When it comes to fly tying, one of the principle problems, especially for commercial tyers, is something Solomon, reputed to be a pretty bright guy, once penned:

The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. (Ecclesiastes 1:9)

When I first saw Mike Mercer’s Tungsten Bead (TB) Glint Nymph, it was easy to assume he’d ‘been there, done that.’  Of course, since I tend to avoid tungsten beads in most of my fly tying, primarily due to the cost, there was already a bias, of sorts, at work.  However, being something of a fan of Mercer’s patterns and having known the guy for over twenty years now, I was willing to give it a closer examination.  What I realized is that there are several different levels or ‘themes’ going on with this pattern.

Who Is Mike Mercer?

As I have noted in my reviews of several of his other fly patterns and his book, Creative Fly Tying (see links below), Mike Mercer is a devoted family man who has worked for The Fly Shop in Redding, California for over 30 years at this point.  Starting as a young guide, he became the retail store manager, and now serves as a travel expert.  Having fished throughout the American West, Alaska, Chile, Christmas Island, the Bahamas, Mexico, Belize, Honduras, Kamchatka (Russia), Argentina, and Canada, Mike has deflated the egos of more than a few dilettantes who mistook his quiet spoken nature for a lack of intensity while angling.

A standing room only lecturer at flyfishing shows, besides his aforementioned book, Mercer has had articles published or been cited in nearly every flyfishing magazine on the newsstand.  He has been a fly designer for Umpqua Feather Merchants for longer than I can remember at the moment; with something like 41 patterns, plus variations, and his own line of dubbing in their current catalog.  Mike is also one of the ‘pioneers’ of “Epoxy back” or “Poxyback” flies.  In short, he’s one of those quiet, unassuming, unremarkable looking guys, when it comes to skill and/or knowledge on the water or at the vise, who will, without trying or consciously doing so, tend to put many of us in the shade if we aren’t ‘on our game’ – or even when we are.

You Said “Themes?”

I suppose the first  and (probably) most prominent ‘theme’ inherent to Mercer’s TB Glint Nymph is one espoused by Gary LaFontaine and one Mike has long referenced in his tying.  Called “triggers,” the basic concept is that each pattern should have one or more attributes which stimulate a fish to strike.  So strong is his belief in the concept that he even created a series of popular nymph patterns around it.  Referred to as his “Trigger Nymphs,” there is an entire chapter in Creative Fly Tying dedicated specifically to the PMD Trigger Nymph, with illustrations and discussion of the rest of the series, including the PMD Trigger Nymph, Callibaetis Trigger Nymph, the Trigger Caddis, Green Drake Trigger Nymph, Hex Trigger Nymph, and Peacock Trigger Nymph.

(If you don’t have Mike’s book – yet – and want to read about his Trigger series, a brief discussion, with illustrations, can be found here…  http://stevenojai.tripod.com/triggernym.htm  )

With regard to the TB Glint Nymph, the most obvious ‘trigger’ is the ‘glint’ created by both the holographic tinsel 'abdomen' and the epoxy back with the Flashabou stripe.  While we’ll get into the complete recipe shortly, let me take a moment to clarify some, potential ‘confusion’ with regard to the name. 

There are a number of “Glint Nymphs” currently on the market or in the literature; particularly in Europe.  Maybe the most immediately ‘recognizable’ are those by Davie McPhail.  While the basic concept is similar in terms of incorporating materials which create a ‘flash’ or ‘glint’ in the water, the name for those patterns is directly tied to the name of the material used; i.e., “Micro Glint” by Veniard.

Veniard’s website describes it thus:

A fine multi-strand iridescent thread which can be used for tying complete buzzers or ribbing small nymphs and dry flies.  Fine enough to use as a tying thread.

For those who don’t know, a ‘buzzer’ is the English/Scottish term for midge or chironomid pupa imitations.  Probably the best known version here in the United States is the Brassie (see link below).  In a 2003 article found in Flyfishing & Tying Journal (see link below) entitled “Midge Pupae And Winter Tying Thoughts” Brian Chan, whom some consider to be the modern ‘guru’ of chironomid fishing, states the following:

Of particular interest to midge pupa tiers are the flashy Mylars, tinsels and plastic materials that can be used to imitate the shiny appearance of the pupa during its ascent to the surface… The distinct abdominal ribbing seen in the real pupa can be imitated with fine wire in a variety of colours [sic]… As the pupa nears the surface, gas trapped beneath the skin of the abdomen and thorax becomes almost mirror-like in appearance… Some anglers may question the extent to which fly tiers are going to in imitating these insects.  Patterns developed twenty and more years ago still work, but there appears to be a strong relationship between increasing fishing pressure, higher rates of catch and release, and the selective feeding nature of trout…  (p. 87)

As you’ll see in a minute, this very nearly details much of Mercer’s TB Glint Nymph or, at least, the basis upon which he selected the materials.  You’ll also note that this ‘shiny appearance of the trapped gas’ and the ‘distinct abdominal ribbing’ are descriptors of the ‘triggers’ for such a pattern.  You can watch how Davie McPhail uses the Micro Glint to emulate these exact attributes on YouTube here…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOfPSdfS3QU

Mercer substitutes Holographic Tinsel, Flashabou, 5-minute Epoxy (see link below), and Ultra Wire (see link below) to accomplish the same thing with his ‘Glint’ Nymph; but, that points us to another ‘theme’ intrinsic to many/most of his patterns.  Mike is one of those tyers who does not like to let a good thing go to waste.  Put another way, he has a tendency to incorporate as many different ‘triggers’ and tying techniques into a single pattern as he can: A.) sensibly (ahem) fit; (B.) that the hook will allow; or (C.) when it reaches a point where it begins to detract from the pattern’s effectiveness.

