Mirror Dip

The Mirror Dip is a variant of the Three Dollar Dip and the Serendipity patterns. It's easy to tie and very effective.

Begin with a curved hook (scud-like hook) in the vise and tie on an olive thread. Only proceed about halfway down the hook shank. From here, tie in four strands of mirage/pearl micro flashabou to the top of the hook. Next, tie in a brassie size piece of copper wire - also to the top of the hook. Now take both the micro flashabou and the copper wire - holding both above the hook shank - and tie back until you are into the hook bend.

Pulling somewhat tightly, wrap the strands of micro flashabou with touching wraps to an eye length behind the hook eye. These can slide and separate on you, so holding them tight and near the hook shank can help keep them together. Because the flashabou is very slippery, before removing the material, I will take some wraps backwards over the top to better secure it in place. Once done, you can remove the remaining flashabou. Now, take open wraps of the copper wire - wrapping in the opposite direction from how you tied in the flashabou - continuing up to about a eye length behind the eye. Helicopter the wire until it breaks off.

At this point, you can tie off your olive thread and remove it. Switch to a black thread that you will use to create a pronounced head on the fly. Now tie in a small bunch of trigger point in whitish pearl. You want to tie this in near the center of the bunch on top of the hook shank. Next, pull back the trigger point that is extending over the hook eye backwards to combine with the other bit that was already aimed towards the bend. Make sure both are combined well and sitting on top of the hook shank. Take your scissors and cut the trigger point to a length just short of the middle of your abdomen. Whip finish and remove your thread.

Finally, use UV resin to coat the oversized, black head of the fly. Cure it with your UV torch (flashlight). You are ready to hit the water and give this pattern a try.