Paul's November Bonus 2020 Fly of the Month

Deep Sparkle Pupa 

Hook:  Tiemco 3769 Size #12-#18 (or similar hook of choice).

Bead (Optional):  Gold, Copper, or Black Tungsten Bead to match.

Thread:  UT Ultra thread 70 Brown, Black, or Olive.

Tail/Body Shuck:  Sparkle Yarn (Color to match Naturals – Some tiers also use Antron or Zelon).

Body:  Sparkle Yarn mixed with U/V Hare’s Ear Dubbing.

Wing:  Deer Hair (Color to match naturals).

Thorax/Collar:  Fur Dubbing (color to match). 

This fly is a variation of the Emergent Sparkle Pupa designed by Gary LaFontaine.  In my opinion he was one of the most innovative fly tiers of our time.  The Sparkle Yarn on this fly creates a ‘sheath’ that traps air bubbles just like the natural.  Originally this fly did not have a bead.  Instead of a deer hair wing, it had deer hair legs and was meant to be fished in the surface film.   This fly is used to fish deeper. Also, a lot of the hits you get will occur as the fly swings upward at the end of your drift.  You also want to let it ‘dangle’ at the end of your cast.  At times this will also induce the trout to strike it.  

Begin by placing bead on your hook.  Place your hook in the vice.  Make several wrap of thread behind your bead.  Cut off the tag end.  Now take a hank of Sparkle Yarn a couple inches long.  Match the thickness of it to the size of the fly your tying.  Tie it in by one end behind the bead.  With your fingernail press down on it so that it surrounds the hook shank.  Wrap your thread rearward binding down the Sparkle Yarn.  When you reach the end of the hook shank divide the yarn into two equal parts and form a ‘V’ at the rear of the hook.  Next, dub your underbody.  Your body should be slender enough to just cover your thread wraps.  Don’t overdub.  End it leaving a little space behind the bead.  Now, bring both sides of your Sparkle Yarn (‘V’) forward on each side of the hook.  Take two wraps of your thread to bind it behind the bead.  With your dubbing needle pull the yarn slightly away from the body.  Your going to create a little ‘bubble’ around the hook shank.  Work it with your fingers to ensure that it surrounds the body/shank. 

Once formed you can take some additional thread wraps to bind down the yarn behind the bead.  Clip off the excess/tag end of the yarn.  To create a trailing tail, clip a few fibers of the body shuck behind the bead.  Sweep the fibers back with your fingers.  The tail should consist of approximately 5-6 fibers.  Next, you are going to tie in a sparse  deer hair wing behind the bead.  It should be no longer than the hook shank.  Clip off the butt ends and secure it with a few wraps.  Finally, dub your Thorax/Collar behind the bead.  Whip finish and clip off the tag end.  

Intheriffle has a great instructional video on how to tie this fly Below: 

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 at pdinice@frontier.com .