This month’s fly should be tied in four parts. The plan is to production tie. Complete step one on 10 or 6 hooks. Then step two on all the hooks etc, until you have the finished product. Keep them in order if you are a new fly tier. This way the last 3 or 4 flies will be the best.

Materials

• Hook: Mustad size 4 Shrimp hook
• Thread: Pink
• Eyes: Dumbbell RED. Colour with red nail polish if you don’t have red.
• Legs: Orange poly yarn or some pink crystal tape
• Wing: Cross-cut rabbit strips. Pink, natural tan, or fluoro pink.

You may be able to find cheap nail polish in places like K-Mart.

Measure the length of 1½ flies and cut the rabbit strips. Slide your scissors along the strip and under the fur. This way you won’t lose too many when you cut. When you put the strip on the hook (step three) the distance is just short of the eye of the hook.

Tying Instructions

Part One

1. Make a lump of thread where you want the eyes to sit.
2. Tie in the eyes and coat with Sally Hansen’s
3. Whip finish.
4. Remove the hook from the vise and make nine or five more.

Part Two

1. Cover hook with the thread.
2. From halfway tie in two Sillilegs for the feelers.
3. Make a wrap between them to keep them apart.
4. Tie in the orange poly yarn or the orange crystal tape.
5. Cover the hook with touching wraps.
6. Figure-eight the yarn or tape over the eyes.
7. Tie off in front of the eyes.
8. Whip finish.
9. Remove the hook and make nine or five more.

Part Three

1. Measure length of 1½ hooks.
2. Slide the scissors between the fur.
3. Cut the rabbit strips to length.
4. Place the hook upside down in the vise.
5. Put the rabbit strips on the hook.
6. Front should be just measuring to just behind the hook eye.
7. Remove the hook and make nine or five more.

Part Four

1. Hook in the vise and attach thread in front of the eye.
2. Dampen your finger and move the rabbit fur away from the front.
3. Tie in the rabbit strip.
4. Make sure the strip is up against the body of the fly.
5. Whip finish and coat head with Sally or UV resin if you want.
6. Trim the legs
7. Finish the other nine or five flies.