How to Tie Fishing Flies With Propellers Added

For some fly fishermen, the goal of fishing is to catch fish using only on the most natural-looking flies possible. But for others, the goal is to have fun and catch fish on any fly that works. Tying a propeller to the front of streamer flies can increase the number of fish you catch. The fly may not look natural, but it will catch more fish. Tying these flies is something anyone can do with common fly-tying tools.

Things You'll Need

  • Propellers
  • Barbless streamer hooks
  • Metal beads
  • Fly-tying thread
  • Thread bobbin
  • Fly-tying vise
  • Head cement
  • Fly-tying scissors
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Instructions

    • 1

      Mount the fly-tying vise on a table. Choose the color thread you intend to use to tie the fly. Mount the thread on the bobbin. String the thread through the hole in the bobbin.

    • 2

      Tighten the hook on the fly-tying vise. Attach the thread to the hook by wrapping it around the hook several times. Approximately 1/16 inch from the head of the hook, wrap the thread around the hook approximately 20 times. Tie off the thread and cut it. You will be left with a small ball of thread near the top of the hook.

    • 3

      Remove the hook from the vise. Slide the propeller over the pointed end of the hook, around the bend in the hook and over the ball of thread until it stops at the top of the hook.

    • 4

      Slide the bead up the pointed end of the hook around the bend of the hook until it seats on the small ball of thread. If the bead is loose, attach more thread. Slide the bead off the ball of thread and put several drops of glue on the thread. Slide the bead back on the thread and let it dry for several minutes.

    • 5

      Mount the fly back on the fly-tying vise. Tie the rest of the fly as you would any streamer fly. The head of the fly should lay just behind the bead. After the fly is complete, spin the propeller by hand to ensure it moves freely. If the head of the fly interferes with the propeller, use scissors to nip free any fly material.