What Exactly is the Miracle Fly?

Understanding the history and productiveness of this innovative pattern

 

 

 

Ingredients:

Hook: 100ct or 10ct available. One size

Thread: GSP (yellow, green, orange, or white)

Yarn: Bug Shop (12 colors in stock +Bling yarn)

Egg Tube Kit

Super sharp scissors

For details, call the shop @ 870.425.0447.
 

It seems like every five years or so, a new hot fly emerges on the White River Basin fly fishing scene, and it quickly becomes something that we could not imagine living without ever again. There was the Y2K Bug, which made it easier for beginners to catch lots of big fish, and not long after that fly became popular, tungsten-beaded midge pupa patterns were the talk of the river. The next big “thing” in Ozarks fly fishing is going to be the “Miracle Fly”. Although this pattern is not altogether unique, it incorporates new design features that make it far more effective that its predecessors.

Tying the Miracle Fly

Tying this pattern is very simple, as the best size for the egg is relatively large. This means that tiers can utilize an “egg gun” or a simple pen to quickly whip out a bunch of patterns - it is possible to tie three or four dozen of these flies in an hour. The main ingredient consists of egg yarn ordered from the Bug Shop out of California because it sinks more consistently than the other products that are on the market. Almost all the different colors of this yarn will work, but the most natural shades will catch more of the bigger fish. Heavy-wire hooks are preferred by White River Basin guides on almost all of their flies because there are high concentrations of nice fish in these rivers, and even an average trout can straighten a cheap and weak hook. There are few things worse in fly fishing than losing a good fish because of an inferior hook. It hurts so badly because the loss the fish was completely preventable.

The Miracle Fly works so well because of the right size jig head. The primary difference between this pattern and other jig-head eggs is its deliberate sink rate. The fly sinks slowly to make its way down the water column, so the 1/100th ounce heads on the Bubba Nymph hook is key. If the current is deep and needs to get down quicker, add a split-shot to the leader only to adapt to extreme conditions.

Fishing the Miracle Fly

The Miracle Fly is a versatile pattern that can be fished in several ways. At least 50% of strikes occur on the fall which has everything to do with materials used including the Bubba Nymph hook and yarn.

When possible, it is best to be able to see the pattern in the water as it approaches a fish – this is not only exciting, but watching the fish take the fly makes for better hook ups.

Most fly anglers fish unweighted egg patterns below a split-shot and a strike-indicator. This technique does have its time and place, but a jig-head fly will stay on the bottom more effectively than any other type of egg pattern. A jig is designed in such a way that the hook will ride with the point off the bottom – this means that the Miracle Fly will very rarely get hung up, and the hook itself will stay sharp because the point is not in constant contact with hard objects on the bottom of the river.

There is an art to fishing the Miracle Fly, but it is also a pattern that any level of fly angler can use to easily catch more fish. After the fly has had the chance to fully sink, it is still effective to drift the pattern for about five to ten seconds. Then, it is time to make another cast. When the water really gets heavy on the White and Norfork, reset the Miracle Fly deep below a large strike-indicator, and attach a heavy shot to the tippet just above the fly. During most water conditions, though, the weight of the jig alone is more than heavy enough to get the fly down to where it needs to be. Many White River fishermen think that egg imitations only work before and during the spawn, but the fact is: trout will eat an egg all year long. The Miracle Fly is most effective on light to moderate flows; this fly will also work in certain types of water during dead-low conditions.  

Getting started

Blue Ribbon Fly Shop stocks everything needed for tying the Miracle Fly including the Bubba Nymph hooks in either a 100 pack or 12 pack made with Mustad hooks.and also carries Bug Shop Yarn in over 16 colors, the GSP thread, and the tube kits. Stop in the shop for a quick tutorial if you're in the area. 

Some anglers may feel that fishing with an egg pattern tied on a jig-head hook is not a worthy technique because it is not traditional. A Miracle Fly is similar in concept to any other pattern where the weight is attached to the hook, such as a bead head. The only difference is that the weight and design of a jig head will keep the fly on the bottom for the longest amount of time possible. Plus, the fact that the hook rides upward makes for a clean presentation. The Miracle fly is an “ace in the hole” type of pattern because it will produce fish when everything else has failed.

Please stop by or email Blue Ribbon Fly Shop in Mountain Home, Arkansas for more information about tying, purchasing and fishing the Miracle Fly. Be one of the first anglers to try this exact guide pattern.