How to Tie Howie Flies

What is now known as the "Howie Fly" owes its origins to Howie's Tackle of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. These small, multi-colored flies use a tri-hook and are effective when fly fishing for steelhead, trout and salmon. This fly is attractive to the fish due to the flashing colors of the tail and the multi-colored beads lining the hook shank. Tying your own Howie let's you use whatever color combination you deem for your particular stream or lake.

Things You'll Need

  • Tri-hook, sizes 2 to 4
  • Vinyl or rubber marabou threads (colors of your choice)
  • 2 to 4 small colored egg beads
  • Fly tying vise
  • Wax thread
  • Clippers
  • Needle-nose pliers (optional)
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Instructions

    • 1

      Thread the beads over the main shank of the tri-hook. Insert the shank of the hook onto the fly-tying vise.

    • 2

      Place the multi-colored marabou threads off the back of the hook so the barbs are hidden in the marabou.

    • 3

      Wrap the wax thread around the shank of the hook and around the neck (where the marabou fibers attach to the hook) of the marabou. Wrap at least six to eight times, trim the wax thread and tie to the shank.

    • 4

      Push the marabou to feather it up and make it look like a collar. Remove the Howie Fly from the vise.