The Wild Fishing Forum

This fly was one of my submissions to a fly swap on another board. The theme of the swap was a hackled fly, but the hackle must not come from a bird! I have named it the S & M for obvious reasons. (No not that one!!)
The method of forming the hackle, although a bit fiddly is actually quite easy.


Instructions assume-right handed tyers

HOOK ? Kamasan B170  #16
SILK ? Pearsall?s Orange
BODY ? Touch Dubbed Mole Fur
HACKLE ? Fox Squirrel Back Fur


STEP 1
Attach the silk and wrap to the desired length. As you can see here I have tied this one ?Clyde? style. Also note the gap left at the eye for the hackle, this will help avoid bulk at the head.

(http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g8/scotfly/flies/SM-4.jpg)

STEP 2
              Apply a light coating of tacky wax to the thread then ?touch? dub it with mole fur.

(http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g8/scotfly/flies/SM-6.jpg)

(http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g8/scotfly/flies/SM-7.jpg)

Then wrap to form the lightly dubbed body.

(http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g8/scotfly/flies/SM-8.jpg)

STEP 3
            Prepare the fox squirrel by taking the pelt.

(http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g8/scotfly/flies/SM.jpg)

Use a bulldog clip to trap the some of the back fur. You can vary the amount of fur you trap according to the lightness or fullness of pattern you want.

(http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g8/scotfly/flies/SM-1.jpg)

Then cut the fur close to the skin.

(http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g8/scotfly/flies/SM-2.jpg)

Finally tease the under-fur out to leave the prepared hackle fibre.

(http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g8/scotfly/flies/SM-3.jpg)

STEP 4
           Spin the silk clock-wise and form a dubbing loop. (Anti-clockwise if you are using modern threads such as UTC, Bennechi, etc)

(http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g8/scotfly/flies/SM-9.jpg)

STEP 5
          Insert the prepared ?hackle? into the loop and release it from the clip. Hold the silk under tension just below the loop to hold the fibres in place.

(http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g8/scotfly/flies/SM-10.jpg)

If necessary adjust the fibres for length then carefully trim the butts close to the loop.

(http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g8/scotfly/flies/SM-11.jpg)

Finally, spin the bobbin anti-clockwise (clockwise for modern threads) to close the loop and flare the ?hackle?

(http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g8/scotfly/flies/SM-12.jpg)

STEP 6
           Hold the loop up and stroke the fibres back.

(http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g8/scotfly/flies/SM-13.jpg)

(http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g8/scotfly/flies/SM-14.jpg)

STEP 7
             Wind the hackle in close touching turns towards the eye, sweeping the fibres with each turn.

(http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g8/scotfly/flies/SM-15.jpg)

STEP 8
           Finally tidy everything up, whipfinish and varnish for the completed fly.

(http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g8/scotfly/flies/SM-16.jpg)