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Basic Instructions
Sunday, April 27, 2025

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This page contains basic instructions for tying Salmon and Steelhead flies. We are presuming that the tyer has some experience with the basics of fly tying. If not, basic fly tying can be learned from many fine authors or by taking classes, but is difficult to teach on the web. As with everything, there is nothing that substitutes for experience, so sometimes you just have to dive into it, then practice, practice, practice.

Modern day Salmon and Steelhead flies have evolved into simpler hairwing, reduced patterns and other variations that have proven very successful in catching fish. The older, Classic Atlantic Salmon Fly versions, fully dressed, require various colored feathers of large or exotic birds, blended together to make the wing, but they are the original flies on which all others are based. There are many tiers, that still tie the classic flies, and it is truly an art. The instructions here are based on the classic version of tying but leave out some details of tying the complicated wings. These instructions should, however, enable you to tie all the flies in these pages.

Begin by placing the hook in the fly-tying vise. Spiral thread onto the hook shank, starting just before the shank and winding to it.

First tie in the tip material (usually about two or three inches of it). Hold one end of the tip material (usually tinsel) diagonally between the hook shank and the thread. Bind down the tinsel about four turns of the thread. Wind the tinsel to the rear, into the bend and then back to the thread. Secure the tinsel with the thread and clip the excess. The tip should be about 1/8 inch long. Cut a single strand of the tag material (often floss , but not always). Tie that in where you left off from the tip. Let the thread dangle from the bobbin. Wind the floss to the rear, covering part of the tip so that only about a sixteenth of the tip is exposed. Wind the floss forward to the point where you left the thread. Tie down the floss (tag) and clip the excess. The tag should extend to a point directly above the point of the hook.

Next comes the tail. Place the tail material on top of the hook shank at the place where the thread is dangling, making sure that the natural curvature of the material bends up, away from bend of the hook. Tie in with three turns of the thread over the same area. For a dual tail, tie in the second tail material over the top of the first. For a dual tail, the second material should cover half the distance to the end of the first tail material.

Next tie in the butt material (often ostrich or peacock herl) directly over the area where the tail was secured. Wind about three turns forward, covering the area over the secured thread holding the tail. The butt should now lie directly over the point of the hook.

Next tie in a five inch piece of the ribbing material (often flat or oval tinsel). With oval tinsel, it is necessary to expose some of the cotton core at the end. This is the material that will be tied to the hook shank to prevent too much bulk at the tie. Tie this directly in front of the butt. Hold the ribbing material out of the way with a material clip.

Cut a section of body material(often floss or fur) about six or seven inches long. Note that if fur is the body material you will have to use one of several methods to secure it to the thread. Wind it slightly to the rear, covering any exposed thread or bulky areas, and then wind it forward, making a slightly tapered body, covering about 1/4 inch from the hook eye, securing it with a few winds of the thread.

Note there are various body styles. Some call for two-toned bodies, some call for hackled bodies. If you use common sense, you should be able to determine at what point to tie in these materials and wind them on to the body. Now wind the ribbing material forward in an open spiral of about five or six turns.

Next the throat is tied in. This usually made with a saddle or neck hackle feather. First fold it and tie it in tip end first at the point where the thread is dangling. Wind it around as a collar as you would for a wet fly. The Charles DeDeo method, an alternate way to tie in the throat is illustrated by clicking on the thumbnail. The throat or collar should be extend about midway along the length of the hook shank.

Next the wing is tied in. This is probably the area where the most variation is encountered, so use your common sense again to determine the correct order and amounts. We will assume for this example that we are using mallard flank sections or similar material. Cut two matching mallard sections as downwings, match them and place over the top of the hook. Tie them in over the point on the hook shank where the collar was secured. Clip the excess ends at a taper toward the eye so that you can finish with a neatly tapered head.

The Shoulder

One of the last things to tie in, if it is called for, is the shoulder (usually jungle cock, similar material or an imitation). Select two of medium size. Place one on one side of the wings. Tie it in at that point. Take the other cheek feather and tie on the opposite side so that it matches the placement of the other.

Now wind a neatly tapered head forward to the eye. Whip finish the thread, cut it, and finish with a few coats of lacquer or varnish for the affect you want (usually a smooth, glossy head).

1. Start working thread and tie in the tip at end of hook shank
2. Wind tip on hook shank about 1/8 inch and tie off. Tie in tag material.
3. Wind tag material forward and tie off.
4. Set tail material on hook. Tie down tail material.
5. Tie in butt material. Wind forward two or three turns and tie off.
6. Tie in ribbing material.
7. Wind thread forward to just before eye of hook and tie in body material.
8. Wind body material backward and forward tapering body. Tie off.
9. Wind ribbing material and tie off.
10. Cut hackle section and tie in. Wind to create throat.
11. Set pair of matched wings or other wing material on hook. Tie off.
12. Complete by setting topping on top of wings. Tie off.
13. Whip-finish head and lacquer.