UV resin (Deer Creek Fine) Clear uv resin (1 coat)
Tying thread Black thread
How to tie it
Start black thread on a size 10 scud hook, dress the shank and carry the thread a little way down into the bend. The curve of the scud hook gives the buzzer its natural pupal shape before a single material goes on.
Cut about an inch off the thin end of an insect green tapered synthetic quill and snip that end to a point. Length sets the segmentation: an inch suits a size 10, while a 14 or 16 wants the quill tied in right at the base of the card where it is finest.
Tie the quill in at the back with the dark side facing down. The material is dark on one face and semi-translucent on the other, and that contrast is what makes the finished body look real. Wrap the thread forward with only a whisper of taper; this is a slim fly.
Wrap the quill forward in even, non-overlapping turns. Each wrap lays down a slightly larger segment as the quill widens, which builds the graduated banding for you. Tie off, nick the excess out and cover the stub.
Tie in light olive or chartreuse stretch floss by spinning it onto the thread, then wrap back and release it so the two ends fall naturally to either side of the hook for the wing buds. Build a short thorax over them, checking underneath that nothing shows bare.
Pull each floss butt up and across, tie both off on top with a few hard wraps, pull tight and snip. That leaves almost no tag to bury. Whip finish, then colour the back half of the wing buds with an orange Sharpie.
Coat the body with UV resin, spread it thin with a bodkin (keep the abdomen slim, let the thorax stand slightly proud) and cure. The resin makes the quill segmentation pop and turns a delicate body into a bulletproof one.