Making Fly Fishing Flies

Author Photo

Making fishing flies brings out the creativity in anglers as they painstakingly craft flies that will fool their quarry into biting. This guide helps you create the Glo Bug, the famous egg-imitating fly used to catch salmon, steelhead and trout.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

Fly-tying vise Thread Hook Yarn Sharp scissors Small brush
Fly-tying vise
Thread
Hook
Yarn
Sharp scissors
Small brush

Step 1

Place the hook on the vise. Take your thread and wrap a base layer on the hook from behind the eye to halfway down the shank. This will keep the fly from slipping on the hook.

Step 2

Cut three pieces of yarn, such as Glo Bug Yarn, into 1-inch strips. Lay the strips on the hook and wrap the thread around the center of the strips four or five times. This will cause the yarn to stick up straight.

Step 3

Pull the yarn up and make three wraps of thread around the base of the yarn strips.

Step 4

Hold the yarn with one hand and cut the yarn 1/2-inch above the hook in a half-moon shape. It pays to have sharp scissors for this step so you can cut through the yarn in one easy motion.

Step 5

Use the brush to smooth out the yarn. Trim any excess fibers. The resulting round ball of yarn on the hook represents a trout or salmon egg. This classic fly has been catching fish for years from Alaska to New York.

Resources

Article Written By Brian M. Kelly

Brian M. Kelly has been freelance writing since 2003. His work has been published in respected outdoor magazines such as Outdoor Life, Great Lakes Angler and Salmon Trout Steelheader. He holds an associate's degree in automated machine design from Macomb College.

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