Bodkin / Patterns

Savage Duck Diver

Wet Fly · Trout · Advanced · 1 version

Tyer Recipe

  • Hook 1x-long, 1x-strong wet fly, barbless, #8-12 (tied here on a #10)
  • Thread Fluorescent orange 70 denier

Materials

  • Wire Silver wire (Brassie size, 1 length (rib))
  • Super Bright synthetic dubbing Black dubbing (A good pinch (body))
  • Duck quill slips Natural duck quill slips (2 thin slips (wing))
  • Guinea feather barbs Natural black/white speckled guinea feather barbs (1 small slip (throat))
  • UV resin or head cement (1 drop)

How to tie it

  1. Start fluorescent orange thread mid-shank and leave it about a third of the way back from the eye. That front third will become the hot spot.
  2. Tie in brassie-size silver wire up front and bind it back to the bend of the hook.
  3. Wax the thread, load it heavily with black Super Bright synthetic dubbing, and wrap a shaggy body forward. The noodle does not need to be tight. The rib will compress it.
  4. Counter-wrap the silver wire forward over the body in close, firm turns; this tightens and segments the fuzzy body. Tie off and helicopter the wire away.
  5. Cut two thin slips of natural duck quill, tie them in on top as a wing with a couple of wraps, check the position, and adjust so they lie fairly flat over the body; add a few wraps to secure and snip the butts.
  6. Take a few wraps to flatten the tie-off area.
  7. Roll a small slip of guinea barbs between your fingers to unmarry them, turn the fly over, and tie them in underneath as a throat. Not much longer than the hook point.
  8. Trim the throat butts and build a deliberately big fluorescent orange head; remember resin will make it look bigger still.
  9. Whip finish and coat the head with UV resin or head cement.

Tying videos

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