Steeves Firefly

Fly: Frank Thompson, Originator: Dr. Harrison R. Steeves, III, Photograph: Hans Weilenmann

Hook: Mustad 94831, Orvis 1638, TMC 5212, #12-16
Thread: Uni-thread, 6/0, black or rusty orange
Shellback: Kreinick, 1/8” wide flat ribbon, beetle black, #005 HL
Body: 1/8” thick closed cell foam, black, cut into 1/8” wide strip
Butt: Kreinik, medium round braid, fluorescent yellow, #054
Underbody: Peacock herl, two to four strands, depends on hook size
Wing: Kreinik, 1/8” flat ribbon, mallard, #850
Tying Instructions:
  1. Wrap first half of shank, tie in 6 inch piece of wing case material to the bend of hook. Wrap thread forward 2/3 the length of hook shank.

  2. Tie in body foam and continue to tie it in back to the bend of hook. This will prevent the body from turning on the hook shank.

  3. Wrap thread forward about 1/8” and tie in 6” piece of butt material. Form the butt on a #14 fly by wrapping the butt material three times. Remove excess. On a #12 fly, four wraps of butt material are necessary. On a #16 fly, only two wraps of butt material are called for.

  4. Tie in peacock herl just ahead of butt, and wrap thread forward to 1/16” behind hook eye. Wrap peacock herl forward and tie down. Wrap thread back and then forward through the herl to reinforce it.

  5. Fold body foam forward and tie down about 1/16” behind the hook eye. Cut the forward-projecting foam even with the front of the eye to form a head.

  6. Tie in a piece of wing material projecting backward to the fluorescent butt. Trim the forward portion flush with the front of the head. Separate the winging material into equal portions on either side of the body.

  7. Fold the wing case material forward between the wings and tie it down. Trim excess flush with head of fly. Whip finish.




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© 2005 Hans Weilenmann
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