1 regular wet fly hook 9–16 strands from a pheasant tail feather (or substitute strands of a similar tail feather) Copper wire 4 strands of course peacock tail fibers (often called “herl”) Several pheasant tail fibers 6/0 or 8/0 thread A whipping tool

Many fly vises also have a rotary action, which allows you to spin the hook and makes tying flies easier. Keep in mind that vises can be expensive. A nicer model can cost as much as $200, so budget accordingly.

Using the vise is also a safety precaution. None of the other elements of the fly can hurt you, but without a vise, the hook could easily slip and stab your thumb or hand.

So, if your hook is exactly 1 inch (2. 5 cm) long, make sure that the pheasant tail fibers extend 0. 5 in (2. 3 cm) past the business end of the hook (the sharp, curved end). Make sure you purchase your copper wire at a fly-fishing store. Copper wire from a craft store will be much thicker and harder to bend. [5] X Research source The piece of wire should be about twice as long as the hook itself.

In order to prevent the tip of the thread from hanging loose, wrap the first 2 or 3 loops of thread in a way that hold the tip firmly against the shaft of the hook. If looking at the small hook, feathers, and line strains your vision, consider looking through a magnifying glass or reading glasses, or using a pair of tweezers to handle the thread.

Let the thread hang down after you wrap.

Leave them loose at the end for the moment; you’ll pick them back up after you rib the fly.

Ribbing derives its name from the appearance of the copper wire when wrapped around the hook. It imitates the structure of ‘ribs’ on the sides of the nymph’s body.

You only need to wrap the bottom 1/3 of the fly at this point. Don’t wrap the whole thing, or you’ll smash the tail fibers and herl down.

Use a sharp pair of scissors to trip off any excess herl strands that extend past the point where you’ve tied the ‘thorax’ off.

These tied clumps will simulate the ‘legs’ of the nymph fly you’re tying. It’s fine if the herl strands extend back past the hook end of the fly.

Use the fingers of your free hand to hold the loose thread off to the side so it doesn’t get tangled.

Once you have whipped the fly, you can cut the 6/0 or 8/0 thread off at its base. The tie will not unravel.

the Hare’s ear[19] X Research source the Adams dry fly the wooly bugger.