| TYPE: |
Weighted Fly |
| SIMULATES: |
Black Flying Ant |
| HABITAT: |
Rivers & Streams |
| DESIGNED TO TAKE: |
Trout |
| BACKGROUND: |
Another classic pattern originated by the late Ted Fay and perpetuated by Joe Kimsey and the Ted Fay Fly Shop, Dunsmuir, California, this fly designed to sate the local appetite for black ants. At times, it seems as if every local trout's stomach is filled with such fare. As with most of the Ted Fay patterns, the "Black Spent Wing" is heavily weighted for fishing the pocket waters in and around the upper Sacramento and McCloud rivers. |
| MATERIALS: |
| Hook: |
Size 8 Mustad 7948A TDE, Bronzed |
| Thread: |
Size A - 3/0 Black Waxed Nylon |
| Body: |
2-Ply Black 100% Orlon Acrylic Yarn |
| Head: |
Tying Thread |
| Hackle: |
Natural Grizzly Hackle |
| Tail: |
Natural Grizzly Hackle Barbs |
| Wings: |
Paired Natural Grizzly Hackle Tips |
| Weighting: |
2-Amp Fuse Wire |
|
| INSTRUCTIONS: |
- Flatten barb; hone point. Leave head space; wrap to bend. Tie tail barbs atop shank. Take one thread wrap behind and under barbs to spread fibers. Starting at tail base, wrap lead wire 8 turns forward. Secure with wide spiral thread wraps forward and back, then more closely together to prevent spreading lead coils.
- Immediately forward of lead, tie in 3 inch length of 2-strand yarn. Wrap to tail then forward one wrap short of start. Reverse and wrap one wrap short of tail. Reverse and wrap forward. Tie off at wing space. Trim excess yarn.
- Select matching grizzly hackle tips. Trim to equal lengths. Strip or trim off butt barbs for "comb" effect. Tie atop wing space, convex sides facing. Figure "8" wrap to splay slightly apart in vertical position. Trim excess butts.
- Select hackle feather. Trim off barbs closest to butt. Tie in at wing base; trim excess butt. Spin hackle 2 turns forward, 2 turns behind wing; tie off, trim excess tip. Form large head. Whip finish, clip thread. Lacquer.
Drawings Copyright © 1991, John F. McKim. All rights reserved.
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