1. Attach the hook to the vise and attach your thread just behind the eye. Wrap back to the bend of the hook. |
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2. Clip 6-12 stiff hackle fibers from a tailing or spade hackle and keep the ends even. The length of the tails should be the same as the wing, from the eye to the bend of the hook. Position the tailing fibers at a 45 degree position in front of the shank and apply two soft thread loops, tightening them to bind the fibers to the top of the shank. |
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3. Wrap the butt ends of the tailing fibers up to the 3/4 position of the hook shank for a smooth body foundation. Trim and secure the butt ends. |
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4. Attach a strand of Black and a strand of White Floss to the 3/4 position of the shank and secure with thread wraps to the tail tie-in position. Wrap the thread back to the 3/4 position.. |
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5. Wrap the black floss forward for a thin tapered body just past the 3/4 position of the shank. | ||
6. Twist the strand of white floss to a tight rope. |
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7. Wrap it the white floss forward with spiral wraps about 4-5 times. Secure with thread wraps. |
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8. Select two hackle tips, removing the butt fibers to obtain the proper length. The wings should be equal to the tail length, from the eye to the bend of the hook. | ||
9. Place the paired wing tips with the base about one eye length behind the eye at the top of the shank. Secure with a couple of tight thread wraps and check position of the wings. If it looks good, secure with a few more wraps and trim off tag ends of the quills. |
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10. Attach a Grizzly hackle by the butt at the base of the wing with the shiny side facing you.. | ||
11. Wrap the hackle forward about 4-5 turns leaving room for the head. Secure the hackle, trim the butts, and wrap a small head. |
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12. Whip Finish. |
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8. The finished California Mosquito. |
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