Fly Tying

Chicago Fly
by Gerry McDaniel

HOOK : #6-#12 4X long, such as the Mustad 79580

THREAD : Black flat waxed nylon

HEAD: Tungsten bead, oversized or faceted

TAIL: Black marabou, short and spiky

FLASH: Red or green crystal flash

BODY : Black mohair yarn, scratched out

Start by threading the bead on the hook and move it to the eye of the hook. Now start your thread behind the bead and build up a little bump, and then wrap your thread to the rear of the hook just before the bend. At this point measure the marabou to about half to 3/4 of the length of the hook shank, and then tie in the material at the bend of the hook. Next tie in a few strands of crystal flash with the tail. Secure the flash and trim the excess. Now tie in your mohair yarn where you tied in the tail, and then wrap your thread to the front of the hook just behind the bead. Begin to wrap the mohair toward the front of the hook and be sure to tease out some of the fibers as you go along. Also be sure to pull the fibers out of the way as you wrap so that you don't bind them down. Once you get to the front of the hook, just behind the bead, tie off the mohair and trim the excess. Wrap your thread behind the eye until you build up a nice thread base to keep the bead from moving. Last, whip finish and apply a drop of head cement to your thread. To make your fly more "buggy" using a piece of velcro, the "hook" side, and pull it across the mohair. This will pull the fibers out and make your Chicago Fly irresistible.