How to Tie Mayfly Patterns

The mayfly is a widely distributed insect and a common food source for fish. The insect is imitated in the nymph and adult stages with size and colors that are adapted to match the subspecies. Mayfly nymphs are recognized by the three distinct tail paddles and gills along the abdomen. The adults are recognized by the two upright wings, long tail and delicate body. All mayflies have a head with separated eyes, an abdomen and a thorax. Numerous patterns are used to imitate the mayfly, with a general pheasant tail being appropriate in most situations.

Things You'll Need

  • Standard nymph hook, numbers10 to 18
  • Pheasant tail fibers
  • Peacock herl
  • Small copper wire
  • Head cement
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Instructions

    • 1

      Place the hook in the fly tying vise. Start the thread near the eye of the hook and wrap the thread forward to the bend in the hook.

    • 2

      Remove five or six pheasant tail fibers from a feather and measure to match the length of the hook shank. Hold the fibers on top of the hook and make five firm thread wraps to secure the fibers to the hook shank. Do not trim the base of the fibers from the hook.

    • 3

      Place a piece of copper wire against the side of the hook shank and make several thread wraps to secure the wire. Wrap the thread behind the base fibers and two-thirds of the way down the hook shank.

    • 4

      Wrap the base of the pheasant tail fibers down the hook shank to form the abdomen. Stop at the thread and make four firm wraps to secure the fibers. Cut away the excess base fibers. Wrap the wire in a diagonal pattern over the abdomen until you reach the thread. Make three firm thread wraps over the wire and trim away the excess.

    • 5

      Trim six to eight pheasant tail fibers away from a feather. Place the base of the fibers on the thread with the tips pointing towards the bend in the hook. Make four firm thread wraps to secure the base feathers.

    • 6

      Select four strands of peacock herl from a bunch and place the tips on the thread. Make three firm thread wraps to secure the tips in place. Wrap the thread to the eye in the hook. Wrap the peacock herl to form a thick ball. Stop when you reach the thread and make four firm wraps to secure the herl. Cut away the excess herl.

    • 7

      Pull the pheasant tail fibers over the top of the peacock herl to form a wing case. Make four firm thread wraps to secure the fibers in place. Use your fingers to divide the tips of the fibers and pull them along each side of the fly. Make three firm thread wraps to secure the fibers in place. The fibers represent mayfly legs on the fly.

    • 8

      Use a whip finishing tool to half hitch and secure the thread to the head of the fly. Cut away the thread and apply a small drop of head cement to reinforce the thread.