The Better Baetis

Cheech - March 3, 2018

When I first started getting serious about tying and fishing I had a group of buddies that would get together every once in a while to tie flies and compare notes. Some of the patterns that we would tie still are in my box to this day, and they still catch fish just like they did 15 years ago. One of the patterns that I learned was designed by Jake Ricks, and it's called the Better Baetis. Jake has been fishing since he was a kid, and has guided lots of less skilled anglers into fish over the years. I always listen when seasoned guides talk about the flies that they use regularly because it's probably really effective, not too complicated to tie, and super durable. This is the case with Jake's fly. Pay attention to the unique tail that isn't necessarily an exact match of a mayfly, but it gives a slightly different silhouette in the water that you probably won't find in a store bought fly. It's also tied on a big eye hook, and is almost all synthetic materials for maximum durability. We used the very versatile light tan dun color of hackle because it's also a bit different from the dyed dun colors that a lot of people use. I have fished this pattern off and on over the years, and it's a constant fish catcher. Thanks Jake! 

Material List
  • Hook: Daiichi 1110 - Wide Gape Dry Fly Hook - 18
  • Thread: 8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge - Olive Dun
  • Body: EZ Magic Dub - Olive
  • Tails: Mayfly Tails - Medium Dun
  • Wing: EP Trigger Point Int'l Fibers - Blue Winged Olive
  • Hackle: Whiting Hebert Miner Hackle Cape - Bronze - Light Tan Dun
  • Thorax: Super Fine Dry Fly Dubbing - Olive
  • Tools Used: Tiemco TMC Ceramic Bobbin (Std), Tiemco Tungsten Carbide Razor Scissor,
Materials & Alternate Materials Listed Below
Daiichi 1110 - Wide Gape Dry Fly Hook
Daiichi 1110 - Wide Gape Dry Fly Hook

Daiichi 1110 - Wide Gape Dry Fly Hook

$6.99
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
EZ Magic Dub
EZ Magic Dub
EZ Magic Dub
EZ Magic Dub
EZ Magic Dub
EZ Magic Dub
EZ Magic Dub
EZ Magic Dub
EZ Magic Dub
EZ Magic Dub
EZ Magic Dub
EZ Magic Dub
EZ Magic Dub
EZ Magic Dub
EZ Magic Dub
EZ Magic Dub
EZ Magic Dub

EZ Magic Dub

$4.50
Mayfly Tails
Mayfly Tails
Mayfly Tails
Mayfly Tails

Mayfly Tails

$3.25
EP Trigger Point Int'l Fibers
EP Trigger Point Int'l Fibers
EP Trigger Point Int'l Fibers
EP Trigger Point Int'l Fibers
EP Trigger Point Int'l Fibers
EP Trigger Point Int'l Fibers
EP Trigger Point Int'l Fibers
EP Trigger Point Int'l Fibers
EP Trigger Point Int'l Fibers
EP Trigger Point Int'l Fibers
EP Trigger Point Int'l Fibers
EP Trigger Point Int'l Fibers
EP Trigger Point Int'l Fibers
EP Trigger Point Int'l Fibers
EP Trigger Point Int'l Fibers
EP Trigger Point Int'l Fibers
EP Trigger Point Int'l Fibers
EP Trigger Point Int'l Fibers
EP Trigger Point Int'l Fibers
EP Trigger Point Int'l Fibers
EP Trigger Point Int'l Fibers
EP Trigger Point Int'l Fibers
EP Trigger Point Int'l Fibers
EP Trigger Point Int'l Fibers
EP Trigger Point Int'l Fibers
EP Trigger Point Int'l Fibers
EP Trigger Point Int'l Fibers
EP Trigger Point Int'l Fibers
EP Trigger Point Int'l Fibers

EP Trigger Point Int'l Fibers

$10.99
Tiemco TMC Ceramic Bobbin (Std)
Tiemco TMC Ceramic Bobbin (Std)

Tiemco TMC Ceramic Bobbin (Std)

$39.99
Tiemco Tungsten Carbide Razor Scissor
Tiemco Tungsten Carbide Razor Scissor

Tiemco Tungsten Carbide Razor Scissor

$109.99
TMC Tiemco 9300 Dry & Wet Hook - 100 Pack
TMC Tiemco 9300 Dry & Wet Hook - 100 Pack

TMC Tiemco 9300 Dry & Wet Hook - 100 Pack

$26.99
TMC 921 Micro-Barb Dry Fly Hook
TMC 921 Micro-Barb Dry Fly Hook

TMC 921 Micro-Barb Dry Fly Hook

$11.20
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
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
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
Daiichi 1180 - Standard Dry Fly Hook
Daiichi 1180 - Standard Dry Fly Hook

Daiichi 1180 - Standard Dry Fly Hook

$6.99
Daiichi 1182 - Low Vis Dry Fly Hook
Daiichi 1182 - Low Vis Dry Fly Hook

Daiichi 1182 - Low Vis Dry Fly Hook

$6.99
Daiichi 1222 - Darrel Martin's Dry Fly Hook
Daiichi 1222 - Darrel Martin's Dry Fly Hook

Daiichi 1222 - Darrel Martin's Dry Fly Hook

$6.99
Fulling Mill 1310 - Down Eye Dry Hook
Fulling Mill 1310 - Down Eye Dry Hook

Fulling Mill 1310 - Down Eye Dry Hook

$11.25
Fulling Mill 1550 - All Purpose Medium
Fulling Mill 1550 - All Purpose Medium

Fulling Mill 1550 - All Purpose Medium

$11.25
Kona UDF Universal Dry Fly Hook - 250 Pack
Kona UDF Universal Dry Fly Hook - 250 Pack

Kona UDF Universal Dry Fly Hook - 250 Pack

$69.99