We love fishing mouse flies for trout whenever possible. However, not all mouse patterns are created equal, and today our buddy Stuart Foxall presents us with a great step by step on how to tie one of the most clever mouse patterns of all time, Kevin Price’s Five O’Clock Shadow.
Enjoy!
Price’s Five O’Clock Shadow – Tying Instructions
The 5 o’clock shadow is my favorite mouse pattern. It’s design is pure genius coming from one of the fishiest guys I have had the pleasure to meet, Kevin Price (aka KP), former guide at Alaska West.
You can tell that KP put a lot of thought into the design, solving some of the problems that most mouse patterns tend to exhibit. Its hollow back design makes it really easy to cast, and anybody who has mouse fished for trout knows that accurate casting is important! Its collapsible foam means it doesn’t get “bumped” as often as most foam or deer hair patterns. It’s also quick and easy to tie, which makes a lot of sense if you’re going to be putting a few into the bushes from time to time as you fish from a boat. Fortune definitely favors the brave when mouse fishing!
Step 1: Start out with a small waddington shank. This is a 20mm long (KP used a longish shank hook and cut off the hook after the fly had been tied).Step 2: Tie in a stinger loop of wire, and double over along the shank for strength. Don’t make the loop too long as this may result in deeply hooked fish. Also use a small hook for the safety of the fish.Step 3: Trim the fur of a length of rabbit zonker and tie it on top of the shank as a tail. Then, tie two strips of 2mm thick foam on either side of the shank at the back.Step 4: Cover the body with some straggle fritz (or polar chenille).Step 5: Tie in a small clump of spun deer hair. This will help the foam sides from collapsing in the river current.Step 6: Tie in loose ends of the foam to create a love heart shape to the body. Leave enough room at the front of the shank for more materials.Step 7: Tie in some barred rubber legs madam-X style. I’ve used yellow here just to show up more, but beige and black would be better.Step 8: Tie in another small clump of spun deer hair to help push more water.Step 9: Tie in a few strands of midge flash as whiskers.Step 10: Tie in a small block of black foam followed by a smaller block of yellow 2mm thick foam to form a head. This not only helps you see your fly in the water (acting as a sighter), but also helps push some water and make that all important “wake!”Step 11: Tie off your fly at the head, and voila, you have your finished fly.
As you can see,there are probably a few patterns more mouse looking than this. However, I don’t know of one that is more effective and gets as many positive hook ups. For added fish attraction just say “Eeek.. Eeeek…Eeeeeeek!” during the retrieve. This technique never fails!!!!!
