Bodkin / Patterns

Black Gnat Red-Tail Dry Fly

Dry Fly · Midge · Trout · Beginner · 1 version

As tied by F&S Outdoor Adventures

  • Hook Dry fly hook (Mustad), 12
  • Thread Black 8/0

Materials

  • Tail Red soft hackle
  • Body Black dubbing (shredded off a rabbit strip)
  • Wing/legs Black hackle

How to tie it

  1. Put a size 12 dry fly hook in the vise and start black thread.
  2. Twist black dubbing (shredded rabbit strip fur) onto the thread, starting at the back of the hook and working forward.
  3. Take a smaller feather for the wing, tear a little off the end to expose the stem, and tie it in shiny side toward you.
  4. Take it to the front and cinch it down with a few turns, then carefully trim any stragglers.
  5. Whip finish (or half hitch), snip the thread, and put a little nail polish on the head.

Tying videos

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