Tying Instructions for an Alaskabou Fly

Developed by Alaskan guide George Cook, this fly is one of a series of flies called the Alaskabou series. The Alaskabou is a simple yet effective fly used for catching salmon and steelhead trout. These flies are also very popular in British Columbia and the Pacific Northwest. The Alaskabou can be tied in several color combinations, such as blue and purple, orange and red, black and blue, and yellow and green.

Things You'll Need

  • Fly tying vise
  • Salmon or Steelhead hook sizes 2/0 to 6
  • Bobbin with orange or red 6/0 tying thread.
  • Medium lead wire
  • Blue and purple marabou quills or other color combination
  • Rainbow crystal flash
  • Blue saddle hackle
  • Scissors
  • Head cement
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Instructions

    • 1

      Secure your hook in the fly-tying vise and wind the thread around the hook shank to the hook bend. Wind it back to the hook eye.

    • 2

      Take a medium lead wire and attach it at the head of the hook with the thread. Wind the wire around the hook shank, and cut it off at the hook bend. Wrap the thread around the lead wire to the bend and wind it back to the head of the hook. Adding lead wire to the fly will make it sink faster.

    • 3

      Add the blue marabou at the head and tie it down. Tie in the purple marabou on top of that and trim the excess. Make a couple of wraps with the thread to secure the loose ends.

    • 4

      Take some strands of crystal flash, and tie them in on both sides of the fly. Add a blue saddle hackle feather and tie it in at the head.

    • 5

      Wrap the hackle around the head of the fly to create a collar. Trim off any excess material, and wind the thread at the eye several times to form a neat head. Whip finish the thread and add cement to the head of the fly.