Ok, last one of 2006. The Zuluka. A Zulu/Matuka hybrid from, I believe, Steve Parton.

HOOK – L/S 10
THREAD – BLACK 8/0
TAIL – Fluorescent Red Floss
RIB – Silver Oval
BODY – Black Chenille
WING – 6 Black Cock Hackles
COLLAR – Black Cock


STEP 1
Wrap the thread down the body catching in the tail as you go.



Followed by the rib.



STEP 2
Expose the core of the chenille by stripping with your fingers.




Then tie in and wrap the thread to the head.



STEP 3
Wrap the chenille to form the body. Trim the tail.



STEP 4
Prepare the hackles for the “Matuka” wing by striping the lower fibres, which will lay on top of the body. You will need to strip 3 hackles for each side of the wing.



Once you have both pairs of 3 hackles prepared place them together, dull sides innermost and offer up to the hook.



Then tie down at the head.



STEP 5
Holding the wing wet the fibres and stroke them up.



Then take the rib through the hackles trapping the wing as you go. Try not to catch any of the wing fibres and check that you keep the wing central on the back.



STEP 6
Mount and wind the head hackle for the completed fly.






I hope you have all enjoyed the step by steps and hope you have learned from them. I know I have had great enjoyment doing them and have also learned much in the process. I would like to extend a personal thank you to Hans Weilenmann who has been kind enough to offer hints, tips and constructive criticism, all of which have helped improve my own tying and also how I present the step by steps. Not perfect yet, but getting there.

Finally hands up all of you who have observed that, except for two requests, In the last 26 step by steps I have gone through the Alphabet with pattern choice.


Thank you all for your kind comments and see you all in 2007 with more of my ham fisted attempts.

__________________

ukflydressing A UK based fly tying site packed full of flyting tips and photographic step by steps. Now with added fly fishing section.

Dennis,
Have really enjoyed your step by steps and have printed a number of them for Josh and I to try. Keep up the great work as they have been very helpful for a couple of beginners.
Hadn't realised you were going thru the alphabet, what's next years aim?
A happy and prosperous New Year to you and everyone on the forum.

Ian

Thanks for all your extremely interesting and very informative posts in 2006 Dennis; I have them all saved and refer to them whilst I am tying without using the INTERNET. You just don't know what is likely to get deleted these days and I won't risk losing my store of information.

Happy New Year and tight lines in 2007.

Steve