You know how it is. You wake up to the alarm clock radio. Without realising it you find yourself humming that song. But where did it come from? It’s the one that woke you on the radio .And it just keeps popping back into your head. And if it was a commercial radio station you are completely stuffed. It’s subliminal.
Well this month I have a similar problem. I woke up with an idea for a fly. The materials were there in my head and I just need to put them together. And it has to be an Extremely Simple Fly. Every Single Facet of the fly is there. It just needs putting together. Eventually Something Formed in the grey matter and this is the result. I guess if you have got this far then you are a diehard and I Expect Swinging Fluff is a passion. So onward and upward:
This is the materials list:
Thread: Veevus 16/0
Hook: Orvis Extra Super Fine Dry fly 1523 size 12
Body: Extended Soft Fly Body (This is a Green Drake)
Hackle: Extra Stiff Fibred Genetic Cock hackle. This is Natural Dun
Thorax Cover: Equal Sided Foam. Any colour
Thorax: European Snowshoe Fur (Pale Cream)
Wing: European Snowshoe Fur (Cream)
Head: Equal Sided Foam.
Prior to tying the fly we need to put the hook into the Extended Soft Fur body like this. Then mount it in your vice.
Now we start the thread on the hook and tie down the Extended Soft Fur body like so.
The Equal Sided Foam is also tied in at the same time. Some is pushed into the hollow body to make the body Ever So Floatable and thus aid these properties in the completed fly.
This picture shows a hump formed with the Equal Sided Foam. This again will make the fly’s Extra Super Floating properties even more so.
The next stage is to fold the foam back and then tie in the hackle and the European Snowshoe Fur for the thorax. Wrap the fur over the Equal Sided Foam to form a neat thorax.
Select a pinch of the cream European Snowshoe Fur. What we need is the long guard hair from the underside of the foot. Tie it in so it Extends Slightly Forward of the eye.
The next move is to bring the hackle in an Exaggerated Spiral Forward. Tie off the hackle. The Extra Stiff Fibres are another part of the Extra Super Floating properties.
Lift the European Snowshoe Fur up to allow the Extra Stiff Fibres to be tied off. Trim the waste.
Now split the European Snowshoe Fur in two to create an Even Set For the wings. These will be a set in spinner style. Take a couple of wraps over the Equal Sided Foam and do not trim. Take the Veevus back behind the thorax.
I am using Veevus because it’s Ever So Fine yet strong and does not create build-up of bulk.
Bring the Equal Sided Foam back and tie down. With the material now Effectively Solidly Fixed we can trim the excess away as shown.
Do not trim too short. Whip finish at the Exact Spot Foam was trimmed.
The finished fly shows the Effect Stretching Foam back over the thorax has in keeping the eye clear. As you can see it’s an Extremely Simple Fly. I guess I should name the thing the ESF in honour of the e-zine’s birthday! And I guess by now now you will have seen my recurring theme? It’s like the commercial radio ad. Subliminal!
Tight lines and don’t forget to Eat Sleep Fish!