nymph
Egan's Iron Lotus
A sleek, fast-sinking mayfly nymph with a white-ribbed olive thread body, peacock thorax, black flashback wingcase, and a small red hot-spot collar. Built to imitate BWO and PMD nymphs.
Originated by Lance Egan
Recipe
- HookHanak 400 BL Jig — size 16 · Hanak
- ThreadUTC Ultrathread 70D — Olive · Danville
- BeadSlotted Tungsten — Gold 3.0mm
- TailCoq de Leon fibers
- AbdomenUTC Ultrathread 70D — Olive (thread body)
- RibDanville 140 Denier — White
- ThoraxArizona Synthetic Dubbing — Peacock
- ShellbackUTC Flashback Tinsel — Black Large
- HotspotUTC Ultrathread 70D — Red
- CoatingLoon UV Clear Flow or Solarez Bone Dry
History
The Iron Lotus gets its name — as Lance will freely admit — from the 'fabled Iron Lotus' skating move in *Blades of Glory*. His team watched the movie on repeat while tying flies leading up to a National Fly Fishing Championship, and the name stuck. The fly itself is serious business: a slick UV-coated body aids sink rate, subtle white ribbing adds segmentation, and the classic Egan touch — gold bead and red hot spot — gives just enough flash to pique interest. Lance has tested versions with black beads and no hot spot for tailwater purists. Every time, the red-and-gold original wins.
Fishing tips
The white ribbing is the tell — makes the fly look segmented without adding bulk. Olive is the default; tie in grey, black, and brown for species rotation.