How to Construct a Basic fly
Last updated 20:36 02/11/00
The following series of photographs will give you an insight into the basic construction of a fly.
In this instance it is a traditional wet fly known as a Black Pennell.
This first picture shows the materials and tools that will be required.
In this case black tying thread, black floss, silver wire, tippet feathers from the neck of a golden pheasant and a black hen cape.
The tools required are a bobbin holder, scissors, hackle pliers and a vice to hold the hook while we tie.
This picture shows the first wraps of thread being caught onto the hook.
The loose end is trapped and then over wrapped.
All flies are formed from a continual run of thread which in turn is used to catch in
the other materials. Maintaining the tension on the thread is of utmost importance
and this is done between sequences by the weight of the bobbin holder
The floss and the wire, which will form the body of the fly, are caught in.
The thread is then continued to just before the bend of the hook-trapping down the ends
of the floss & wire as it goes. The wraps of thread are done in "touching turns" to ensure
a strong and even underbody.
Half a dozen pieces of pheasant tippet are offered up to form the tail of the fly.
These are trapped down by the tying thread in a "pinch & loop" movement that ensures they are tied in on top of the hook.
The tying thread is then wound back up the hook in touching turns trapping in the tail fibres as it goes.
The black floss is now wound on to form a smooth, even body.
It is taken up to the eye of the hook where it is tied down with the thread and any excess floss is cut off.
The silver wire is now wound up the body in open turns to produce a rib. Any excess is again cut off.
Now a feather from the neck of a black hen is chosen and prepared for tying in.
Attention should be paid to the length of the fibres to keep everything in proportion.
The hackle is now wound on with the help of the hackle pliers.
Two to three turns will be sufficient.
As it is wound you can see the fibres splaying out.
The hackle is then caught in with
a couple of turns of thread and the waste cut off.
Thread is now wound on over the trimmed off ends to produce a small rounded head to the fly.
The tying thread is now tied off itself using either a couple of half hitches or better still a whip finish
Finally the excess thread is cut off and a small drop of cellulose varnish is applied to the head of the fly.
This helps to secure the thread and also finishes off the fly well.
The Finished Fly
Click the fly for Close-up
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