How to Tie Flies & Streamers

Fly-fishing is a sport that requires lots of practice. The best fly-fishing is usually on a swift river, in shallow water. Unlike open face, or closed reel fishing, fly-fishing employs a technique of whipping and leading that's designed to imitate the nymph buzzing around the water surface. Many fly-fishermen prefer to tie their own flies. This is an art in itself because of the wide assortment of colors and styles of flies to choose from, as well as the technique of tying the fly and creating the streamers to represent the wings of the nymph.

Things You'll Need

  • Straight-eyed streamer hook: size 1 through 12
  • Monocord: size 3/0, in two different colors (your choice)
  • Mylar tubing: Select colors that best imitate the nymph or minnow you wish the fly to represent
  • White or silver calf-tail hair
  • Dark or dyed squirrel-tail hair
  • Scissors
  • Vise, or needle-nose pliers
  • Lead wire (optional)
  • Fast-acting adhesive
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Instructions

    • 1

      Place the curved hook end into the vise, or use needle-nose pliers to hold it in place. A vise is best because it leaves both your hands free for tying.

    • 2

      Place the colored thread onto the straight end of the hook, near the eyelet, and wrap it back to the curve leading into the hook. If you prefer to add weight, first wrap a lead wire--a lead weight that takes the form of a wire--onto the hook in the same manner, then tie it in place with the colored thread. Secure the lead with a drop of fast-acting adhesive for added security.

    • 3

      Cut a piece of dual colored Mylar tubing--slightly shorter than the hook length--and slide it in place over the hook. Loosely wrap thread over the Mylar tubing to fasten the tubing to the hook. Once the tubing is secure, tighten down the threading and cover each end of Mylar tubing with thread. You can use whatever color of tubing you prefer, depending on the type of fish you want to catch.

    • 4

      Make a loop with monofilament line and wrap it at least six times with your colored tying thread. This is the same as making a fisherman's knot. Create a loop by bending top line over, then wrap the thread around the bottom of the loop at least six times. Keep the tying thread held in place with your index finger, then trim down the thread with scissors, and place the end of the tying thread through the monofilament loop. Pull the loop through, then under the previous wrap, then pull it tight. Trim off the excess thread.

    • 5

      Wrap a different colored tying thread behind the hook eyelet, and loosely wrap it over the end of the Mylar tubing in six to eight wraps, no longer than a quarter inch over the tubing end. Slide the tubing toward the eyelet while simultaneously pulling the tying thread tight.

    • 6

      Place a tuft of white or silver calf-tail hair along the length of the hook. Tie the end of the hairs in place just behind the eyelet and fan the hairs out on the opposite end with your fingers. The tuft of hair should be as long as the hook. The calf-tail hairs will imitate the nymph wings.

    • 7

      Place a tuft of dark or dyed squirrel-tail hair over the calf-tail hair and tie it in place just as in step 6. Add a drop of adhesive on the end of the fake nymph wing base. This will add color to the nymph wings. You can add another tuft of different colored squirrel-tail hair if you wish to add more color.

    • 8

      Trim the thread with scissors, then add a drop of adhesive to secure the tying thread end behind the eyelet. Don't glue the eyelet. Allow the fly to dry and you're ready to go fishing.