The Iron Lotus

May 1, 2017

The Iron Lotus is a quick sinking imitation of a mayfly nymph. Its slick, coated body aids in the sink rate, its subtly segmented body adds realism, its sleek silhouette matches the naturals and its gold tungsten bead and subtle red thread hotspot give just enough flash and color contrast to pique the interest of feeding Trout. If you are a fan of dumb humor movies (like me), then you likely know where this fly got its name. Shortly after designing this fly the movie, "Blades of Glory", came out. My team watched "Blades of Glory" several nights while tying flies leading up to a National Fly Fishing Championship. In the movie was a dangerous, yet wildly effective (if executed properly) skating move called the "fabled iron lotus". I thought the name was a catchy, and kind of summed up this pattern so I borrowed it for this fly. I tie these in size 12 to 16 using jig hooks and size 18-20 on regular nymph or scud hooks. Because Baetis nymphs do not have anything red or gold on them, I've tried several versions of this fly with black or black nickel beads and without the red thread hotspot, thinking picky tailwater fish might prefer a more natural looking fly. For me, the more lifelike colorations have been completely out-fished by the original sporting red and gold. I can't tell you why the fish prefer the hotspot and gold bead, but I can tell you they do. Go fish...

Material List
  • Hook: Hanak H 400 BL Jig Hook - 14
  • Thread: Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 8/0 - Olive Dun
  • Bead: Fulling Mill Slotted Tungsten Beads - Gold - 2.8 mm
  • Tail: Spanish Coq De Leon
  • Weight: Lead Wire Spool - 0.015
  • Abdomen: Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 8/0 - Olive Dun
  • Ribbing: 6/0 UNI-Thread Waxed - White
  • Hot Spot: UTC Ultrathread 70 Denier - Red
  • Thorax: Arizona Synthetic Dubbing - Peacock
  • Wing Case: UTC Flashback Tinsel - Black - Large
  • Coating: Loon UV Clear Fly Finish - Flow
  • Materials & Alternate Materials Listed Below
    UTC Ultrathread 70 Denier
    UTC Ultrathread 70 Denier

    UTC Ultrathread 70 Denier

    $2.49
    Hareline Slotted Tungsten Beads
    Hareline Slotted Tungsten Beads

    Hareline Slotted Tungsten Beads - Classic Colors

    $7.99
    Hanak H 400 BL Jig Hook
    Hanak H 400 BL Jig Hook

    Hanak H 400 BL Jig Hook

    $8.95
    8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge
    8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge
    8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge
    8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge
    8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge
    8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge
    8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge
    8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge
    8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge
    8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge
    8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge
    8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge
    8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge
    8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge
    8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge
    8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge
    8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge
    8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge
    8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge
    8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge
    8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge
    8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge
    8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge
    8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge
    8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge
    8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge
    8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge
    8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge
    8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge
    8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge
    8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge

    8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge

    $3.50
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 12/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 12/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 12/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 12/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 12/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 12/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 12/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 12/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 12/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 12/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 12/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 12/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 12/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 12/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 12/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 12/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 12/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 12/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 12/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 12/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 12/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 12/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 12/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 12/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 12/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 12/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 12/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 12/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 12/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 12/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 12/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 12/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 12/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 12/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 12/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 12/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 12/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 12/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 12/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 12/0

    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 12/0

    $3.50
    6/0 UNI-Thread Waxed
    6/0 UNI-Thread Waxed
    6/0 UNI-Thread Waxed
    6/0 UNI-Thread Waxed
    6/0 UNI-Thread Waxed
    6/0 UNI-Thread Waxed
    6/0 UNI-Thread Waxed
    6/0 UNI-Thread Waxed
    6/0 UNI-Thread Waxed
    6/0 UNI-Thread Waxed
    6/0 UNI-Thread Waxed
    6/0 UNI-Thread Waxed
    6/0 UNI-Thread Waxed
    6/0 UNI-Thread Waxed
    6/0 UNI-Thread Waxed
    6/0 UNI-Thread Waxed
    6/0 UNI-Thread Waxed
    6/0 UNI-Thread Waxed
    6/0 UNI-Thread Waxed
    6/0 UNI-Thread Waxed
    6/0 UNI-Thread Waxed
    6/0 UNI-Thread Waxed
    6/0 UNI-Thread Waxed
    6/0 UNI-Thread Waxed
    6/0 UNI-Thread Waxed
    6/0 UNI-Thread Waxed
    6/0 UNI-Thread Waxed

