A little jig with a couple of nice techniques for breathing gills and a shell back. Hook: Barbless jig # 12 Bead: 4mm silver slotted Tungsten Tying thread: Sheer 14/0 Olive Tag: Red Floss Rib: Fine silver wire Shell back: … Continue reading How to tie the bottom crawler jig
One of John Goddard’s lesser known but extremely effective patterns. The original JG emerger used a brown and grizzle hackle mixed for the parachute here I use only a brown dyed grizzle along with a special technique for splitting the … Continue reading How to tie the JG emerger variant
The smallest of the up-winged may flies. Although ideally matched on a # 20-26 hook it is possible to get away with a # 18. A couple of interesting techniques here for the tails and wing. Just change the colour … Continue reading How to tie a Ceanis / Trico spinner dry fly
A little cased caddis fly larva that is extremely simple to tie. You can mix and match the hook size and colour of hackles used to match the debris that the larva use in your your local waters. Hook: Mustad … Continue reading How to tie a stick fly larva
Take a well known pattern and fish catcher and turn it into a Jig that has a couple of nice techniques and is super fast to tie. What more could you ask for ? Hook: Veniard Osprey Barbless Jig # … Continue reading How to tie the Brassie Jig nymph
Heres one of my moose mane nymphs, that can be fished wet or dry. Although it may look a little challenging, it’s a relatively straight forward tie that includes a few good techniques that can be put to use in … Continue reading How to tie the moose mane nymph
A quick and super easy wire body midge pupa that is almost indestructible. Tie it in whatever colour and size you like. Hook: Mustad C49S # 14 or smaller Tying thread: Sheer 14/0 Black Body: UTC Ultra wire, colour of … Continue reading How to tie the Ultra midge
A great pattern when the trout are selective. Only basic materials are needed for this ‘ must have’ pattern for the caddis specialist, that can be fished static or as a skater. An easy tie with a couple of interesting … Continue reading How to tie the Poly wing caddis
A nice pattern for most of the larger mayfly nymphs. Not only an easy but semi realistic tie but an extremely effective pattern with some good techniques that can be used for other nymphs. Hook: Mustad R74 # 10 Tying … Continue reading How to tie a large mayfly nymph
This extremely popular attractor started life as a parachute Adams with a purple body. There are many interpretations of the purple haze, this is just one of them. Why it works, we don’t know but the fish just love it! … Continue reading How to tie the Purple Haze parachute
A superb little CDC generic mayfly emerger that ticks all the boxes when the hatch is on. Tied in most sizes and colour combinations this is one of my top trout flies. Hook: Mustad C49S # 10 Tying thread: Sheer … Continue reading How to tie a CDC mayfly emerger
One of the legacy patterns from the late Andre Puyans. An ultra simple may fly emerger that only requires basic skill and materials. Tied correctly it will take fish just about all year round on both river and still waters. … Continue reading How to tie the AP Pontoon emerger
Although this nymph is approaching 70 years old, it’s originator, Artist & illustrator John Atherton used European kingfisher for the original wing case. Perhaps using its iridescent blue to imitate the gas filled wing case of an emerging nymph, or … Continue reading How to tie the Atherton Medium nymph
A simple yet extremely effective pattern that is easy to tie, but commands a little technique. A Deer hair drake with a parachute hackle that will float all day long and fool the most selective trout. Hook: Mustad R43 #8 … Continue reading How to tie a deer hair drake
Heres an older pattern for a wet mayfly that can still hold its own today. Although not fished so much any longer this elegant style of mayfly is a pure pleasure to tie with its simple materials on a small … Continue reading How to tie a mayfly wet
A cracking little nymph with lots of bling. Three great materials, copper wire, Pheasant tail and peacock herl make this a great pocket water pattern that gets down deep quick. Hook: Mustad R73 # 10 Tying thread: Black 6/0 Tail: … Continue reading How to tie the Copper Nymph
One of the most highly regarded Irish wet flies tied here for both trout and sea trout. Not only a killer pattern but a great fly for the new beginner to tie and have success with. Hook: Mustad S70 # 8 … Continue reading How to tie a Bibio & Jungle Bibio
One fly to match them all. A simple but extremely effective cripple mayfly pattern that with a little adjustment to size and colour will produce fish in most hatches. Hook: Mustad C49S # 10 Tying thread: Sheer 14/0 grey Trailing … Continue reading How to tie a cripple mayfly emerger
