FLY BOX: Shot Glass Baetis

Intro

Shea Gunkel, owner of Shea Gunkel Flies and an Umpqua Feather Merchants Signature Tyer, has a couple of patterns that are absolutely clutch in western tailwaters. The Shot Glass Baetis and its sister, the Shot Glass Emerger, are a couple of must-have patterns when fishing baetis hatches.

These two flies are nearly identical, with the exception of the tail. The Baetis has a short tail, similar to a JuJu Baetis, and is available in a myriad of colors. The Emerger has two long tails, similar to a Loopwing RS2, and is only available in the Dun color. While you can get more variety out of the Shot Glass Baetis, I’ve personally had the most luck with the Shot Glass Emerger. Tailwater trout can’t seem to get enough of the thing.

“The Shotglass Baetis was originally tied as a mayfly emerger, with a clear glass bead tied into the thorax to represent the gastric bubble they ride to the surface. This fly can also be tied with tungsten or brass beads to absolutely wreck the entire water column. Tied in every color imaginable to represent your local hatch, this is the one you need to have tied on somewhere in your rig, it just looks like fish food. My boat boxes and wade packs are stuffed with every color an weight option imaginable.”
— Shea Gunkel

Applications

CATEGORY: Nymph - Baetis

TARGET SPECIES: Trout

FISHING THE BAETIS

Similar to Charlie Craven’s Jujubaetis, the Shot Glass Baetis can be fished all throughout the water column. Gunkel ties three variations of the pattern: one with a glass bead, one with a brass bead, and another with a tungsten bead. The glass bead version has been the most productive for me, best fished either deep in slow pools or mid-column off a tag. In theory, the tungsten bead version sounds like a killer. In the past, I’ve had lots of luck with a pattern from Solitude Fly Co. named the Tungsten Bruised Baetis, a flashy little baetis nymph with a heavy bead. The Shot Glass Baetis could easily replace it.

FISHING THE EMERGER

The Shot Glass Emerger is a top of the column killer. You can fish this pattern everywhere from the surface film to the middle of the water column, but the sweet spot is within 2 ft. of the surface. While this bug was designed to imitate baetis hatches, it will still produce during midge hatches - possibly just because it’s something different and catches the attention of trout that see the same bugs and flies all day long. I like fishing this pattern off a tag 18”-24” above a larger attractor fly like a Fire Starter Jig.

VIDEO: Jon Kleis

About the Tyer

Shea Gunkel, Shea Gunkel Flies / Umpqua Feather Merchants

I am a Colorado native that has spent decades developing, tying and fishing my flies for some of the worlds most selective trout.

My flies are now available for direct purchase and shipping right to your home or office.  Whether you need a few flies for a weekend excursion or you are looking for a custom box, Shea Gunkel Flies has you covered.

(via SheaGunkel.com )

Material List - Shot Glass Baetis (White)

  • HOOK: Tiemco 2499SP-BL (#14 - #18)

  • THREAD #1: UTC 70 (White)

  • THREAD #2: 14/0 Veevus (Black)

  • TAIL: Natural India Hen Back

  • RIB: Superhair (Black)

  • THORAX: Brass Bead (Small; Red)

  • CASING #1: Medium Pearl Flashback

  • CASING #2: Fluorofibre (White)

  • LEGS: Fluorofibre (White)

  • GLUE: Loon UV Fly Finish (Thick)

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