    6/0 UNI-Thread Waxed

    $3.50
    Fulling Mill 5045 Jig Force Barbless Hook
    Fulling Mill 5045 Jig Force Barbless Hook

    Fulling Mill 5045 Jig Force Barbless Hook

    $13.25
    Danville 6/0 Waxed Flymaster 70 Denier Thread
    Danville 6/0 Waxed Flymaster 70 Denier Thread
    Danville 6/0 Waxed Flymaster 70 Denier Thread
    Danville 6/0 Waxed Flymaster 70 Denier Thread
    Danville 6/0 Waxed Flymaster 70 Denier Thread
    Danville 6/0 Waxed Flymaster 70 Denier Thread
    Danville 6/0 Waxed Flymaster 70 Denier Thread
    Danville 6/0 Waxed Flymaster 70 Denier Thread
    Danville 6/0 Waxed Flymaster 70 Denier Thread
    Danville 6/0 Waxed Flymaster 70 Denier Thread
    Danville 6/0 Waxed Flymaster 70 Denier Thread
    Danville 6/0 Waxed Flymaster 70 Denier Thread
    Danville 6/0 Waxed Flymaster 70 Denier Thread
    Danville 6/0 Waxed Flymaster 70 Denier Thread
    Danville 6/0 Waxed Flymaster 70 Denier Thread
    Danville 6/0 Waxed Flymaster 70 Denier Thread
    Danville 6/0 Waxed Flymaster 70 Denier Thread
    Danville 6/0 Waxed Flymaster 70 Denier Thread
    Danville 6/0 Waxed Flymaster 70 Denier Thread
    Danville 6/0 Waxed Flymaster 70 Denier Thread
    Danville 6/0 Waxed Flymaster 70 Denier Thread
    Danville 6/0 Waxed Flymaster 70 Denier Thread
    Danville 6/0 Waxed Flymaster 70 Denier Thread
    Danville 6/0 Waxed Flymaster 70 Denier Thread
    Danville 6/0 Waxed Flymaster 70 Denier Thread

    Danville 6/0 Waxed Flymaster 70 Denier Thread

    $3.49
    Lead Wire
    Lead Wire

    Lead Wire

    $4.99
    Umpqua XC400BL-BN
    Umpqua XC400BL-BN

    Umpqua XC400BL-BN

    $8.95
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 8/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 8/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 8/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 8/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 8/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 8/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 8/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 8/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 8/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 8/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 8/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 8/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 8/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 8/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 8/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 8/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 8/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 8/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 8/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 8/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 8/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 8/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 8/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 8/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 8/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 8/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 8/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 8/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 8/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 8/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 8/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 8/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 8/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 8/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 8/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 8/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 8/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 8/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 8/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 8/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 8/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 8/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 8/0

    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 8/0

    $3.50
    Hanak H 450 BL Jig Hook
    Hanak H 450 BL Jig Hook

    Hanak H 450 BL Jig Hook

    $8.95
    Firehole Sticks 516 Jig Hook
    Firehole Sticks 516 Jig Hook

    Firehole Sticks 516 Jig Hook

    $8.35
    Loon UV Clear Fly Finish - Flow (1/2oz)
    Loon UV Clear Fly Finish - Flow (1/2oz)

    Loon UV Clear Fly Finish - Flow (1/2oz)

    $19.00
    Hareline Slotted Tungsten Beads
    Hareline Slotted Tungsten Beads

    Hareline Slotted Tungsten Beads - Metallic Colors

    $7.99
    Arizona Synthetic Dubbing
    Arizona Synthetic Dubbing
    Arizona Synthetic Dubbing
    Arizona Synthetic Dubbing
    Arizona Synthetic Dubbing
    Arizona Synthetic Dubbing
    Arizona Synthetic Dubbing
    Arizona Synthetic Dubbing
    Arizona Synthetic Dubbing
    Arizona Synthetic Dubbing
    Arizona Synthetic Dubbing
    Arizona Synthetic Dubbing
    Arizona Synthetic Dubbing

    Arizona Synthetic Dubbing

    $2.75
    Spanish Coq De Leon - Pardo
    Spanish Coq De Leon - Pardo
    Spanish Coq De Leon - Pardo
    Spanish Coq De Leon - Pardo

    Spanish Coq De Leon - Pardo

    $13.75
    Umpqua XC210BL-BN Perdi-Jig Hook
    Umpqua XC210BL-BN Perdi-Jig Hook

    Umpqua XC210BL-BN Perdi-Jig Hook

    $8.95