Another good simple pattern that is quick & easy to tie. This generic caddis pupa has a couple of nice techniques and can be tied in a number of sizes, colours and weight to match your hatch or favourite pocket … Continue reading How to tie a simple Caddis pupa
A very quick and easy but realistic little stonefly that can be fished as an egg layer or spent. Tied on sizes 14-18 its perfect for the late summer – autumn hatch of needle flies. Hook: Mustad R43 # 14 … Continue reading How to tie a fluttering stonefly dry fly
One of the most popular patterns in the UK in recent years. When using marabou, the key to getting it right, is to get as much animation in the pattern as possible, it helps using the right marabou in combination … Continue reading How to tie the blue flash damsel
The most popular dry fly in the world with a spun deer hair body! Could it get any better? The full tutorial on tying the Adams irresistible. Hook: Mustad R30 # 10 Tying thread: Dyneema or GSP and Sheer black … Continue reading How to tie Adams irresistible dry fly
During late summer & autumn large numbers of crane flies begin to hatch and loose the battle against the elements and end their life on the water as trout food. This daddy long legs pattern has quick & easy detached … Continue reading Deer hair daddy long legs dry fly
This one feather flat-wing is a cracking pattern not only for the salt, but when tied in black or olive is a great fresh water big fish pattern. If you haven’t tied flat wings before this is probably the best … Continue reading How to tie Orange Ruthless flatwing streamer
One of the early British still water patterns created by Ken Sinfoil for catching ‘fry bashing’ trout. Fry bashing is the equivalent of a hatch but with newly hatched coarse fish fry. In August these large shoals of fry gather … Continue reading Sinfoil’s Fry, a bait fish streamer
A very quick and easy, effective dry fly pattern for plant eating carp. The Mustad C67S super strong, egg, caddis hook, is kept afloat beautifully with this combination of CDC and marabou. Hook: Mustad C67S # 8 … Continue reading Grass Carp Salad dry fly
A very simple but yet effective, all CDC emerger that uses a few nice CDC techniques for a super buoyant Hi-Vis emerger. Petitjean pattern MP 2100 Hook: Mustad C49S # 10 Tying thread: Sheer 14/0 Olive Post: 2 Light Mallow … Continue reading CDC Emerger MP 2100 – Petitjean
One of the true classic trout flies and without doubt the best known from the Wulff series, first tied by Lee Wulff in the early 1930’s. This version is a little unusual as its tied with a parachute hackle. Hook: … Continue reading Parachute Royal Wulff dry fly
One of the first nymphs I ever tied and fished with. Although this has the appearance of a modern nymph it was first tied back in the early 1930’s by Don Martinez from California. A great generic nymph that has … Continue reading How to tie Black Martinez nymph
An extremely quick and easy tie for an extremely effective midge pattern. A great fishing pattern that only requires the most basic of tying skills. Hook: Mustad C49S # 16-26 Tying thread: Sheer brown 14/0 Rib: Cobweb 8/0 white tying … Continue reading How to tie Top secret midge
When the egg layers are active your waders can be a popular place to deposit the eggs! Its that time of year when an egg laying caddis is an essential addition to your fly box! Heres an easy pattern that … Continue reading fly tying Egg laying caddis dry fly
A great little caddis pattern that has a few nice techniques. The super buoyant combination of CDC and deer hair make this pattern almost un-sinkable. Hook: Mustad R43 # 12 Tying thread: Petitjean SS Olive Abdomen: Fluorescent Green CDC hackle … Continue reading How to tie Midsummer Caddis dry fly
An extremely quick and easy, yet effective pattern that can be mastered by tyers of all levels. This Ugly or scruffy mayfly dun includes a few interesting techniques for making dubbing and applying it. Don’t be fooled by it’s simplicity, … Continue reading How to tie the Ugly May dry fly
Yet another quick and simple, but effective pattern, that requires only basic skills and materials. Fish it not only as a generic Coleoptera but also as something thats just buggy! Hook: Mustad R30 # 12 Tying thread: Sheer 14/0 Claret … Continue reading Brown & Peacock Beetle dry fly
A very quick and easy variant of the classic pheasant tail nymph, using only a sparse amount of materials. One for the box in various sizes and colours. Hook: Mustad R 74 # 10 Tying thread: Sheer 14/0 Tail: Pheasant … Continue reading Magic Glass Pheasant tail
