RS2

[Jackson Hoose]

Hey guys,  Ive been aware of this fly since I started fly fishing.  A fella who helped me out in the beginning was a huge fan of the RS2.  Despite this fact i've never fished one.  Ive looked around a wee bit and it seems like there are alot of variations on the pattern.  Anyone here fish these alot?  i know theyre very popular out west.  Just tied a few cream ones in size 16 and a few grey in size 18.  Basically sticking to the original recipe.

What are your favorite variations of this pattern?  Is there a particular time that they work best?  A particular color scheme that works best?

[Rich Strolis]

Use them a lot.  Standard pattern or with a synthetic wing like z-lon or the like.  The best colors for me are olive, olive brown, gray and brown.  You can even add a small glass bead too.  I think I remember you said you fish the Swift often, correct?   Killer fly up there for olives, very versatile pattern too as it can be fished as an emerger or a nymph deep.  Crazy not to have an array of these in sizes 16-24 in your boxes.   

[Mark Hanes]

Here is an interesting article about the flies designer i just found.  Thought you guys might enjoy.  Funny thing it is published today.

http://www.denverpost.com/sports/ci_14320662?source=rss

[Chad Gauerke]

Check out this video from my good friend Juan.  Here he ties the sparkle wing RS2. 
http://hopperjuan.blogspot.com/

[Jackson Hoose]

thanks for the link Chad.  interesting variation.  He also demonstrates a nice technique for splitting the tails there.

[Tim Barker]

Jackson Hoose,

I tie Rim Chung's pattern using mink for the abdomen in shades of olive, dun and tan,using a CDC oil puff for the wing and the traditional Moose for the split tails.  I also use a glass bead for the head, either metallic or clear. I tie them in #18 -# #22 on TMC 101 hooks. They continue to hammer Trout on ALL the rivers I fish in the West...

This is a very good pattern!

PT/TB

[Todd Oishi]

Thanks for posting the link to the video Chad! Juan gives a great explanation of how he ties this pattern.

Cheers,
Todd

[Garrett Perdick]

If you google the RS2, you can find step by step instructions from Rim Chung himself.  I printed these out and RS2's are in the queue for my tying desk at home, just haven't gotten around to them yet.  He also presents popular color combos on the page as well.

[Kevin Compton]

Here are some of the material selections I have seen or used for the RS2:

Tungstenheads.

Hooks: TMC 2488 & 2488H, 2499SP-BL, 2487BL; Dohiku Dry Fly hook #18, Dohiku Grub/Scud hook #18; Gamakatsu BL Midge hook #26; Varivas S-2000 (de-barbed) #18-22. The last hook has a micro barb and an extended Sproat (almost Limerick) Bend, a long spear, and a very strong fine wire.

Tails: Microfibetts; Coq de Leon spade hackle fibers; rooster saddle spade fibers; Micro-Zelon; natural dun CDC fibers.

Body: Colors -- black, grey, olives, brown, brown-olive. Muskrat, Beaver; Arizona's Micro-Sheen Dubbing, natural silk dubbings (esp. for the smaller sizes); thread (Benecchi 12/0; Hends Synton; Gudebrod 10/0); Hends Body Quill thread (over white thread); DMC embroidery floss; stripped/dyed peacock herl.

Wing: Tuft from the base of a medium dun hen saddle; pheasant/partridge aftershaft feather; muskrat fur, CDC; Zelon/Darlon; Benecchi's Iridescent Threads.

 

[Todd Oishi]

WOW, thanks for taking the time to provide such a detailed response Kevin! I'll have to add a few of those to my fly boxes, and try them on our local rivers and streams.