Custom Flies

Living in Bozeman, and having a cabin near Cooke City since the late 1960s, I’ve grown up fishing the headwaters of the Yellowstone River, but Parks' Fly Shop's amazing selection of foam terrestrials has made it virtually a new experience in the last couple of years. I’ve checked out most of the fly shops in Bozeman and Livingston, and none have the selection of unusual styles and colors found at Parks’. The cutthroats can’t resist them.

In addition to flies from River Run, Umpqua Feather Merchants (through Orvis), Rainy's, and Montana Fly Company, we are quite proud of our selection of custom fly patterns and designing and tying these patterns is a critical part of our business. Indeed, Parks' Fly Shop began as Merton Parks' custom fly tying business in the late 1940s, and only expanded to a shop in 1953. Over the last several years, our selection of custom flies has actually been increasing steadily, even though imported patterns are generally more profitable. There are times when flies tied identically for shops in California and New York just aren't good enough, and our patterns fill this gap. Some match insects found only in our area, some are general patterns that have either lost popularity or have not yet become popular, and others are simply designed to look just a little bit different than the flies fish commonly see, important on some of the heavily-pressured streams where we fish and guide.

Most of our custom fly patterns are produced in-house by Head Guide Walter Wiese or by Gardiner resident (and Gardner River Guru) Matt Minch. Ben Jewell and Doug Korn are taking on steadily increasing roles, as well. Richard Parks still ties a handful of his classic dry fly patterns, but most of his tying these days is on a custom basis. Prices for most of the following flies are $2.25 apiece, while Richard's flies are $3.00 apiece. Some more complicated designs are more, while simple flies like San Juan Worms are less. Shipping is free on fly orders of $50 or more.

We are willing to modify sizes/colors/components of most of the following flies to suit your needs on a custom fly tying basis. Sometimes we can turn around flies the same day you make a request (i.e. San Juan Worms, Beetles). If you'd like us to do something special for you, please let us know what it is. Who knows, the change might make it into our display on its own merits. In general, we will want to tie in lots of no less than a dozen.

We are also willing to custom-tie almost any pattern you're interested in buying, especially in the off-season. Contact us for specifics. In general, freshwater trout flies, steelhead flies, and carp/gar/weird fish flies are going to be easier for us to custom produce than saltwater, bass, and pike flies.