A no hackle emerger that gives a very nice presentation of a hatching mayfly. An interesting technique that uses Para post yarn for the emerging wing and hackle. If you don’t have the Booby eyes, you can also use a … Continue reading How to tie Clarke’s No Hackle Emerger
A damsel nymph tied in the Montana nymph style. A great pattern, especially for still waters and as a stalking bug. Tie it in your favorite colours and the more weight you add at the head the more aggressive the … Continue reading How to tie Montana Damsel nymph
A truly effective pattern for when those hatches of small caddis are underway, or even just fished as a all round attractor. Simple and quick pattern that pushes all the buttons! Hook: Mustad R30 # 12-18 Tying thread: Sheer 14/0 … Continue reading How to tie X-Factor Caddis dry fly
Widely regarded as the national fly of Finland, Simo Lumme’s Nalle Puh or also know as Winnie the Pooh is a wonderful egg laying caddis pattern with a rather unusual but effective winging technique. Buy MUSTAD signature hooks on AMAZON:Buy … Continue reading How to tie the Nalle Puh
The nymph previously know as Prince. A great little nymph that every fly fishermen should have in their box, but this time tide with a partridge throat hackle instead of the traditional brown. Hook: Mustad S60 # 10 Bead: Silver … Continue reading The nymph previously know as prince.
A variant of the Kingsmill Moore pattern, the golden Olive bumble that was popularised in his great book ‘A man may fish’ A cracking dry fly attractor that hardly ever fails as a top dropper. Pulled through the surface as … Continue reading How to tie Golden olive bumble muddler
One of my most simple patterns. A semi realistic but quick tie for a perfect adult blue damsel that works extremely well when they are on the water. Hook: Mustad R30 # 12 Tying thread: Black 6/0 Body: Blue dyed … Continue reading How to tie Adult Blue Damsel
An unusual but good looking pattern. This large caddis fly ticks all the boxes when it comes to a large adult skating caddis imitation. Hook: Mustad R43 # 10 Tying thread: Dyneema Abdomen: 2 beige CDC hackles Wing: Mottled turkey … Continue reading How to tie grey sedge dry fly
This is an old but reliable pattern used especially in fast riffles and for searching pocket water. Hook: Mustad R30 # 14 Tying thread: Black 6/0 Body: Peacock herl Wing: Elk hair Hackle: 1 grizzle & 1 brown Continue reading How to tie Peacock Caddis dry fly
This old but still effective, for and aft pattern, was one of Ernest Hemingway’s top trout flies. Hook: Mustad R 30 # 14 Tying thread: Black 6/0 Butt: Flat gold tinsel Rear hackle: Brown cock Body: Peacock herl Front hackle: … Continue reading How to tie The Renegade dry fly
A classic quill wing style dun. A traditional pattern and technique that gives one of the best footprints and silhouettes of an adult mayfly. Hook: Mustad R30 # 12 Tying thread: Sheer 14/0 grey Wings: Mallard wing quills Tail: Grey … Continue reading Quill wing blue dun
A real simple beetle/ bug that has never failed me even under super selective feeding. Your help and support in keeping the channel going is greatly appreciated. If you enjoy the videos please subscribe to my YouTube channel below. Thanks… https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYb8DCVlYijoCYgvx_v2EuQ Continue reading The Beetle Bug
This is the trout version of the river Tay salmon fly. Also better known for being a killer sea trout pattern for peaty coloured rivers and lochs. Hook: Mustad S70 # 8 Tying thread: Black 6/0 Tail: Golden pheasant topping … Continue reading How to tie Dunkeld wet fly
A rather unusual pattern from North Yorkshire that has gained a super reputation as a real trout and grayling treat. Hook: Mustad R30 # 12 Tying thread: Black 6/0 Wing: Mallard flank Body: Peacock herl Hackle: Brown cock Continue reading How to tie John Storey dry fly
This well known Welsh pattern represents a small beetle of the same name (red & black) that is found along the river and lake banks of the Welsh countryside. One of the classic peacock herl patterns that trout just love. … Continue reading Coch-y-Bonddu
When large wood ants swarm on the warmest summer days the trout go on a feeding frenzy. This is one of those patterns that you just can’t do without. Simple but realistic and quick to tie. Hook: Mustad R43 # … Continue reading Tying the flying wood ant
This is a model pattern for most mayfly nymphs, all you need to do is change the hook size and material colour to imitate a whole number of different nymphs. A good pattern to know! Hook: Mustad S82 # 8 … Continue reading Tying a model mayfly nymph
This is a pattern designed to show the pure versatility of deer hair! Tail, spun body and hackle all made from deer hair and nothing more. Three deer hair techniques that will for sure be helpful to you when tying … Continue reading Tying the deer hair irresistible.
