Sorry about the inconstant quality of the photos – but you will get the picture. This is my newest tying method and it improves floatability.
Materials:
Hook: Fulling Mill Grab Gape 35025 size 10
Sheet of black 2mm craft foam
Thread: Sheer 14/0 black
Veniard Glister Peacock dubbing or similar
Post material of your choice
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Place Hook Fulling Mill Grab Gape 35025 size 10 in vice
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Lay down a thread base, cut a strip of black craft foam, 4mm wide by 5 cm long. Cut a point. Do not scrimp on the length or is will make the fly difficult to tie.
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Tie in at the point as shown.
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Apply a layer of super glue. This is essential.
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Tie down the foam as shown using only 4 wraps. The gue will hold it down. If you bind it down hard with multiple wraps you will damage the floatability of the fly. This is why you need the glue.
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Take some Peacock Glister Dubbing
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Chop it into ½ " bunches.
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Dub the body front to back, do not crush the foam below it.
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Pull the foam back and tie down.
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Pull the foam forward about 1/3 of the body length and tie down
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Add the back legs, two per side leave them long
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Use a clip to hold the legs back out of the way.
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Pull the foam up to the eye and bind down.
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Pull the foam back to make the haed. Do not make it small, you want it about 1/3 of the body length..
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Add the front legs, two per side leave them long
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Use a clip to hold all the legs except the foremost two out of the way. That's the two in front of where the sighting post will be.
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Add the post colour of your choice This is florescent yellow Aero Wing.
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Trim the post.
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Trim the foam leaving an obvious stub - this supports the post, then the legs – Do not make them short and stubby, you want them each at least 20mm long. This gives the fly movement and life.
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Pick out the dubbing – this is the reason for cutting it into ½ " bunches – the staple is too long otherwise and makes picking out very difficult without damaging the fly.
Nice SBS Fred, going to tie a few of these up once I unpack the tying gear.
Brilliant idear ill have a go at this later , I think I got an old mouse mat that will work . if they look presentable I'll post a PIC
I like the look of that Fred. The proportions between hook and fly look better than the one I nicked off you as well.
Good idea with the clip to hold the legs out of the way.
Alex
The clip is a handy tying aid.
Babless hooks can be a bit wiry and weak, but these Fulling Mill Grab Gape 35025 are strong and hold big fish no problem.
Top tips for this fly - leave the legs l.......o.......n.......g ........................................... it's not a stubby beetle. I am pretty sure this is why it works so well :8)