Hi guys and gals, have been tying these solidly for a few days now ready for mayfly season and a swap on another forum. Thought I would give my first ever step-by-step a go to try and break up the tying a bit. Hopefully this is alright.
Hook: Size 8-10 B400
Tail: Pheasant tail fibres
Abdomen: Tan, Wapsi superfine dubbing
Rib: Black spanflex
Thorax: Hares ear
Wing: White calf tail
Hackle: Grizzle cock
Step 1: Attach the thread and take it down to opposite the barb.
Step 2: Tie in a bunch of half a dozen PT fibres about equal to the length of the hook shank.
Step 3: Align the tips of a medium sized bunch of calf tail (about a good pinch) and tie in so it extends over the eye by about a hook shanks length.
Step 4: (probably the most important step) cut the butt end of the calf tail so that it forms a neat taper. If it is not neat the body will be bumpy.
Step 5: Wrap the butt ends down and form a neat tapered abdomen (the thorax area should be relatively flat ready for the hackle.
Step 6: Tie in the spandex for the rib and dub the abdomen.
Step 7: Wind the rib and tie in the hackle (barbs should be about the gape of the hook).
Step 8: Dub the thorax with hares mask so the thread ends up at the back of the thorax. Wind the hackle through the hares ear and then tie it down by winding the thread back through the hackle to the eye.
Step 9: Make a few turns under the calfs tail to make a neat head and lift the wing. Varnish and you're finished.
Now repeat 14 times
Cheers for reading.
Dan
Calf-tail mayfly
Fly looks a good'n as well ....
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