I have had so many questions regarding the correct deer hair for tying the streaking caddis that I have made this little tutorial on deer hair and prep for the streaking caddis. Buy MUSTAD signature hooks on AMAZON:Buy VENIARD product … Continue reading Deer hair prep for streaking caddis
A get down deep house building caddis pattern that has to be one of the most productive weighted grayling patterns I know, along with a couple of neat tying techniques. Hook: Mustad R75 # 8 Tying thread: Dyneema Weight: Polypropylene … Continue reading How to tie peeping caddis
This is a diving or egg laying caddis that is fished just under the surface with long slow pulls. The combination of partridge hackle and hen mallard breast feathers is a real fish attractor. Hook: Mustad S60 # 8 Tying … Continue reading Tying the diving or egg laying caddis
This is an old but still good and quick method for tying the knots in pheasant tail fibres for crane fly and hopper legs. Its like riding a bike once learnt never forgotten! Please remember to subscribe to the feather benders You Tube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYb8DCVlYijoCYgvx_v2EuQ Continue reading Daddy’s legs
A very simple pattern with a not so well know hackling technique, try this pattern and I am sure you won’t be disappointed. Hook: Mustad R30 # 12 Tying thread: Sheer 14/0 Black Trailing shuck: UV flash Abdomen: Black tying … Continue reading How to tie the Hatching midge
Another deer hair technique that shows you how to make spun deer hair bodies with the use of a dubbing loop. Buy MUSTAD signature hooks on AMAZON:Buy VENIARD product on AMAZON:Fly tying tools and materials shop TRIDENT:Buy SIMMS fishing products:EPIC … Continue reading Spinning deer hair in a dubbing loop
This is yet another parachute technique with a twist! A very satisfying method of finishing a traditional parachute hackle that also equips the pattern with a quick sight indicator. Hook: Mustad R30 # 12 Tying thread: Sheer 14/0 black Tail: … Continue reading How to tie Poly weld para.
This is a priceless little trick for improving the grip of most hackle pliers substantially! Continue reading Improving your hackle pliers!
This pattern has proved itself now over many years and has become a must have pattern for most trout and grayling fishermen in Scandinavia. Hook: Mustad R 30 # 10 Tying thread: Dyneema Head & Tail: Natural roe deer hair … Continue reading Beauty and the Beast, Tying the Dyret
The feather benders home grown and hand crafted fly tyers wax scull’s. It’s not that long ago that pre-waxed tying thread was not readily available, and tyers, especially of the more classic stile patterns resorted to various types of wax to make tying more easy and the natural threads such as cotton and silk more durable. Because the majority of tying threads available today are pre-waxed, the practice of waxing your own tying thread has been somewhat neglected or almost forgotten for most fly tyers. Apart from the obvious advantages as mentioned above, waxing your own thread makes easy work … Continue reading A new batch of sculls now available…
PatteGrisen (Suckling pig) Its ten years today that the pig was born. There are, I am sure, hundreds, if not thousands of new fly patterns that are tied each year for salt water sea trout alone, most of which only … Continue reading How to tie PatteGrisen (Suckling pig)
An extremely simple but effective weighted caddis pupa perfect for searching pocket water and riffles. Hook: Mustad S82 # 8 Weight: Lead wire Tying thread: Dyneema Rib: Brown 3/0 tying thread Abdomen: Dark olive dubbing Wing buds: Wood pigeon quill … Continue reading How to tie weighted caddis pupa
Friday’s fly is one of the classic Catskill mayfly patterns with all the componets of the classic dry fly. Please remember to subscribe to the feather benders You Tube channel: Continue reading How to tie Beaverkill – American classic
One thread to bind them all ! The shear amount of spools of thread that I alone have accumulated over the years is mind boggling! I have silk, Nylon, Polyester, Kevlar, Dacron… this list goes on! The tyer always looks … Continue reading Dyneema tying thread video
I am having a spike right now on the site with visitors from Finland, and I would just like to say, I look forward to seeing you all at the Finish fly fair in April. Please visit me and say hi. Continue reading Finish Fly Fair April 2014