PFS Foam Beetles	Ben's Bi-Color Ants	Wiese's GFAs
Our foam beetle features a somewhat fatter profile than most and is available in olive and brown in addition to the common black. #14-18. Other colors/sizes/legged versions/etc. available on request.	#16-18, also available as a beadhead sinking version in #16. When the fish won't take a hopper, try an ant. When they're super finicky, go for the sinking ant.	Our best hopper pattern over the last several seasons, GFAs are available in four colors and sizes from #8-12. Other thread underbody/foam/wing/leg combinations available on request.
Wiese's Chunky Chernobyls	Lamar River Chernobyls	Foam-Meister
Last season the Chubby Chernobyl hopper took the Yellowstone by storm. We hate it for reasons having nothing to do with its fish-catching qualities. This is W. Wiese's version, with improved visibility, floatation, and hooking. Available in Tan, Gold, and Cicada color combinations, and sizes #8-12 depending on color.	Our version of the Chernobyl Ant/Hopper is available in half a dozen color combinations including the above cinnamon and green, and in sizes #8-12. Available in whatever top foam/bottom foam/leg color you desire by request.	An excellent attractor dry fly carrying the profile of large caddis and medium-sized stoneflies, coupled with fishy peacock herl. #10.
PFS Letort Hopper Variations	Doug's Hen Moth	Palmered CDC White Miller
We've doubled our color selection of Letort variants and swapped the turkey underwing for a synthetic for improved durability. We've also moved production of these to MFC, as Matt Minch was unable to keep up with demand. Available in new colors black and golden brown and continuing colors natural and green, #10-14.	Based on the caddis below. Most commercial Spruce Moth patterns ride too high for our taste. This one floats flush in the film or can even be fished just subsurface. Try it after the fish have been seeing 10,000 commercial spruce moths, or just cut to the chase and use it first. #14	Our top dry fly for the critical pale caddis found on the Firehole and to a lesser extent the Gibbon and Madison. This pattern features an amber/olive underbody palmered with white CDC. #14.
PFS X-Caddis	Nectopsyche Caddis Cripple	Doug's Drowned Pheasant Caddis
We don't like most commercial X-Caddis. They're too long and their bodies are too slim. Tan and olive, #14-16.	This fly gives us a full gamut for the critical White Miller Caddis common on the Firehole, from pupa to cripple. The original pattern is by Blue Ribbon Flies in W. Yellowstone. #14	A very sparse pattern designed to be fished in the film as a cripple or emerger. Also works as a wet fly. #14-18
Doug's Tweeter Caddis/Sally	Wiese's Prom Queen Salmonfly	Parks' Salmonfly
A high-riding caddis pattern perfect for the Yellowstone and many of our small creeks, where floatation is important. The bright green shuck is a strike trigger and egg sack. #14-16. Also available in #16 Yellow Sally with a red shuck/egg sack.	Our top-selling and top-producing Salmonfly over the last three seasons. The yarn extended body wiggles delectably while the foam head ensures floatation (albeit low floatation). Golden Stone also available.	Developed by Merton Parks in 1954, this was the first of the "Improved" Sofa Pillows. Bucktail wing and tail for durability, and should be fished damp in the film as well as drenched in floatant floating high. #4-8.
Dave's Soda Fountain Parachute	Ben's Slough Creek Spinners	PFS Viz-a-Dun
The Green Drakes in the Lamar Drainage are seldom truly green, with olive-gray more common. This fly matches most of them, as well as BWO and other gray-olive mayflies. #12-20. Slight color variations and an emerger version forthcoming in 2010	Available in #12-14 Gray Drake (pictured) and #12-14 Rusty Green Drake. Dressed very sparse and very effective in the Lamar drainage when fished wet behind a dun pattern.	Doug's version of the John Barr pattern, tied with more subtle wing material and longer hackle and tails. #16 PMD and #18 BWO.
Ben's Biot Midge
An excellent all-around dry midge, this is a critical fly to have on late August and September mornings in the Lamar drainage. One customer caught his largest-ever cutthroat last year on one of the first pre-production versions of this fly.

Parks' Fly Shop and Local Custom Wet Flies, Soft Hackles, and Emergers

Royal Coachman Wet	Wiese's Glasshead PT Soft Hackle	Black & Peacock Soft Hackle
An old classic that still works, especially for brook trout in ponds and rainbows in fast riffles. #14.	The first fly W. Wiese developed for the Yellowstone area and by far our most consistent fly on the Firehole River, where it accounts for 50% or more of our fish during non-hatch situations (and many during hatches). Fish it on the swing or dead-drift. #14-16	An excellent caddis imitation and like candy for brook trout in beaver ponds. #12-16. Available in larger sizes by request.
Hare's Ear Soft Hackle	Olive & Badger Soft Hackle	White Miller Soft Hackle
Another classic, one we often fish behind the BH Soft Hackle PT or as a second choice behind a massive streamer. #12-16. Available in larger sizes, different colors, with beads, etc. by request.	Imitates both emerging caddis and spent/crippled Baetis mayflies. #16 dry fly hook so it'll float in the film if you want it to.	The pupa of the CDC White Miller above. Excellent fished as a dropper behind the dry, especially when you allow both to swing out at the end of a dead-drift. Fish behind a BH Prince or Glasshead PT just prior to hatches. #14.
Neu Cowdung	Neu Light Cahill	Don's Caddis Emerger, Olive
The old Cowdung is a fly Matt Minch swears by, probably imitating both caddis and the small olive stoneflies active in early summer. This version is more durable. #12.	The original Light Cahill wet imitated both PMD and Nectopsyche caddis. This one will do the same, and we also use it as a drowned Spruce Moth in August. #14.	This is a simple pupa pattern that really knocked them dead this spring during the Mother's Day Caddis hatch. Tan also available. #14-16.
Partridge and Orange	Partridge and Yellow	Partridge and Chartreuse
The old classic, tied with brown wild partridge. #14.	Tied with wild gray partridge. A good choice when PMDs or Yellow Sallies are out. #14.	Ever notice that some caddis pupae are mint green? Tied with brown wild partridge. #14.
Doug's Soft Hackles	Doug's Golden Stone Soft Hackle	Wiese's Drowned Sally Softy
Drift this one in the film during Baetis emergences. #18. Also available in #16 PMD.	Designed primarily as a trailer for a streamer and for fall-run browns. #10.	With a red underbody and tail and fuzzy synthetic "hair" hackle, this fly is an excellent choice when fished behind a dry Sally or attractor dry, especially below riffles where female Sallies are caught while egglaying. Available through other shops from MFC. #16.

