By Tim Romano

Another expertly drawn and explained fly by Jason Borger. For more great tying instructions, casting and mending tips, gear and rigging ideas head on over to Fish, Flies & Water. The instructions are below. Enjoy -- TR

The Loop-Wing Dun pattern shown here is a fly that I grew up tying (thanks to my father) and still tie. It's definitely a personal favorite, and some of my best spring-creek "dry fly" trout have been taken on this pattern. This particular loop-wing uses alternate hackling and winging methods to get some additional subtle effects. I hope that FlyTalk readers find it to be as useful in their own angling endeavors as it has been in mine.

1. Get the hook into the vise and wrap the shank with thread.

2. Tie in the tails. I typically use hackle-fibers tied in a fan-style. Colors to match the natural, or an all-around color like medium dun.

3. Dub the abdomen (keep it in proportion for the insect being imitated).

4. Tie in the fibers to be used for the loop-wing (this is (1) on the illustration). For smaller mayflies, the fibers of mallard flank feathers and so forth work nicely. But tougher, more "sparkly" materials, such as Z-lon, SST, etc., can also be used.

5. Tie in the hackle feather immediately in front of the loop-wing fibers (this is (2) on the illustration). Use a color that matches the natural, or just go with an all-aorund color like medium dun.

6. Dub the thorax (keep it in proportion for the insect being imitated).

7. Wind the hackle forward over the thorax and tie it off. The hackle can be wound in a basic spiral, or can be "X" wrapped to get a broad base of fibers. To do an X-wrap, take two broad spirals forward, two broad spirals back, then two forward again. Once the fly is totally finished (step 9), trim the hackle off the bottom of the fly.

8. Loop the wing fibers forward over the hackle (making the wing a realistic height). The wing can either be left as one larger loop, or... for a better wing, don't fully tie the wing down, just partly trap it with one or two wraps of thread. Then use a hackle pliers and grab one or more wing fibers and gently pull on them so that the fiber(s) draw(s) down, making a smaller loop inside the wing (go for a loop about 1/3 the height of the main loop). Do it again to make another loop, this time about 2/3 the height of the main loop. Now you have a stacked loop-wing that presents a great overall look.

With fine-filament fibers like Z-lon, you'll have to do this by grabbing a small group of fibers and drawing them down rather carefully. It may take some fussing, but it looks pretty sweet when done right.

9. Once the wing is to your liking, tie it down and finish the fly. If the wing fibers are too bulky to wrap down, just leave them sticking out over the eye of the hook, tie off, and then trim the fibers to the same length as the eye of the hook,.

10. Go fish.

Comments (4)

from BowtechWVU wrote 2 years 7 weeks ago

Thats a interesting new fly that sounds like a winner for a varity of trout species

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from buckhunter wrote 2 years 6 weeks ago

Nothing beats a well tied fly. I like the idea of pulling the wing fibers through giving the wing volume. It's a good recipe. I like it.

My only question would be on smaller flies would it be best to tie the hackle in by the tip?

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from MLH wrote 2 years 6 weeks ago

I like that wing design. I saw something similar using CDC looped for the wing - still have to try that.

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from jamesti wrote 2 years 6 weeks ago

thanks for another good pattern. keep em coming. off to my fly desk!

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from buckhunter wrote 2 years 6 weeks ago

Nothing beats a well tied fly. I like the idea of pulling the wing fibers through giving the wing volume. It's a good recipe. I like it.

My only question would be on smaller flies would it be best to tie the hackle in by the tip?

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from BowtechWVU wrote 2 years 7 weeks ago

Thats a interesting new fly that sounds like a winner for a varity of trout species

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from MLH wrote 2 years 6 weeks ago

I like that wing design. I saw something similar using CDC looped for the wing - still have to try that.

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from jamesti wrote 2 years 6 weeks ago

thanks for another good pattern. keep em coming. off to my fly desk!

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

Post a Comment

 

All submitted comments are subject to the rules set forth in our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.