Tying Instructions for Shad flies

The tying of these flies is pretty staight forward. The individual recipes list the order in which the materials are tied on the hook. If you chose to weight the hook with lead wire, often the wire will discolor the body after it becomes wet. To eliminate this, cover the lead with thread and lacquer it. Allow it to dry before you continue.

Red and White

Hook--> Mustad #3399 size 4-10

Thread--> red Uni 6/0

Underbody--> use lead wire for weight or use white yarn to "beef" up body

Tail---> white calf tail

Ribbing--> flat medium silver

Butt---> red thread

Body----> white floss

Head----> red thread

Bead Head Dart

Hook----> Mustad #3399 size 4-10 Thread--> Uni 6/0, color to match body

Tail----> any color calf tail

Body----> chenille, color of choice

Head----> bead, again color of choice

Nolan's Jig

Hook----> Mustad #3399 size 4-10

Thread--> Danville's Depth Ray, fluorescent*

Underbody--> use lead wire for weight or use white yarn to "beef" up body

Tail-------> yellow calf tail

Ribbing----> gold wire

Body-------> Danville's Depth Ray, fluorescent

*The Depth Ray is not generally used as tying thread but using it as such will keep the color of the finished fly truer; even when wet.

Royal Dart

Hook--> Mustad #3399 size 4-10

Thread--> olive Uni 6/0

Underbody--> use lead wire for weight or use white yarn to "beef" up body

Tail--> white calf tail

Ribbing--> flat medium silver

Butt--> peacock herl rope*

Body--> red floss

Collar--> peacock herl rope*

* Peacock herl rope refers to a technique of winding the herl around the thread and then wrapping it around the hook. This way the herl gets trapped under the thread at many points and is much more durable than simply winding it around the shank.