By Tim Romano

Yet another simple but effective tying tip from the master Jason Borger. -TR

The Interlocking Wing is a slick way to build certain types of down-wings, but is quite straight-forward in terms of the physical handling of materials. A simple parachute-style post (I prefer something like poly yarn or Z-lon) is tied in at the rear of the thoracic area of the fly. The base of the post is not reinforced with thread wraps--such reinforcement is a hindrance to the interlock. The tying thread remains just behind the post.

A sparse length of winging material (like straight Z-lon, etc.) is then folded around the base of the post so that the ends of the winging material point rearward over the abdomen of the fly. This post/wing juncture is the interlock. I have found it best to gently pull both the post and winging material in opposite directions to make certain that the interlock is secure and tight. The winging material is tied down just behind the post. Body-colored thread or a turn or two of dubbing will mask the wraps. If you want strongly separated wings, you may also want to take a few X-wraps as you tie the wings down. It is at this point that legs need to be added to the fly.

There are several ways to create legs when using the Interlocking Wing technique, with perhaps the simplest being to dub the thorax and then wind a hackle over it (using "X”-wraps provides enhanced support for the fly on the water's surface). The top and bottom of the hackle are then trimmed off. (I'll get an alternate hackling technique up here on FlyTalk for one of the next tying posts.)

Once the legs are in place, the upright post is pulled forward and secured behind the hook eye. The wings are then trimmed to the desired length and shape.

Comments (5)

from Sayfu wrote 1 year 25 weeks ago

I can add that one to my tying repertoire along with a few other Borgerisms...Thanks, looks like an excellent method, and would create a very durable pattern. Buggy, easy to tie, low profile at the surface. I will definitely use that one.

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from Sayfu wrote 1 year 25 weeks ago

Tied several up to try today...a #14 Pink Albert version. wrapped several wraps of the parachute hackle underneath to prop up the zelon wing at a 45 degree mayfly profile. Epeorus emerges coming up, and I would think the wing can be at different angles when they pop through the surface. Emergence is everyday, and for the last week, or two, has proven to be a very difficult hatch to match. Fish seem to be taking just underneath. I'll give a soft hackle, and your wing style a go. Up until lately, a pink comparadun has been very effective, and it isn't fishing pressure causing the problem. I'm fishing water few fisherman have fished. Thanks.

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from buckhunter wrote 1 year 25 weeks ago

That is something I haven't seen before. I like it.

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from Jason Borger wrote 1 year 24 weeks ago

Sayfu—Good to hear that the wing style works for you in that mayfly configuration. If you haven't already, you might want to play around with altering the post diameter and the position of the interlock on the shank to get the best wing/thorax profile for an emerging/dun mayfly. Let us know how it goes....

Buckhunter—Hope that the technique makes for some cool flies for your late-summer fishing.

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from Sayfu wrote 1 year 24 weeks ago

It worked great!...and I tied up some BWO's in that configuration now getting ready for their emergence that isn't that far off. They drop our water CFS way down in the Fall on the SF of the Snake, and that bubble line seam fishing is some exciting stuff.
I have been using a bigger diameter poly post posting the hackle up the poly, then dubbing up the body with a thin profile, and after applying the grey, zelon wing, I dub under the wing xing back and forth in front of the post, and under the wing building up the thorax, and angling up the wing. I then parachute hackle, and snub down the post just for a hi-vis, and tie off rather than shellback it. I could do that, but have not yet. It would make a great caddis pattern also. I have moved that post forward as much as I think I can to get the shoulder wing emergence of a Mayfly. Thanks again.

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from Sayfu wrote 1 year 25 weeks ago

I can add that one to my tying repertoire along with a few other Borgerisms...Thanks, looks like an excellent method, and would create a very durable pattern. Buggy, easy to tie, low profile at the surface. I will definitely use that one.

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Sayfu wrote 1 year 25 weeks ago

Tied several up to try today...a #14 Pink Albert version. wrapped several wraps of the parachute hackle underneath to prop up the zelon wing at a 45 degree mayfly profile. Epeorus emerges coming up, and I would think the wing can be at different angles when they pop through the surface. Emergence is everyday, and for the last week, or two, has proven to be a very difficult hatch to match. Fish seem to be taking just underneath. I'll give a soft hackle, and your wing style a go. Up until lately, a pink comparadun has been very effective, and it isn't fishing pressure causing the problem. I'm fishing water few fisherman have fished. Thanks.

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from buckhunter wrote 1 year 25 weeks ago

That is something I haven't seen before. I like it.

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Jason Borger wrote 1 year 24 weeks ago

Sayfu—Good to hear that the wing style works for you in that mayfly configuration. If you haven't already, you might want to play around with altering the post diameter and the position of the interlock on the shank to get the best wing/thorax profile for an emerging/dun mayfly. Let us know how it goes....

Buckhunter—Hope that the technique makes for some cool flies for your late-summer fishing.

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Sayfu wrote 1 year 24 weeks ago

It worked great!...and I tied up some BWO's in that configuration now getting ready for their emergence that isn't that far off. They drop our water CFS way down in the Fall on the SF of the Snake, and that bubble line seam fishing is some exciting stuff.
I have been using a bigger diameter poly post posting the hackle up the poly, then dubbing up the body with a thin profile, and after applying the grey, zelon wing, I dub under the wing xing back and forth in front of the post, and under the wing building up the thorax, and angling up the wing. I then parachute hackle, and snub down the post just for a hi-vis, and tie off rather than shellback it. I could do that, but have not yet. It would make a great caddis pattern also. I have moved that post forward as much as I think I can to get the shoulder wing emergence of a Mayfly. Thanks again.

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.