This
fly uses a different method to that used in the
traditional tying. Instead of ending up with a rigid,
varnished abdomen, this fly remains soft and flexible
so that when taken by the fish it lasts and lasts
without falling apart. Because it is flexible it
is also held longer by the fish before being rejected
as artificial so hooking is more successful.
Effect
required.
A
perfect representation of a Danica Mayfly
Hook:
As required, (shown here with a Mustad Sedge hook)
Thread: Brown 6/0
Hackle: Fiery Brown grizzled
Wing: Natural Grey CDC
Body: Elk hair
Rib: Brown Flexifloss
Tying
Method.
Extended
body (For this you will need a darning needle or
a tube fly needle)
1)
Place darning needle in the vise with the point
facing away from the jaws
2) Start the tying thread in the needle with the
minimum tuns possible to get a grip. Once secure
take a bunch of Elk hair and tie to the needle by
the butts. This is one time where the hair stacker
is not required. Once secure catch in the flexifloss
and tie off the whipping with three half hitches.
Add varnish to secure the threads.
3) At the pointy end of the needle catch the thread
on to the needle again. Smooth the hair down and
tie in with a few turns of the thread.
4) Wind the flexifloss over the whippings three
times and rib down the body under tension so that
the ribbing makes slight bulges in the Elk hair.
Tie in at the tail end and finish off with three
half hitches. Varnish to seal threads at both ends
and LET THE VARNISH DRY.
5) Once dry take hold of each tying point and quickly
slide the body off the needle. You should have a
perfect body with the flexifloss squeezing everything
together nicely.
The
fly
1)
Catch the thread on the hook and tie about 4mm of
thread up and down the hook next to the eye and
leave the thread at the back.
2) Tie in the Body to the required length and cut
off the excess. Wind the thread over the cut ends
(this forms a slope on which we lay the wings)
3) Take 3-4 fluffy CDC feathers and tie in in front
of the slope formed by the body. Whip the feathers
with a circular motion so that they stand vertical
from the hook. This will be the base for the parachute
hackle.
4) Tie in a hackle feather with a fibre length twice
the gape of the hook as close to the base of the
wing as possible.
5) Add a spot of varnish to the wing post base and
begin wrapping the hackle while the varnish is still
wet.
6) When fully would, tie on the end of the hackle
in front of the wing as close as you can (You may
have to lift the hackle out of the way to do this).
Form a neat head to the fly, whip finish and varnish
al of the exposed thread.
7) to finish the fly apply a drop of varnish to
the wing base where the hackle sits to seal it.
8) With a pair of fine pointed scissors cut the
excess hair points away leaving 4-5 as the tails.
