The RS 2 is a small delicate pattern that simulates a mayfly or midge insect. It is most commonly used trailing behind a small dry fly as a dropper. It will sink about 1 to 4 inches below the surface. Set up if you see a rise anywhere near the dry fly. This fly works best in a spring creek or tailwater fishery. This is one more you can add to your box if you are going to the Green River next month. This is a very simple fly to tie. The directions are written in detail.
HOOK: TMC 101 sizes 16–20. Crimp barb.
THREAD: Gray 8/0, 12/0 for a small hooks. Attached 1/3 back on shank. Thread wraps to 2/3 back on shank.
TAIL: Muskrat guard hairs Hold tips of approximately 5–8 hairs. Pull fuzzy under fur toward hide. Slip scissors down shaft of guard hairs, then cut near hide. Lay on top of shank, tips extending about hook length beyond shank. Make five touching wraps of thread toward rear of shank. Slowly and carefully using tips of scissors, cut out all but two of the thicker longer guard hairs near shank. If they are uneven, pull the shorter to the rear using pliers, then slowly pull guard hair forward so that the tales equals shank length. Make five more touching thread wraps forward. Raise butt ends and cut near shank. Tie down butt stubs.
BODY: Muskrat under fur. Cut small chunk from very close to hide. Remove any guard hairs. Make dubbing by pulling fibers apart and putting back together many times forming a loose homogeneous fuzzball. Apply very small amount of dubbing to thread. Wrap thread to rear of shank. Dub a narrow tapered body forward to one eye length behind eye. Trim stray hairs close to body.
WING: CDC gray. Select two similar sized feathers, one for size 20 hooks. Lay on top of one another with curves matching. Holding onto tips, stroke, other barbs in opposite direction. Lay on top of shank with tips extending to rear of hook. Tie and place with 4 touching wraps backward. Holding tips upward, pull stem forward until tips are mid shank. DO THIS SLOWLY. Make four more thread wraps to secure. Cut stem close to thread wraps. NOTE: Save feather for more flies.
THORAX AND HEAD: Muskrat under fur. Apply very small amount of dubbing to thread. Make one or two wraps backward onto wing so it ends up 2/5 back on shank. Dub forward in one or two wraps. Remove any extra dubbing. Whip finish forming head. Cut thread. Cut short any stray hair fibers.
Posted on February 16th, 2025
