1. Attach your thread at the start of the bend. You want to minimize any thread base to the shank as it will inihibit the hair spin. |
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2. Select a small bunch of deer body hair , clean the fuzz from it and trim off the tips. The bundle should be about 1" long. Apply two loose wraps around the bundle at the tie-in position. Keep the bundle on top of the shank. |
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3. Apply two more wraps around the bundle but tighten. The bundle will spin around the shank. Some hairs will catch against the bend and you may need to help these to get around with a dubbing needle. Apply 4-5 wraps directly in front of the spun bundle to lock in the bundle wraps. |
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4. Attach a second hair bundle in front of the first. Spin and lock in with wraps. Compress the hair as tight as possible holding the bend of the hook and pushing with your thumb and index finger. |
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5. Attach a third bundle or enough hair to reach the 1/3 position of the hook shank. Spin and lock-in with wraps. Apply a whip finish and sever the thread. |
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6. Trim the bottom of the fly as close to the shank as possible. Take care not to cut into any of the thread wraps. |
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7. Turn the fly backwards on the vise. This will give you a better angle to trim the sides at a slant. You want the body to have a wedge shape. |
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8. Trim a slant cut to the top of the fly and an angled trim towards the rear. Reposition the fly in the normal position on the vise. |
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9. Reattach the thread and select a hackle, sized for the hook. Attach the hackle by the butt end to the shank in front of the body. |
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10. Attach two stripped hackles for antennae. The antennae should be longer than the body. |
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11. Wrap the hackle forward to just behind the eye. Secure and trim the hackle tip. Create a small head and whip finish. |
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