Tight Lines Fly Fishing: Paul's September 2023 Bonus Fly of the Month

Albie Whore

Hook: Mustad 34007 Size #1 or #2 depending on the Size of Fly to match bait.

Thread: White, UTC 140 Denier, or White Danville Flat Waxed, or Mono

Tail: Two White or Tan Saddle Hackle Feathers splayed outward. Two strands of Pearlescent Krystal Flash on each side.

Body: Pearlescent Chenille or Estaz in Chartreuse, Pink or Tan. Flanked by two more Saddle Hackles, splayed outward, the length of the body and tail; with a strip of Lateral Line on each side the length of Body & Tail. All affixed by a Hot Glue Gun or UV Resin.

Eyes: Stick on flat 1/8” eyes.

This fly was designed by a fly fisher by the name of Richard Reagan. My preferred color for this fly has a Pink Body. Although fished mostly for False albacore, it is a great striper fly as well. There is great debate on whether to use a Hot Glue Gun or UV Resin when tying this fly. There was no UV Resin when this fly first became popular. Today, some claim that tying the Whore with a glue gun makes the fly ‘swim better’ and more effectively. I don’t find that to be the case. I think this fly is effective period!

To tie this fly place your hook securely in the vise. Start your thread behind the eyes and make 5-6 wraps. Cut off the tag end of your thread. Next, select two shorter White Saddle Hackle Feathers and two more longer Saddle Hackle Feathers. Strip the fuzzy hackle fibers from the feathers. The shorter Hackle Feathers should now be about the length of the hook shank. The Larger Hackle Feathers should be 2 hook shanks in length. Place them aside for the moment.

Bring your thread down to the beginning of the bend of the hook. Using hot glue or UV Resin, place a small drop right where your thread wraps begin. Affix one of the shorter Hackle Feathers against the drop. The concave (dull side) of the feather should be facing you. Repeat the same process on the far side of the hook. Now make additional thread wraps along the stem. Cut off the excess stems and return your thread to the base of the tail. Now take 2 strands of Pearlescent Krystal Flash and tie it in along one side of your Hackle Feathers. Double it over on the hook shank and repeat the process on the other side. Trim the Krystal Flash so that it is even with the tips of the Hackle Feathers. Next, take your Chenille or Estaz and strip off the tip materials to exposé the center string core. Tie it in at the initial tie in point. Bring your tying thread up behind the eye. Make ‘touching’ wraps up the hook shank with your Chenille. Tie it off behind the hook eye and snip off the excess. With your scissors, trim off Chenille Fibers on both sides of the hook shank. Now, take one of your long Hackle Feathers and measure it against the hook shank. The concave or dull side should again be facing you. Stroke the lower fibers back with your fingers. This part of the feather will lay against the side of the hook shank (where you just trimmed your Chenille fibers). Apply a thin bead of hot melt glue or UV Resin along entire length of the body, then embed your feather in it. The end of the feather should match the length of the previously affixed shorter Hackle Feathers. Rotate your vise or ‘flip’ your fly over to repeat the process on the other side of the fly. Use a bodkin or other tool to make sure the Hackle Feathers are fully seated. Clip off the excess stems and/or fibers at the hook eye. Take additional wraps of tying thread to clean up the head area.

Now add additional beads of glue or resin along the body. You are going to embed a piece of lateral scale that will run the entire length of the fly. Repeat the process on the other side. Trim the Lateral Scale behind the hook eye. Take additional thread wraps to create a small and uniform head. Whip finish and cut off your thread. Apply your stick-on eyes to each side of the fly. Next, run a bead of Hot Melt Glue or UV Resin over the eyes and along the Lateral Scale on the hook shank.

Tightlinevideo has a great instructions video on how to tie this fly below: