Need some help (again)

[kjackson]

This may have absolutely no application in Missouri, but there is a nymph that was superb back in Washington (and in Montana while I was in school) decades ago.  The critical thing is the hook--way back then, we used a Herter's "live bait" hook...and the closest I can find in production now is this: https://barlowstackle.com/Eagle-Claw-L141brKahle-Hook-P2589/  The Herter's hooks, Mustard made something similar for a while, is atypical for a fly, but by wrapping a body of dubbed fur and a thin collar of black hackle you can create a fly that is deadly. IMO, the curved body looks a lot like a nymph that is trying to get back to a place of shelter.  

My dad got into fly tying when I was 10 because one of his work buddies swore by the fly-- a dubbed mink body and sparse black hackle.  It was and is a good pattern.  It is super easy to tie and may be a solution for picky fish.  I tied a version with some lead wrapped around the belly section to imitate a sinking mayfly nymph when I fished a backwater slough in Montana when I was going to school.  It caught trout, but then again, a Hare's Ear or marabou leech did as well.