Note:
This is a footprint fly in that the hackle is trimmed so that the fly rides low
on the thorax.
Instructions
Prepare
the wing by selecting flats of similar size and structure with opposing curves. Then lightly mist them with
tuffilm. Cut
the wing with scissors by cutting parallel with the stem
of the feather. Next cut down the feather at an angle to form the
wing. I prefer this to burning wings as I can
see where the shaft of the feather is at all times and can't when I tried to
burn them. This gives me more consistent
results.
Measure
the feathers you have prepared against the hook shank. You want them a
shank long less the eye of the hook. Make
sure you trim close to the feather shaft on both sides in the area on
the hook and mount the pair of wings with the tips toward the eye of the hook.
Bring
the thread to the front of the wing and erect them by building up a thread
button in front of the wing. Figure 8 between them to divide them the wing
should be cocked like a natural. Bring the thread to the rear of the hook
and build a thread button slightly down the bend of the hook.
Take
2 fibers of super tail with the curves going up on the top of the hook
shank. Then pass the thread directly in front of the thread button over
the tail fibers. Vary the amount of thread tension when you do this as it
will determine how much your fibers splay. This method is hard to
master but is the quickest way to get beautiful divided tails and works well
with spade hackle also.
Tie
in the quill body by the tapered end and build a nice slim even thread base to
the butt of
Tie
in a hackle of the standard dry fly size. I like to do this by cross
mounting my hackle. This is done right over where I tied in my quill, with
the tip of the feather pointing right at me. Make sure your thread base
has no bumps.
The
advantage to a side mount is your hackle starts straight instead of twisting and
you get no errant barbules at the beginning of wrapping. Take 3 turns
behind the wing and 2 or 3 in front, trim off and whip finish. I then
lacquer head.
Trim
a notch in the bottom of the hackle so the fly sits on its thorax. Keep
the size of the wing small and angled correctly to keep the fly from spinning. |
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