HOT DOG CADDIS
Learn to tie Hogan Brown’s Hot Dog Caddis—an easy, versatile fly perfect for caddis hatches. Watch this step-by-step fly tying video with tips for beginners & pros.
BLACK BALLOON NYMPH
DESCRIPTION
In this tutorial, Hogan Brown ties the Black Balloon PMD, a simple, fast-sinking mayfly nymph that pays homage to Andy Burke’s classic HBI pattern. Designed as a true guide fly, this pattern is quick to tie, durable, and deadly effective for PMDs, Baetis, and other small mayflies.
Hogan walks step-by-step through the tie, sharing tips on proportion, taper, and how to craft the fly’s namesake black balloon wing case. With its buggy profile, subtle flash, and natural coloration, the Black Balloon PMD is a proven producer from freestones to tailwaters.
MATERIALS
| Hook | TFS 555 Ahrex Mini Jig Hook – #18 |
|
Bead |
Instajig – matched to hook size (larger for faster sink rate) |
|
Thread |
Rusty Dun Veevus 14/0 or equivalent (match thread color to dubbing) |
|
Tail/Legs |
Gold Wood Duck fibers |
|
Flash |
Krystal Flash - Root Beer |
|
Rib |
Small Copper Wire |
|
Dubbing |
Hairline Dubbin – Cinnamon Caddis (PMD color) |
|
Wing Case |
Strip of black balloon |
|
Wing Accent |
One strand of Krystal Flash on each side |
