Flatten the Curve, Fatten Your Fly Box

This is the first in our series of blog posts to give anglers creative ideas to pass the time during the national COVID-19 crisis.   By staying home and tying flies, or fishing streams near your home, your are helping prevent the spread of the disease COVID-19, which can be deadly, especially to older individuals.  We hope these posts provide some relief from the stress we are all feeling due to this crisis, and we hope to see everyone healthy, and happy in the future.

This first post will be in our theme of "Flatten the Curve, Fatten Your Fly Box"

 Ostrich Herl Jig

Our first featured fly to fatten up your fly box is this easy little jig style nymph that features Ostrich Herl as the main ingredient.  This fly can be fished as a streamer, on the swing, under an indicator, or as a point fly for tight line nymphing.  This fly can be tied in a wide range of sizes, and used for trout, warm water species, and could likely be an effective bonefish fly when tied in tan, or cream color variations.

Ingredients

Hook: Barbless Jig Size 4-14

Thread: 6/0-10/0 Veevus

Bead: Slotted Tungsten (any color you like)

Tail and Body: 2 to 6 Ostrich Herl Fibers (any color you like)

Rib: Small Tinsel, Ultra Wire, or Similar (any color you like)

Collar: Hungarian Partridge, or other soft hackle feather.

Step 1:  Slide the slotted tungsten bead onto the hook, small hole first, and place in the vice.

Step  2:  Tie onto the hook, wrap to the back, and tie in the Ostrich Herl for the tail.  Make sure the tail is slightly longer than the hook shank, and be sure to leave the butt materials intact.

Step 3:  Tie in the tinsel, making sure to cover the lash point all the way to the base of the tail.  (You can also substitute wire, floss, or flashabou for the tinsel.)  Then, wrap your thread forward to just behind the bead.

Step 4:  Wrap the Ostrich Herl forward.  In this case, we have wound it evenly.  (You could also bulk the wraps up to create a tapered appearance.) Then, wrap the tinsel foward to create a rib.

Step 5:  Tie in a Partridge feather by the tip and wrap it one, or two, turns to create a collar.

Step 6(optional):  Tie in some additional Ostrich Herl and make a few wraps behind the bead for a more finished appearance.