Post by jrock on Mar 17, 2007 22:32:34 GMT -4
Tying a Standard Dry Fly with Hackle Tip Wings
Adams
The Adams may be the most popular dry fly ever. It represents tying a standard hackle tip wing dry fly.
First wrap a thread base onto the hook to the bend. Note where the thread is hanging, about the center of the barb. This is the end of the shank and where almost all tying should end. It is rare to tie materials on a dry fly past this point.
Next tie in a few brown and grizzly hackle fibers for the tail. The length of the tail fibers extending out from the thread should be about the length of the shank of the hook. Then wrap the thread forward to the wing tie in point. Select two matching grizzly hackle tips for the wing. The hackles will have a natural bend in them, place them so they bend away from each other. Many tiers recommend using hen hackle for the wings as the outline is more rounded and, well, wing-shaped. They are also cheaper so you don't waste a rooster hackle just for a wing.
Strip the barbules off the bottom of the hackle stem and trim the stems so they don't extend all the way down the shank. You want just enough stem to tie down with a couple turns of thread. The wings when standing upright should be about 1 1/2 time the gape of the hook. Tie the wings in laying down over the eye of the hook. Note where the thread ends up on the hook. There is plenty of room ahead of the wing base to the eye for hackle and a head.
Gently pull the wings upright and take a turn of thread in front of the wings at the base to hold them upright. Separate the wings into a slight V shape and take two figure 8 turns of thread between the wings to hold them apart. The wind the thread to the rear of the hook where the tail fibers were tied in.
Dub fine gray fur on the thread and wrap the dubbed thread forward to a position behind the wings. The body should taper very slightly, getting larger toward the wings. Leave plenty of room between the end of the dubbing and the wings to tie in the hackles.
Tie in one brown hackle and one grizzly hackle behind the wings. The hackle should be tied in with the shiny side facing you and the dull side away. Trim the stems so there is just enough stem to tie in securely. Next wrap the thread forward to the tie off position behind the eye. Leave room between that position and the eye of the hook to create the head.
Wrap the grizzly hackle forward taking two or three turns behind the wings and two or three turns in front of the wings and tie off at the thread position. Trim the excess hackle.
Now wind the brown hackle forward in the same way as the grizzly and tie it off at the same position.
Take a few turns of thread to secure things and build a small head. Whip finish then cement if desired.
Adams
The Adams may be the most popular dry fly ever. It represents tying a standard hackle tip wing dry fly.
First wrap a thread base onto the hook to the bend. Note where the thread is hanging, about the center of the barb. This is the end of the shank and where almost all tying should end. It is rare to tie materials on a dry fly past this point.
Next tie in a few brown and grizzly hackle fibers for the tail. The length of the tail fibers extending out from the thread should be about the length of the shank of the hook. Then wrap the thread forward to the wing tie in point. Select two matching grizzly hackle tips for the wing. The hackles will have a natural bend in them, place them so they bend away from each other. Many tiers recommend using hen hackle for the wings as the outline is more rounded and, well, wing-shaped. They are also cheaper so you don't waste a rooster hackle just for a wing.
Strip the barbules off the bottom of the hackle stem and trim the stems so they don't extend all the way down the shank. You want just enough stem to tie down with a couple turns of thread. The wings when standing upright should be about 1 1/2 time the gape of the hook. Tie the wings in laying down over the eye of the hook. Note where the thread ends up on the hook. There is plenty of room ahead of the wing base to the eye for hackle and a head.
Gently pull the wings upright and take a turn of thread in front of the wings at the base to hold them upright. Separate the wings into a slight V shape and take two figure 8 turns of thread between the wings to hold them apart. The wind the thread to the rear of the hook where the tail fibers were tied in.
Dub fine gray fur on the thread and wrap the dubbed thread forward to a position behind the wings. The body should taper very slightly, getting larger toward the wings. Leave plenty of room between the end of the dubbing and the wings to tie in the hackles.
Tie in one brown hackle and one grizzly hackle behind the wings. The hackle should be tied in with the shiny side facing you and the dull side away. Trim the stems so there is just enough stem to tie in securely. Next wrap the thread forward to the tie off position behind the eye. Leave room between that position and the eye of the hook to create the head.
Wrap the grizzly hackle forward taking two or three turns behind the wings and two or three turns in front of the wings and tie off at the thread position. Trim the excess hackle.
Now wind the brown hackle forward in the same way as the grizzly and tie it off at the same position.
Take a few turns of thread to secure things and build a small head. Whip finish then cement if desired.