RS2

How it's tied

The RS2 is tied on a straight or curved nymph hook, usually in sizes 16 to 24. The body is typically created from fine dubbing in a variety of colors, with gray, black, and olive being some of the most common. A rib of fine wire or thread is sometimes added for segmentation.

One of the defining features of the RS2 is its tail, made from microfibbets or hackle fibers, which simulate the split tail of a mayfly. The wing is often tied using a tuft of Antron or similar synthetic material, which can be left long to imitate an emerging mayfly or trimmed short for a nymph profile, like you can see in the picture above.

The head of the fly is simply the thread used to tie the fly, finished with a whip finish and a dab of head cement for durability.

What it mimics

The RS2 is designed to mimic various stages of mayflies, particularly the nymph and emerger stages. Its slender body, split tail, and pronounced wing can represent many species of mayflies, making it a pattern that can be adapted to local hatches.

Where it's used

The RS2 is commonly used in rivers and streams, particularly during mayfly hatches. It can be fished alone, in tandem with other nymphs, or beneath a dry fly in a dry-dropper setup.