Paul's May 2016 Fly of the Month

May Day May Fly

(Back & Wine Colored)

 

Hook:  Jig Hook Size #10-#18.  I use Allen Fly Fishing J100 BL hooks.

Tying thread:   UTC 70 denier Black.

Bead:  Black tungsten bead (I like to use rainbow colored beads).

Tail:  Cul de Leon feather fibers.

Abdomen:  Black Holographic tinsel.

Rib:   Wine colored Ultra-wire ‘brassie’ sized wire.

Thorax:  Black Semi-Seal Dubbing (I also use Black Ice Dub).

“You want to get down to the bottom where the fish are?”  Use a jig hook with a tungsten bead.  I’m fishing more and more nymphs tied on a jig hook when I want to fish deep.  Most “tactical” jig hooks are barbless and extremely sharp.  When you’re playing a fish make sure you keep constant tension on your line.  As easy as it is to hook a fish with these sharp hooks, it’s also easy for the hook to dislodge from the fish when line tension is relaxed.

This pattern is very easy to tie.  You don’t have to tie it in Black & Wine.  Try olive with a chartreuse wire rib, brown with a yellow wire rib, or any colors you want to experiment with.  Begin by placing your black tungsten bead on the hook.  You can use a “slotted bead” if you desire.  I find that traditional beads work fine in most cases.  Next begin your thread behind the bead and wind down to the bend of the hook.  Tie in your Cul de Leon fibers to create a tail.  The tail should be approximately the length of the hook shank.  Next, tie in your wine colored wire for a rib.  Tie in a strand of Black holographic tinsel to be used for the abdomen.   Bring your thread up behind the bead.  Wrap your black tinsel forward to create your abdomen.  You are going to leave enough room to dub your thorax behind the bead.  Tie and cut it off.  Rib the abdomen with your wine colored wire.  Cut and tie it off.  Next dub your black thorax.  Whip finish behind the bead.  Apply a drop of head cement if you so desire.

Below is a great instructional video by Gilbert Rowley of Fly tying 123 on how to tie this pattern:

If you have any questions about this fly or would like to submit a Fly of the Month, I can be reached at 203 305-3850 or e-mail me at pdinice@frontier.com .