Here it is, working with deer hair, all three parts in one post, updated with new techniques and images. Deer hair is normally described as hollow, This doesn´t mean that it´s hollow like a drinking straw, but that each hair is built up of hundreds of small air filled cells. This type of hair structure is most defined in deer from areas with an extreme winter climate. The result, the colder it is, the better the spinning qualities, with some exceptions. The hair from our own reindeer and the north american caribou. In order to achieve optimal insulation, these hairs … Continue reading European Roe Deer Hair, tools and top tying tips 2
NEW DATES: The 2014 fly tying show dates are now being confirmed. If you are not a regular to fly tying shows I can’t recommend them highly enough! They are a great source for not only materials and tools but also inspiration, with many great tyers from around the world demonstrating their techniques and patterns, so try and take in one of them this spring. Here are my dates for some of the shows. There are several other shows that the dates are not fully confirmed yet and I will publish these when they are up-dated. I look forward to … Continue reading Tying shows 2014
The G & H Sedge or Goddard Caddis The G & H sedge, as it was originally named was created by John Goddard and Cliff Henry. John Goddard who died last December was one of the great innovators of fly tying. This is a small tribute to one of, if not, his most famous patterns. The dressing and style of tying I demonstrate here, is taken from the 1977 re-print of his 1969 book ‘Trout flies of still-water’. Original recipe Hook: Long-shank 8-10 Tying Silk: Green Underbody: Dark green seals fur Body: Natural deer hair Hackle: Two rusty dun … Continue reading Fly Tying Course # 19 The G & H Sedge
Hi, I must start again by apologizing for my absence lately (again) but I have been very busy tying and photographing flies for the new Mustad hook catalogue for 2014. Heres a sneak preview of a few of the patterns. I hope to be back blogging over the weekend, have a good one. Bee Cee Clapping crab tied on a Mustad C70SNP-DT Kill Bill Salmon double Tied on a Mustad 80525-BL Sølv Dokka Tied on a Mustad R70NP-BR Vulturine Tarpon Tied on a Mustad C68SNP-ZS Circle shrimp Tied on a Mustad C71SNP-SS Streaking Caddis Tied on a Mustad R30NP-BR Buy MUSTAD hook on AMAZON Continue reading Mustad hook catalogue 2014
Now that the blog has become established and I have just reached 50,000 visitors and over 3000 followers I thought it only correct to take you on a little tour of the tying room. This is where it all the tying and photography happens. It may look like its a bit chaotic but everything I use on a regular basis is close at hand. Trying to keep order in the hook department is always testing, without order, everything falls apart, I can spend more time looking for hooks that actually tying the pattern it was intended for! But I have … Continue reading The feather benders tying room
This is another deer hair technique that very useful for many dry, terrestrial, and streamer patterns. Although not an easy technique to get right without detailed instruction, once mastered, never forgotten! Hook: Mustad R30 94833 # 4-10 http://www.mustad.no/productcatalog/product.php?id=175 Tying thread: Dyneema Tail: Bleached elk hair Body: Floss silk Wing/head: Bleached elk hair Legs: Rubber legs http://www.veniard.com/product2136/section172/micro-rubber-legs This pattern was designed by US tyer Doug Swisher for attractor fishing in the Rocky mountains. The advantage of rubber legs in an attractor pattern is that the create maximum movement in the surface, ideal for searching out fish with both free drift and stripped … Continue reading Fly tying course # 7 Bullet head technique Madam X
Wooly Muggler For me there are two big fish flies that I just dont go trout fishing without, Wooly bugger and Muddler minnow. Hook: Mustad S74SNP-ZS # 6-4 Thread: Dyneema Tail: Marabou and crystal hair Body: Dubbing Hackle: Webby tapered saddle hackle Wing : Marabou Head & Collar: Spun and clipped deer hair This is a combination pattern that I made a few years ago for sunk line fishing in lakes and deep pools. This pattern has both the great attractor qualities of both flies. The flowing pulsating marabou and the bubbling buoyant spun deer hair head. If you … Continue reading Wooly Muggler: A big streamer for big fish
Heres the second part of the MP CdC tutorial. Where Marc is tying one of his great CdC may flies. This is not only an extremely quick and easy pattern to tie but also a very effective fishing pattern, as Marc proved to me while fishing the river Trysil here in Norway. In the first part of the course that I published earlier, I flipped all the images for right hand tyers, but with Marc being left handed I thought I would keep this tutorial as tied by Marc for all you left handed tyers out there. The vice, … Continue reading CdC May fly with Marc Petitjean
