Hot Spot Nymphs Collage

As a beginning fly tier, you will see the pattern index is full of a large array of patterns, most of which tend toward a natural, impressionistic look. The incorporation of a ‘hot spot’ does fly in the face of traditions and for some tiers smacks of an egg pattern, worm pattern or some sort of Jezebel.

This push/pull mental process is for you to sort out and is part of the fun of fly tying and fly fishing. The hot spot of red, orange, blue, chartreuse etc. does add interest to a fly pattern. The hot spot can be pronounced or it can be the subtle variety like say a thread head. Experiment with hot spots at the tail, butt section of abdomen, thorax, thread head or hackle barbs.