To slightly paraphrase his semi-Zen-homage for the ‘technique,’ Mercer likes to create patterns which are as complicated as he can make them while keeping them as simple as possible. 

As a former guide, he has a first-hand understanding of the need for flies to be as easy or quick to tie as possible.  As a believer in ‘triggers,’ he wants as many as he can fit into a pattern.  Being the creator of so many successful patterns over the last several decades, he has many, techniques/features to incorporate and being an inveterate tinkerer just adds to the ‘problem.’  As he puts it on page 90 of Creative Fly Tying:

Some new fly-tying materials speak to me the first time I see them at a fly shop, almost jumping off the shelf with possibility.  Others niggle away at the back of my consciousness, ideas for their use slowly crawling toward the light of epiphany.

As I cast eyes skyward in an askance sigh of – “Uh oh.  Here we go again…” – l share the TB Glint Nymph’s recipe.

Recipe

Thankfully, rather than relying on some specific material such as Micro Glint, Mike has opted, in this case, for readily obtainable items which can be found in most stores that carry fly tying products.

Hook:  TMC 3761, #14 – 20.  (see link below) 

These days, I’m personally more likely to use the Daiichi 1560 (see link below) or, in streams where I’m likely to lose flies in tree limbs, rocks, etc., I’ll break out the Mustad 3906B’s.  Don’t get me wrong.  The Tiemco 3761 is a favorite of mine and it’s the one Mercer recommends/cites.  But, I was able to procure the Daiichi in 1,000-packs which made them a high quality alternative at a less expensive price due to the bulk purchase.  The Mustad 3906B’s are even less expensive; which means I’m more likely to put the fly where it needs to go on those waters where you’ve got a good chance of losing the fly if you put it where it needs to go.

Bead:  Black Tungsten, to match hook size

As I noted above, I personally tend to steer clear of tungsten beads due to the cost.  However, they have the virtue of sinking a nymph fast; even in ‘big’ or fast-flowing waters.  I have a very strong suspicion that this is the precise reason Mercer uses the tungsten bead.  There are a few rivers I know he likes to fish where ‘midges’ are a chronically underestimated pattern.  Let’s just say that, in a sense, “chuck ‘n duck” isn’t strictly an Alaska fishing technique insofar as the weight needed to “get it down” and even small tungsten beads can pack a punch if they hit right.  (Though, in Alaska, “chuck ‘n duck” can take on a ‘make sure your health/life insurance is paid up’ meaning all its own.)

Thread:  UNI 8/0 Camel

Tail:  3 ringneck pheasant tail fibers, splayed

Rib:  Fine Gold Wire

Not to dispute the pattern’s creator, but the size of the wire is going to be, to one degree or another, dependent on the size you are tying.  Well, at least as far as I’m concerned.  (Again, see link below for Ultra Wire.)  In fact, I’d even go so far as to admit that I’ve used other colors; though I haven’t mentioned that to Mike, yet.

Abdominal carapace:  Holographic Tinsel, Black

Abdomen:  Holographic Tinsel, color of choice

Umpqua Feather Merchants has 4 color choices for those who don’t tie their own – Opal, Orange Belly, Red Belly, and Yellow Belly.

Wingcase stripe:  strand of Flashabou, Pearl

Wingcase:  Thin Skin, Black, coated with 5-Minute Epoxy (see link below)

Thorax:  Natural gray Ostrich herl

Legs:  Natural brown Hungarian Partridge fibers

If you take a look at some of Mercer’s other patterns (see links below), you’ll find that yet another ‘theme’ is that he tends to ‘favor’ certain materials and incorporates them as often as possible into his creations.  For instance, his Gidget Nymph also relies on Hungarian Partridge for the tail and legs, while the Micro Mayfly also has a ‘wingcase stripe’ of pearl Flashabou, etc. 

However, as I’ve alluded to above, I have substituted materials to match my own aesthetic, those I have on hand, the water I was looking to fish, and/or the insects I intended to imitate.  No.  I’m not going to tell you about all the ‘modifications’ I’ve tried or use.  What I will say is that those efforts point to a critical aspect when it comes to…

Fishing Mercer’s TB Glint Nymph

While I’ve emphasized the midge aspect of this pattern, don’t let me misrepresent it as solely a midge imitation.  There are any number of other species it can be used to emulate; especially if you play with the colors – a distinct advantage fly tyers have.  In many respects, this thing strongly suggests “mayflies.”  There’s also the potential for little yellow stones.  Well, you get the idea.

