Hackle Wing Snow Fly
by Elaine Cook
Getting ready for the Green River? Don't go without this pattern. It works well in tail waters and still waters, too. Bring some to the Weber and Milton Lakes fishouts also. This is a very easy fly to tie, and note the minimal use of thread, which is very important.
| Hook: | TMC sizes 20-24 |
| Thread: | black 12/0 or 14/0 |
| Wing: | stiff grizzly hackle barbs |
| Hackle: | grizzly hackle |
| Thorax and Head: | black thread |
1. Crimp barb.
2. Attach thread 1/2 back on shank.
3. For the body: Wrap thread to rear of shank in touching wraps, then forward in touching wraps.
4. For the wing: Select about 15 still hackle barb, cut off stem so tips line up, lay on top of shank with tips extending hook gap lenth beyond shank; tie in place with no more than 5 wraps, cut butts; tie remaining butts down with no more than 3 wraps.
5. For the hackle: Select hackle (preferably saddle that has thin stem) with barbs equal to hook gap or 1 1/4 hook gap; cut off any fuzzy, cut 3-4 barbs short on sides of stem (at stem end); tie in with dull side toward you, 4 wraps back to wing. Tie in, make one or two wraps of hackle, tie off, cut excess.
6. For the thorax: Holding hackle back with moistened fingers, make 12 wraps of thread, finishing at one eye length behind eye.
7. For the head: Whip finish with 3 wraps of thread. Cut thread. Apply head cement or Zap-A-Gap to head with bodkin.