The Black Beauty midge originated from Blue Quill Angler fishing guide, Pat Dorsey, distinguished for his creation of the Black Beauty into one of the most noteworthy flies an angler must have for fly fishing in Colorado's tail waters. The Black Beauty is a subsurface wet fly, a favorite larva pattern that represents a Blackfly, Chironomid that is proven to be a zesty hankering for more trout than I can count. I am fond of tying this fundamental fly in a several variations as well as in a small size #18 - #22 hook.
My original encounter with the Black Beauty wasn't until a Fall fishing adventure remembrance of a father and son out on a fishing excursion. These guys simply dropped into the local fly fishing shop and purchased what the shop recommended. When I kindly inquired of their sharing of success, neither one knew what the name of the fly was, but that it was a " little black fly".
Last December, I took my long time fly fishing guide friend, Jon Baiocchi, to one of my fond tail waters here Colorado, the Stagecoach. In preparation of the fishing trip, we invested a good couple of days tying flies. In tying the Black Beauty, I kept in mind the natural insects body shape. Gas bubbles form around the body and at the head giving it a shimmer to length. As the black midge swims to the surface of the water to emerge as an adult, there is a gleam that is given off by the gas of which fish are enticed by. Tying in the fly kitchen from scratch seems to be more appetizing to the trout then purchasing it from the ready made trout deli. At least in my experience.
Jon and I fished at different sections of the river not far from one another and each caught numerous trout, particularly on the Black Beauty. I use the TMC 2487, 2488 hooks #18- 24 and #18-22 curved scud. I use both 8/0 Uni-Thread or 6/0 Uni-Thread, black for the body. For ribbing, silver wire TSW1252. A Cat trick I love is using white wire which has had the trout satisfyingly chomping on this fly as well. For thorax, super fine black dubbing.
The Black Beauty can be an effective fly year round in the tail waters. Every angler should have the Black Beauty in possession of their fly box. See you on the river!
About Cat Toy - Mcfly Brand Shaman, Colorado USA
Cat grew up in Mammoth Lakes, California, next to the wild trout creeks and streams in a quaint ski resort town nestled in the magnificent Southern Sierra Nevada mountain range. She learned to ski at an early age of 3 from her grandparents. Her grandfather would take her and her younger brother fishing to the high alpine lakes and mountain streams. They hiked the spectacular glacier carved mountains blanketed with vibrant wildflowers, tall majestic Jeffery and Bristlecone pines, and deep earthquake faults.
Her family moved to Reno, Nevada for new prospects to explore and college education opportunities. As a young adult, she enjoyed several seasons as a ski instructor at Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe. Shortly thereafter, she took an interest and became a certified Emergency Medical Technician.
The gates dropped and the rumble of 20+ guys racing motocross dirt bikes exploded from the starting line, including Cat. Not just a recreational racer, Cat pursued points in the annual MX West State Championship motocross racing series in Northern Nevada. Cat knows racing motocross to be most adrenaline pumping perfect storm of both physical and mental concentration which is an absolute requirement for the most severe sport on earth. Her swift progression in the male dominant sport kept her competitive for 10 years with multiple trophies and numerous corporate racing sponsors.
As an emergency medical technician, the aspiration to go further in the healthcare field led her into the journey of further studies where she graduated with a minor in Psychology and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Nevada, Reno in 2007. Racing motocross, she said, kept her sane in surviving nursing school.
Cat’s nursing career started in Colorado with experience in psychiatric nursing, post surgical rehabilitation, and as a nursing educator. In addition to channeling her medical expertise, she is also a ski patroller at the pinnacle summit of the Rocky Mountains gracing the slopes of Loveland Ski Area. Like racing motocross, ski patrolling is physically demanding, requires an aptitude of awareness, discipline, and superior public relation skills.
The opportunity to experience fly fishing occurred recently when she was merely handed a rod and reel and left to discern on her own. Cat used her past experiences of life skills to perfect the techniques that are necessary to be a successful fly angler, and her progression rate soared. Experienced fishing buddies, professional guides, and friends were stunned at Cat's expeditious passion to own the skills. As a disciplined fly angler, she changed her approach by analyzing the intricate facets of fly fishing from spontaneous hatches to the most technical presentations required among the ever changing drifts of a trout stream.
Fly fishing can take Cat to some of the most ruggedly beautiful, breathtaking canyons found in Colorado. The near future will unfold as there will be more to come with fly fishing for Cat. There is so much to share, enjoy, and to treasure.