Crease Fly Tying Instructions

Angler with fishing rod in the river. image by Mladenov from Fotolia.com

Crease fly tying is a process of making artificial fishing baits that mimic bait fish so named because the process involves folding the components in half. The process has several steps. While these steps are only moderately difficult, you'll want to follow all instructions carefully if you want your crease fly to realistically mimic a bait fish. This means using good coloration and an accurate fit. It's important to know that crease fly tying is a technique that can be used to create different patterns. Thus you can choose any color scheme or length that is right for the bait fish you wish to mimic.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

Hook
Thread
Bucktail or ultra-hair
Foam
Scissors
Metallic Mylar film
Waterproof color markers
Glue

Step 1

Use standard thread to cover a long-shank hook. The hook must be long enough to duplicate the size of the bait fish you are imitating as well as have enough length to accommodate a wide hook gap.

Step 2

Use bucktail or ultra-hair to create a tail that matches the general length of the bait fish you want to imitate. Use any color scheme. Tie off with a whip finish (see Tips section).

Step 3

Cut a piece of foam to create the foam body of the fly. For example, cut out a rectangle that is the length of the distance between the hook eye and the bend, and as wide as the gap of the hook. You can also create your own unique design. Measure the profile for both sides of the body for symmetry.

Step 4

Add coloration to the foam with waterproof color markers or metallic chrome paint markers.

Step 5

Glue the foam body onto the hook. Place the foam on the hook and position it correctly. Add 2 to 3 small drops of glue to the foam. Use your thumb and index finger to hold the foam as you glue it into place.

Step 6

Press the foam down to help the glue set.

Step 7

Add a small drop of glue to the tail to glue it into place.

Step 8

Press down on the top of the foam to lengthen the opening.

Step 9

Allow glue to set before submerging in water.

Tips & Warnings

Crease fly kits are available at fly shops.

Crease fly kits offer adhesive-backed foam and sheets of metallic foil for easy application of color and flash. Remove the protective covering from the top side of the foam to reveal the adhesive side. Press the metallic Mylar film against the foam and hold it there until it sticks.

To tie a whip finish:

Make a loop by circling a thread around your fingers. Pass around to the front of the thread as the line comes off of the fly. Flip your hands, but keep the thread snug. Let your ring finger guide the loop and thread it over the hook shank. Twist and wrap the thread over the hook shank to completely secure it. Remove one finger from the loop. Set the loop tightly against the shank. Cut off the excess thread.

The more glue you add the more time the jig will take to set.

Article Written By Charlie Gaston

Charlie Gaston has written numerous instructional articles on topics ranging from business to communications and estate planning. Gaston holds a bachelor's degree in international business and a master's degree in communications. She is fluent in Spanish and has extensive travel experience.

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