How to Tie Emerald Shiners

The Emerald Shiner is a small bait fish that is prevalent in Canada, the Midwest and the Great Lakes. The bait fish is a food source utilized by numerous different species and flies are used to mimic the bait fish on a regular basis. Tying Emerald Shiners requires minimal materials and basic fly-tying skills. The flies are simple and use a combination of flash and fur to create the slender profile of the bait fish. The addition of eyes also adds movement to the fly.

Things You'll Need

  • Fly-tying vise
  • 3XL streamer hook
  • 3/0 white thread
  • Lead eyes
  • White bucktail
  • Silver flash
  • Whip finisher
  • Head cement
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Instructions

  1. Bucktail Emerald Shiner

    • 1

      Place the hook in the vise and secure it in the jaws. Wrap the thread beginning at the eye of the hook and stop one-third of the way up the hook shank.

    • 2

      Hold the lead eyes on the top of the hook and make figure-eight wraps with the thread to secure the eyes to the hook. Stop the thread between the eyes and the eye of the hook.

    • 3

      Cut a clump of bucktail from a patch of fur. Measure the bucktail to match twice the length of the hook. Hold the bucktail on the top of the hook and make 10 firm thread wraps to secure it in place. Wrap the thread forward, covering the bucktail until you are in front of the eyes. Return the thread to the point between the eyes and the eye of the hook.

    • 4

      Remove the hook from the vise and turn it upside down in the jaws. Cut a small clump of silver flash from a bunch and measure it slightly longer than the bucktail. Hold it on the hook and make 10 firm wraps of thread to secure it in place.

    • 5

      Cut a second clump of bucktail and measure it to match the first. Hold it on the hook and make 10 wraps to secure it in place. Wrap the thread to form a thread head and use a whip finisher to knot it in place. Cut the thread away from the hook. Add a drop of head cement to the head.