This is just to show you the correct way to prepare and mount a traditional dry fly hackle. Firstly a little about hackles. Dont forget! If you have any questions please dont hesitate to ask. Just post your question at the foot of this page. If you would like to receive a message when the next stage of the course is published, just add your e mail address at the top right of this page. Thanks, The feather bender. Fly tying course # 6 Dry fly hackle prepare and traditional dry fly Generally speaking the more money you spend on … Continue reading How to prepare Dry fly hackle
My apologies to everyone doing the fly tying course, but the last few days have been busy making step by steps for magazines, but now I’m all done and ready to post a patterns for the the tyer that is a little more advanced, but of course you can always give this one a go even if you are a beginner. The original Ammonite nymph, if I am not mistaken, comes from the vice of UK tyer and photographer Steve Thonrton. Getting this great looking nymph right is all about proportions! So if you are going to give this a … Continue reading Step by step tutorial for the Ammonite nymph
Back to the tying bench again, this time with a salt water pattern. I must say, Its nice to see that salt water materials being made in smaller sizes, not just for the monster warm water fish across the pond. These FisHeadz from Deer creek in the UK , are perfect in the two smallest sizes for salt water fishing in Europe, for both bass in the south and sea trout here in the North. I still haven’t had much time to play with these, I’v only tied half a dozen flies with them, but they are that easy to … Continue reading FisHeadz Mackerel
X Caddis Dont forget! If you have any questions please dont hesitate to ask. Just post your question at the foot of this page. If you would like to receive a message when the next stage of the course is published, just add your e mail address at the top right of this page. Thanks, The feather bender. This next fly in the course is the X Caddis. This is a no hackle dry fly that floats extremely well because of the natural buoyancy of the deer hair and Antron tail. Hook: Mustad R50 94840 # 10-18 Thread: Dyneema Tail: … Continue reading Fly tying course # 5 Dry Fly Adult caddis
Tying thread: There are many threads available today that have many different properties. The tyer will want to use the one that is most suited to the task at hand, in respect to thickness, strength, stretchability, waxed or un-waxed and weather it has a flat or round profile on the hook, And of course colour. Size / thickness: Thick threads are described in lower numbers 3/0 and thinner threads in higher numbers 16/0. And strong threads such as Kevlar and Dyneema are as strong as carbon fibre. Silk threads and flosses are still available, but most modern threads and flosses … Continue reading Fly Tying Course # 2 Thread and Whip finish
Calling on all my fly tying friends, the future of our craft needs your support ! As most of you who are reading this are already advanced fly tyers and friends, I hope you will help me, help others, who are new to our craft. As you are aware, it’s not easy starting to tie flies without some good fundamental tuition in choice of materials, hooks, tools and techniques. In order to help those of all ages that are new to fly tying, I would like to start a free on line tutorial and Q & A column, that will … Continue reading On line fly tying course for beginners
This is a tutorial I made with my good friend Marc Petitjean to demonstrate how he uses the magic tool and a few other CdC techniques he has up his sleeve. If you are not familiar with Marc’s tools and materials they really are the bee’s knee’s. Super high quality Swiss made Vices and ingenious, yet simple to use tools and his CdC is some of the continuously best available. This is the step by step for one of Marc’s quick and simple CdC body and caddis wing. The vice, tools and all materials used are Marc’s own and are … Continue reading CdC tutorial with Marc Petitjean part 1
Once again this is a request I have had from several fellow bloggers for the fur hackle spinning technique. Although similar too the spinning deer hair article, there are a few pointers you should be aware of when mastering this technique. Just about all natural and synthetic furs, feathers and hairs can be used as one form of dubbing or another. Before you start its worth considering what type of hair or material is suitable for the type of fly you are tying. There are several factors regarding the choice of natural materials. 1. Dry fly, nymph, wet. 2. Sinking, … Continue reading Making a fur hackle and dubbing tutorial
