Formula 1 Style – Fly Tying

In order to create the most volume and action in a fly pattern, I came up with this Formula 1 variation on the “dubbing ball” technique. Rather then using dubbing, or chenille I use a brass bead. The benefit of a brass bead is that it forms a much better barrier to tie your materials against, thus making them flare out more, and giving your pattern more volume. I also like the little bit of weight that the brass bead adds.

Plastic tubes tend to want to float up a bit, the brass bead nicely balances the pattern, so it tracks in line with your sink-tip. Cone heads have been used as a support for wings as well. One of the first patterns that I saw incorporate this technique was Shumakov’s “Russian Bullet”. While a cone head works to support hackles and wings in Temple Doge style flies, the lack of an acute 90 degree angle, makes them less ideal for patterns like intruders, or single wing stingers.

The second part of the wing support is Nutria. The guard hair of Nutria has a fine mild taper to it, yet it is very flexible and will return to its position after being flexed. This quality makes it ideal for a support material, since it will not collapse in the current, unlike many traditional materials such as feather hackle, polar bear, fox, etc. Long wings will dramatically improve their volume and movement in the water with this support method.

Here is a video showing how we tie the Formula 1 Fly Fishing Fly.

Fly Tying Materials Used in the Above Video can be found at Skeena River Fly Supply.