In order to create the most volume and action in a fly pattern, I came up with this 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 step-by-step instruction of the “Formula 1” to illustrate the above:
Materials: Nano Silk 12/0 – orange, 3mm SRFS outer tube, 1.8mm SRFS inner tube, marabou -orange, pink, purple, SRFS brass bead, Nutria – orange, cone head – gold, accent flash – copper and pearl.
Cut the 3mm tube on a 45 degree angle.
Melt a flange on the 1.8mm tube and push it into the 3mm tube. This will form a ridge against which the brass bead can be seated. It will prevent it sliding backward without have to form a stopper-ridge from thread. Slide the brass bead against the flange ridge.
Tie in the tread. Secure the junction of the two tubes and the brass bead.
Cut off a bunch of Nutria. Make sure to cut it close to the base of the hair. The hair tapers to a smaller diameter near the base which gives it very good mobility in the water.
Tie in the clump of Nutria and spin it around the tube. The stiff Nutria fibres will support the soft Marabou. This greatly improves the flies movement in the water.
Tie in the orange marabou and add glitter/flash.
Tie in shrimp pink marabou.
Add accent flash.
Tie in pink marabou.
Tie in pearl accent flash.
Tie in purple marabou. Take one turn only.
Slide a gold standard cone head on the 1.8mm tube. Cut off the 1.8mm tube approximately 2mm in front of the cone head and melt a flange on the tube.
This is a rear view of the fly. Note how well the material flare out and are supported by the brass bead and nutria. This is a great support method for a variety of wing styles including Intruder style ties.
The finished fly. It looks like a classic Popsickle pattern but as we have seen in this step-by-step there are many innovative changes incorporated in this pattern. Try these techniques on any of your favourite flies and let us know how you like them. Happy tying!