Parks' Fly Shop Custom and Local Nymphs

Matt's Bead, Hare, and Copper	Matt's Rusty Hare & Copper	Copper Matt
It's difficult to overstate how effective this simple New Zealand-style nymph is. It has been our most-productive fall brown fly for five seasons, works for trout from coast to coast and as far away as NZ and Patagonia, and has also taken steelhead and even carp. Available through other shops through MFC. #10-18.	An alternate color version of the "BHC," especially effective in tannic water. #12.	The BHC and the Copper John have babies. The body is tightly-ribbed with heavy copper wire. An excellent caddis pupa imitation and especially beloved by rainbows. #12-14. (#16 for 2010.)
Matt's New Nymph	Matt's Skinny Bugger Damsel/Leech	Matt's Herl Scud
Yes it's bizarre, yes it works. The #16 was our top nymph on floats in 2008 while #12-14 are excellent on the Yellowstone in the spring, both dead-drifted and fished on the swing or behind a streamer. #12-18.	Matt's damsel/leech. Try it in Trout Lake or any of the other area stillwaters. Available in #8-10 Olive, #8-10 black.	A variation of Matt's more complex Philo-Herl Shrimp featured in numerous publications over the years. Hyper-effective in all area stillwaters and the Paradise Valley Creeks, and a changeup on more-distant tailwaters since it doesn't look like most scuds. #12-16.
Matt's Golden Stone	Matt's Black Stone	Wiese's Four Feathers
Another of Matt's deceptively simple nymphs, this one too has caught trout coast to coast (including some of the rare giant sea-run variety for W. Wiese). A must have before and during the early summer stonefly emergences and in the fall. #8-12.	The black version of Matt's stone, this one is even more effective in dirty water and for fall-run browns. Some easterners use it as a hellgrammite imitation, and can also be stripped back after the dead-drift. #4-8.	Walter's second fly designed for the Yellowstone Area and getting more popular coast to coast. An excellent "change up" for a BH Prince in the spring or a Pheasant Tail in midsummer. #12-18 Natural (pictured). Available through other shops through MFC.
Wiese's Shimmer Nymphs	Wiese's Gray Glass Caddis	Wiese's Hula Princess
A mash-up of the Pheasant Tail, Lightning Bug, and Copper John. Hyper-durable and hyper-effective. Getting popular on the Lower Madison as well as our area, and available through other shops from MFC. The Rust version was our top-selling small nymph in both 2007 and 2008. #16-20 BWO/Brown (pictured), #14-18 Rust/PMD, #16-18 Black, #16 Chartreuse. Other colors/sizes by request.	Never a first-choice but one of those flies that can save the day. If nothing is happening in the Lamar drainage in the afternoon, try dead-drifting one of these in the deepest pools. The largest fish we've ever seen in Soda Butte (estimated at 24 inches) took one of these during a pounding downpour in 2002. Available in other colors by request.	Our "Coachman Trude Nymph," which combines the color tones of a BH Prince with the profile of a caddis larva. In small sizes it makes an excellent dropper under a dry, while in large sizes it works great fished deep. Gaining popularity on the Missouri as well as in our area. Available through other shops through MFC. #12-16. Other wing/rib/head color combinations available by request.
Wiese's Diamond Rockworm	Wiese's Turkey Vac	Carey Special
Imitates the larval form of the Rhyacophila caddis. A good choice as a top nymph in a double nymph rig since it sinks fast and the bright colors attract curious fish. #12-14.	This is a modification of the original Shop Vac nymph, with mottled turkey replacing the pheasant tail abdomen and a peacock herl head for better imitation of caddis. #16.	A traditional nymph/wet that still drives the fish nuts, especially in stillwaters like the Swan Lake Flat Sloughs and Trout Lake. #10.
$3 Dip	Doug's SCHWAPF Caddis	Rubberleg Bead, Hare, & Copper
Original by Blue Ribbon Flies. A favorite on the Firehole and Madison, and also works well in July and August on the Gardner. Non-bead and other versions available by request. #14-16	Some of Doug's most productive nymphs. Similar in profile to the old Tellico but with a hair shellback for durability. Generally a caddis imitation, but the Bright Olive can match small olive stones, as well. Available in #14-16 Tan, #14-16 Olive, and #14 Bright Olive.	Like the name states. Also has a darker, flashy head. Preproduction versions worked well for spring-run rainbows. #12.
Doug's Pogos	Doug's Holiday Stones	Brindle Girdle Bug, Coffee
Doug's version of the floating nymph. Can be fished in the film or as an "off the bottom" trailer to a beadhead. #16 Rust/PMD and #18 Olive/BWO.	A more precise stone than Matt's stones, this fly and its black cousin produced well last season on the Yellowstone. #8-10 Golden and #6 Black.	A standard Girdle Bug/Flexi Stone type, but tied in-house. Try it this fall for Gardner or Madison browns. #6.
Zebra Midge	Miracle Nymph	WD-40
The standard tied PFS-style. #18. Other sizes/colors available on short notice by request.	The standard tied PFS-style. Others sizes/colors available on short notice by request.	The standard tied PFS-style.
San Juan Worm
#12. Also available in pink, dark brown, and worm brown. Other colors/sizes by request (these are fast to tie).