The reverse foil Gammarus I cant really say much about this pattern as I only designed it and tied it up a couple of hours ago while playing with the new Shrimp Foils. But I could see right away when I started messing around with them that if I tied the foil onto the hook in reverse it could possibly bee a decent gammarus shell back! Hook: Mustad C49SNP # 8 Tying thread: Dyneema Feelers: Partridge hackle Underbody: Seals fur Shell back: Shrimp foil small http://www.theflypeople.com/ to order: theflypeople@web.de with Bug Bond http://www.veniard.com/section188/ Rib: Clear mono 1 Secure your Mustad C49SNP hook … Continue reading How to tie reverse foil Gammarus
I just had a few minutes to play around with the shrimp foils. This time I reversed the foil and tied it in back to front for a Gammarus shell. I’ll post the full step by step for this pattern later. Continue reading Another tie with the new shrimp foils
Although its still a few months before the rag worms start swarming on the coast for thier annual spawn, its always good to have them tied up before hand. For those of you who find the earlier rag worm pattern … Continue reading Video tutorial for a simple rag worm
The Awesome opossum Yesterday I received in the post a few samples of Shrimp foils from the fly people in Germany. One sheet with coated foils and a second with uncoated. The coated foils really look the business but unfortunately after three attempts to tie them on and failing miserably in all three, I went over to the uncoated and and had no problems at all. Although the coated ones seemed flexible enough and relatively easy to position, every time I attached the thread and applied the slightest pressure they snapped! Its not as if I was being heavy handed … Continue reading Just foiling around!
This classic caddis pattern is from the tying bench of well know American fly tyer Al Troth. This is probably the most well known caddis pattern in existence, and rightly so. The EHC as it is also known is one … Continue reading Elk Hair Caddis Step by step
Heres another tutorial for a simple but effective small seaweed pattern for Mullet. Continue reading Mullet salad
Deer hair is normally described as hollow, This doesn´t mean that it´s hollow like a drinking straw, but that each hair is built up of hundreds of small air filled cells. This type of hair structure is most defined in deer from areas with an extreme winter climate. The result, the colder it is, the better the spinning qualities, with some exceptions. The hair from our own reindeer and the north american caribou. In order to achieve optimal insulation, these hairs hold so many air cells that they have a tendency to be brittle, and break under the pressure of … Continue reading European Roe Deer hair tying material
A simple but effective shrimp for salt water sea trout. Yet another older video but they tying technique is still valid. Continue reading How to tie CdC shrimp video tutorial
If you are after a realistic sand eel, these are the way to go! This is the first time I have used the Deer Creek Fish Headz and I have to say they are the best self adhesive heads I have used to date. Available in a great selection of colours and sizes, I am glad to say even extra small which are the perfect size for salt water sea trout patterns. Unlike some of the other self adhesive heads these are already coated and are flexible, almost rubber like and adhere extremely well to the materials I have used … Continue reading Deer Creek Fish Headz
Another pattern for salt water sea trout that has been extremely productive for me over the years. Continue reading How to tie Fritz Shrimp video tutorial
The original zonker pattern was tied by the American fly tyer Dan Byford in the 1970s and was quickly recognised the world over, as a big fish fly and extremely easy to tie, yet realistic imitation for most smaller bait … Continue reading Another video tutorial for the Melt Glue Zonker or Virtual Minnow
Heres another video tutorial I made some time ago for the sea bass herring. A simple but effective pattern for salt water fishing using E-Z Body tube. This pattern can be adapted for many bait fish and eel patterns so … Continue reading Tying the sea Bass Herring
This is a video I made some years ago, but its quite easy to follow and all the basics are there, so give it a go. I have half a dozen or so more video tutorials that I will post … Continue reading Tying the Thunder Creek