Here’s the latest installment our series “One-Minute Fly-Tying Tips and Techniques” from Tim Flagler of Tightline Productions. Each video teaches a single tying skill, from the most basic to the advanced. Ultimately, the series will serve as a sort of encyclopedia of tying skills that will be a valuable resource for anyone who sits down at a vise to create a fly.
You may have seen mayfly patterns with extended bodies and wondered, “How do they do that?” It looks complicated and scary, but in this video, Tim explains a simple method that uses a standard sewing needle and a piece of stretch tubing. You’ll be tying extended-body drakes in no time!
As usual, Tim does a masterful job of portraying and explaining the tying technique. Tim, you are the best at video instruction!
A word of caution – I have found that most extended bodies reduce hookability – you miss more strikes with extended bodies. They can look great but I don’t think they result in more takes and they do reduce your hook-up success.
Excellent tip. Thanks Tim.
Perk, great comment, thanks for your honesty, that is what I love about the Orvis community!
Very nice.
I have also seen this done using deer hair for the tail. The deer hair creates the “tube” around which the extended body is built and then just tie in the excess deer hair at the front to the hook as is shown in this video.