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Stu’s Kicking Templedog – Tying Instructions

How to tie a Kicking Templedog Tube Fly for Salmon and Steelhead.
Stu’s Kicking Templedog. Photos: Stuart Foxall.

Tube fly guru, Stuart Foxall, is back today with another great fly tying step by step! Today’s pattern? A modern variation of the timeless Templedog tube fly for salmon and steelhead.

Happy Tying!

Stu’s Kicking Templedog – Tying Instructions

Earlier this month we showed you how to tie a Scandinavian influenced Templedog tube fly for steelhead. This week we will show you how to add a little bit of extra movement to your flies, which is going to be great for those winter steelhead sitting in that early season “soft” water. This certainly isn’t anything new – rubber “kicking” legs have been used by us European’s for a number of years, particularly for sea trout. Nonetheless, they provide great action to a fly. Here’s how to incorporate them into a Templedog.

How to tie a Kicking Templedog Tube Fly for Salmon and Steelhead.
Step 1: We will start at the head stage. To see the beginning stages of this fly, check out our previous post on the Templedog, here!
How to tie a Kicking Templedog Tube Fly for Salmon and Steelhead.
Step 2: Tie some fox in backwards so that it extends to the tail of the fly. Tying the wing in backwards like this will help to give the fly some shoulders.
How to tie a Kicking Templedog Tube Fly for Salmon and Steelhead.
Step 3: Add some angel flash on top of the wing and tie in a pheasant rump hackle to give it a spey style look. This will also give the fly that gorgeous tear drop shape that we are looking for.
How to tie a Kicking Templedog Tube Fly for Salmon and Steelhead.
Step 4: Tie in a second wing section. This should be slightly less heavy (use a little less fur) but slightly longer than the previous wing which will help give the fly more movement in the water.
How to tie a Kicking Templedog Tube Fly for Salmon and Steelhead.
Step 5: Add more angel flash over the top of the wing and tie in 2 pairs of rubber legs on the underside of the fly. I tie the central pair slightly longer than the outer pair of legs. This aids moment (they don’t stick together) and helps give a nice taper to the fly.
How to tie a Kicking Templedog Tube Fly for Salmon and Steelhead.
Step 6: Tie in a nice soft hen hackle. This covers the tie in point of the wing and rubber legs.
How to tie a Kicking Templedog Tube Fly for Salmon and Steelhead.
Step 7: Add another nice over wing, extending longer than the previous wing. Once agin a little less fur is used to provide better movement to the fly.
How to tie a Kicking Templedog Tube Fly for Salmon and Steelhead.
Step 8: Add a few strands of flash over the top of the wing, followed by a pair of jungle cock eyes.
How to tie a Kicking Templedog Tube Fly for Salmon and Steelhead.
Step 9: Finish the fly off by adding a cone for weight and to help the fly push some water. It also helps add to the tear drop shape that we are looking for with this style of fly.

Obviously I’ve used pretty natural colors here. However you could choose any other color combination that works best on your watershed. But remember, on busy waters sometimes these drab more natural color patterns can pick up some fish when the brighter colors have been refused.

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Comments

  1. Thanks for keeping the SBS articles going. Even if I don’t try to tie one of the flies I feel like I learn something. These are one of the more valuable type articles for me.

  2. You’re most welcome John! Thanks for your input and we’re super happy to hear you are finding them helpful. We’ll keep ’em comin’ and if there’s any particular patterns you’d like to see, please feel free to let us know.

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