Basic Fly Tying Part 2

In the last part of this blog we touched on the tools and materials needed for the basics, now let me introduce you to some of the basic skills involved with tying your own flies.

Comfort

Above everything else make sure you are comfortable when tying, try to use a chair with a straight back and a table or bench at a correct height so that you are not stooping or stretching over your vice, this is a common back breaker when not right and can be the difference between a night at the vice or a trip to the local tackle shop!!

Hook Position

The correct hook position in the vice is first and foremost, too far in to the vice and your looking at snap offs, not far enough and each time you put any tension on the fly it will most likely come out of the vice, the image below shows the correct position for the hook.



Bobbin Threading

To correctly thread the bobbin first of all attach your chosen colour of thread to the bobbin, then using either a threader or by hand feed the thread through the tube until you can freely pull the thread from the spool. Most threads will be pre waxed however if you prefer you can add a lick of wax at this stage by running a wax block up and down the thread. You are now ready to begin your fly.



Beginning Tying

Take the bobbin in one hand and the end of the thread in the other and starting behind the shank of the hook wind the thread on with the bobbin holder going all the way to the bend of the hook, make staedy tight turns ensuring that the entire shank is evenly covered without any bumps. You are now ready to tie in some materials to begin the body of your fly.


Materials

These are the materials i would suggest using.

Hook.........#12-22, i use Kamasan hooks
Thread...... Black, brown, or red
Ribbing......Small Copper wire
Tail............Pheasant tail
Abdomen....Pheasant tail
Thorax.......Peacock herl
Wingcase....Pheasant tail
Legs...........Pheasant tail

Steps 1,2 and 3

Wrap thread base back to hook bend and tie in pheasant strands to create tail. Tail length should be same length as hook shank. *Use long enough strands to allow for body material.
Tie in ribbing material and snip the excess.
Wrap the thread forward 3/4 of the way up hook shank.


Steps 4&5

Wind pheasant strands forward approx. 3/4 the way up hook shank and tie off.
Then wind ribbing material forward in the opposite direction as the pheasant strands and tie off in the same spot using a half hitch knot.



Step 6

Tie in more pheasant strands for wing casing and clip butt ends. Tips should point back towards the bend of the hook to the end of the tail as pictured below.


Step 7

Tie in peacock herl for thorax and snip butt ends making sure not to snip the thread.



Step 8, 9, & 10

Wrap peacock herl forward and tie off just behind hook eye.
Pull wingcase fibers over peacock herl and tie off.
Use remaining ends of pheasant strands to create legs by pulling material under thorax and winding thread back a few turns toward hook bend.


Step 11

Whip finish using the whipping or a few half hitches by hand if you prefer and apply head cement or varnish.



Your finished fly should look a little like the one in the picture below.



I hope you managed to get the hang of it its a brilliant little fly and a great all rounder, you should fish it slowly with twitches as if imitating the natural rising from the subsurface to the top of the water, its also a brilliant fly retrieved slowly in rivers and streams.

Can a mod please make this a sticky can i fook find those three options dan was on about.

billy barbel wrote:Can a mod please make this a sticky can i fook find those three options dan was on about.

Done!

If you look under the boxes that say "preview" & "send" there is another box with options in it!
Under the last box "notify me when a reply is posted" you will find the three options Dan was talking about!

Cheers badger.

Keep them coming :D

Great Post Gaz !