Duluth fly tier Jim Pollock it has morphed into countless varieties including but not limited to: The Copper-X, Magnum-X, Royal-X, Latex-X and many, many more.
 As pictured:
Hook: Mustad 9671 #8
Tail: Grizzly Brown Marabou
Abdomen: Kaufman’s Brown Stone Fly Dubbing
Thorax: Kaufman’s Brown Stone Fly Dubbing
Rib: Medium Copper Ultra-wire
Bead: Copper
Legs: Medium Brown w/Orange Flake Sili-legs
 Febuary 2009:
Berge Stonefly Nymph
Hook: Tiemco 200R Size #4 or #6
Weight: .025 or .030 wire tied in parallel
down both sides if hook shank (keeps body flat)
Tail: Brown Goose Biot
Underbody: Brown Furry Foam
Abdomen: Amber vinyl nymph rib
Legs: Pheasant “Church Feather”
Wing Case: Brown Swiss Straw
Eyes: Small “Mono Eyes”
Antennae: Brown Goose Biot
This fly is an absolute must if you fish any streams with a population of stoneflies. Developed by Dick Berge, it is in my opinion the very best large stonefly pattern ever tied!! Fish it on a dead drift near the bottom and it will produce. I favor this pattern in the late winter and spring months.
January 2009:
Quick Steelhead Prince Nymph
 As pictured:
Mustad 9671 #8
Tail: Brown mini marabou
Body: Ultra-bright peacock dubbing
Rib: Pearl holographic tinsel
Hackle: Brown hen
Wing case: White goose biot
Bead: 3/16 gold
Legs: Yellow and black Sili Legs
This version of the Prince Nymph has been a killer for me on Brule River and North Shore steelhead over the past couple of years, particularly in the fall. Don’t leave home without a few in your box!!
Damian
December 2008:
The Furburger
The Furburger is a streamer I started tying about five years ago for the big rivers of Montana. Since, it has been used by me and friends everywhere from the Arctic Circle to Patagonia with pretty good success! The original was tied in yellow and brown and is still the color combo I use most, but other combinations certainly have their place in my fly box.
As pictured
Hook: #4 Tiemco 5263
Tail: Brown Marabou
Body: Yellow Furry Foam—Split and cut into a ¼” strip and palmered
Rib: Medium Copper Ultra Wire—used to hold down the wing
Wing: Natural Mink strip tied Matuka Style
Collar: Natural Mink Strip—Palmered
Hackle: Yellow Died Guinea Fowl
Try some different color combos, but it’s the Mink that makes it a Furburger!
Tight lines,
Damian
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