Parks' Fly Shop Custom and Local Streamers

Matt's Bully Bugger	Matt's Joffe Jewel	Matt's Perch Candy
Designed to imitate the small sculpin-like fish native to the South Island of New Zealand, this small, heavily mottled and speckled bugger has found a place here, as well. A great "second chance" fly behind a much larger streamer. Available in Tan (pictured) and Chocolate, #10-12.	The Joffe Jewel is an absolute must have pattern if you're fishing for brook trout in any area stillwaters, especially its namesake lake. Also effective for panfish. Available in larger sizes (for lake trout and fall browns) from W. Wiese by request. #10-12.	The Perch Candy is the only warmwater fly we stock and the only one Matt uses. It has taken everything from bluegill and perch to carp and pike. Also a sneaky changeup fly in area stillwaters, where it has been known to bring large rainbows. #10
Matt's Sparkle Bugger	Wiese's PT-Bugger	PFS Sculpins
Unlike our PFS buggers, Matt ties his Sparkle Buggers very slim and sparse, making them more leech-like and more interesting to spooky fish. A good choice in Fawn Lake, where it has taken brook trout well beyond 20 inches. #6-12. Other colors available upon request.	Originally developed as a bugger suggesting crayfish and sculpins for the White River on the Missouri/Arkansas border, where the first two were both lost to monster browns at night. A top streamer on the Yellowstone and a great choice anytime a dead-drifted streamer is desired as it rides upside-down and somewhat weedless. Popular elsewhere for smallmouth bass. Available from other shops from MFC. #4-6, but can be tied larger or smaller by request.	Available in three colors: tan, olive, and golden brown (pictured), all #2. These cast and move better than most woolhead sculpins due to the synthetic material they're made from.
PFS Fat-Tail Bugger
The name says it all. Our buggers maintain a much meatier-profile when the tail is wet, due to very robust tails. As such, they are better baitfish imitations than leeches. Available in Olive and Black (pictured), Black, Olive, Brown, and White (forthcoming), all #4-10. Beadheads, other colors, larger versions, etc. available on request.

Contact Information
Phone:	(406) 848-7314
Address:	PO Box 196 202 Second Street South (US-89) Gardiner, MT 59030
E-Mail:	Richard Parks, Owner Walter Wiese, Head Guide
Facebook:	Search "Parks Fly Shop and Guide Service"