While effective on stillwater, I personally see this as more of a creek/river fly box pattern.  Part of that has to do with the fact that I don't feel one needs the weight of tungsten beads in stillwater situations; though the basic pattern, with a standard brass or even a glass bead does work.  Be that as it may, the point of the tungsten bead is to get it down or, at the least on fast/big water, get it under the surface and keep it there. 

One of my favorite techniques on a particular piece of water primarily known for caddis and that shall remain nameless is to hang a Glint Nymph about 14 inches below my own version of Mercer’s Z-Wing Caddis (see link below).  This allows me to, potentially, cover 3 species – midge, mayfly, and caddis – with only two flies on every pass.  (It still surprises me that size 16 and 18 flies, particularly midge imitations, are so effective on such water.  But, there ya go.)

In the Fly Bin

Umpqua Feather Merchants is the sole, commercial distributor of the Mercer TB Glint Nymph.  As stated, they have 4 colors available – Opal, Orange Belly, Red Belly, and Yellow Belly.  While Mercer cites sizes of 14 – 20, Umpqua only lists sizes 14 – 18 in all four colors.  What will be available in a given shop’s fly bin will vary. 

For instance, even The Fly Shop’s online catalog only lists 3 “available options” – the Yellow Belly in size 16, the Orange Belly in size 14, and the Red Belly in size 16.  They also show a price of $2.25 each.  (The tungsten bead contributes to the slightly higher pricing.)  However, after a cursory search online, it didn’t take much effort to find all four colors and sizes for $1.95 each and another with all four colors, but limited sizes, with a price tag of $2.50 each. 

Frankly, however, I suspect this is one of those patterns that you’re more likely to find in the bins at ‘destination shops.’  I won’t mention specific locations, but I know Mercer’s TB Glint Nymph has occupied a few bins in such places.  Don’t quote me on this, but I believe the commercial versions were ‘introduced’ in the 2012 Umpqua Catalog; so, the pattern has only begun to make a name for itself.

Final Thoughts

For my personal use, it’s the flexibility of the basic design which got me to using it.  Certainly, I don’t discount Mercer’s adherence to ‘trigger’ attributes, ‘complicated simplicity’ (something I’m prone to in my own creations – with more of an emphasis on ‘complicated’ - *cough, sputter, ahem*), or his preferences in materials.  But, that’s the hallmark of a ‘successful’ pattern.  Much like the Wulff series of dry flies (see link below), while the basics remain the same, if the imitation is effective across a spectrum of color/material variations, it’s usually “good to go” in my book.

So, if I’m that enthusiastic about the pattern and I’ve previously rated Mercer flies I’ve reviewed 5 stars, then why does this one only get 4 stars?  The primary reason is due to the somewhat inconsistent availability.  The other is that while I think this is a potential ‘sleeper,’ it hasn’t been on the market long enough to have ‘earned’ its place over time.  In that regard, Mercer’s TB Glint Nymph has shown more than a “glint” of potential with the success it’s already achieved for me.

Mike Mercer Patterns Reviewed

Biot Epoxy Stone; Gidget Nymph; Glasstail Caddis Pupa; Micro Mayfly Nymph; Tungsten Caddis Larva; Z-Wing Caddis Pupa  

Fly Pattern Reviews

A.K.'s Parachute Quill Dry Fly; Andy Burk's H.B.I.; Bird's Nest Nymph; Bivisible; Brassie; Comparadun; Copper John Nymph;  Elk Hair Caddis; Gold Ribbed Hare's Ear Nymph; Gulper's Special;  The Humpy Dry Fly;  Jacklin's March Brown Nymph; Kaufmann's Simulator Nymph; Kaufmann's Stimulator; Krystal Flash Caddis; LaFontaine's Emergent Sparkle Pupa and Deep Sparkle Pupa; Muddler Minnow; Parachute Adams;  Parachute Dry Flies; Pheasant Tail Nymph; Prince Nymph; Red Fox Squirrel Hair Nymph; Schroeder's Parachute Hare's Ear Dry Fly; Spruce Streamer; Tim Fox's Poopah; Wooly Bugger; Wulff Dry Flies 

Fly Tying Hooks Reviewed

Daiichi 1110; Daiichi 1120; Daiichi 1180; Daiichi 1270; Daiichi 1560; Daiichi 1710; Daiichi 1720; Daiichi 1760; Dai-Riki 135; Dai-Riki 270; Mustad 94840; Mustad 9671; Mustad 9672; TMC 100; TMC 200R; TMC 2457; TMC 3761; TMC 3769; TMC 5262; TMC 5263; Wapsi SE 7   

Other Reviews Cited Above

Creative Fly Tying by Mike Mercer    
Flyfishing & Tying Journal   
Devcon 5-Minute Epoxy   
Ultra Wire   
     

Recommended: Yes