The Mr. Rapidan Skater is very effective in two entirely different situations. First it is a great match for the Hexagenia mayflies. When the bass are taking the adults on the surface, I dress it with dry fly floatant and go one on one with the feeding bass.
When I see splashy riseforms I place a Mr. Rapidan Olive Soft Hackle size 10 on a 3-ft dropper below it. This way I am catching those bass feeding on both the emergers and the drys.
The second situation where this fly brings me great fishing is when I see bass jumping to feed on adult dragonflies and damselflies. I position myself up and across stream from where I see the bass jumping and dance the Mr. Rapidan Skater across them. This is great fund and it is very effective.
Late August and all through September is mostly likely when the Hexagenia hatch occurs. I call this a very “moody” hatch as some evenings you will see a heavy hatch and then you might not see hardly any the next evening. I keep trying so that I am not missing out on this hatch.
Tying the Mr. Rapidan Skater
Hook: Mustad 9672, size 8
Thread: Brown 3/0 Prewaxed Monocord
Body: Quill Gordon Fly Rite dubbing
Wing: Yellow calftail
Tail: Brown calftail
Rear Hackle: Grizzly Saddle Hackle (dry)
Front Hackle: Brown Saddle (dry)
Cover hook shank with thread and coat with cement. Tie in tail so it is ½ inch long and trim excess butts. Tie in grizzly hackle by the tip over hook bend. Apply dubbing to thread and build a neat body over the rear 2/3 of the body. Wind hackle over rear 2/3 of body and tie off and trim extra. Tie in wings on each side about 3/4 inch long ½ inch behind eye so they lie flat on each side, tie off calf tail and trim excess. Tie in two brown saddle hackles ½ inch behind hook eye with dull side of hackle facing up. Wind each hackle separately to hook eye. Tie off and trim extra. Whip finish and apply cement.
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