Yesterday marked the first official day of winter, and for many that means it’s officially fly tying season.
To celebrate, today we present you with a great step by step by legendary fly tyer, Stuart Foxall, on how to tie a classic salmon/steelhead pattern, the Undertaker.
Not only is the Undertaker an effective fly for steelhead and Atlantic salmon, it’s also a great pattern for those looking to create better looking and more durable tags to classic style flies.
The Undertaker – Tying Instructions
Many folks have a little difficulty tying flies with tags that don’t slip down the hook shank. There’s not much worse than finishing a nice fly only to take it out of the vice to watch the tag has slipped, thus spoiling the fly.
So, here’s a really awesome steelhead fly where you can practice not one, but three tags per fly. Best of all it really catches fish. Sometimes simple is best! The ‘Undertaker’ is well worth having in your box.
There you have it, a finished ‘Undertaker’ with safely secured tags. Although it’s a fairly simple looking fly it tests your tying skills fully as there is no where to hide shaky techniques.
Now all that’s left is to tie it on your leader and hold on tight!
What happened with the tag & body gold oval tinsel? Love how you dress in the Jungle cock. I dress in the black hen hackle before the Black bear wing to make a smaller black thread head, next with clear, and followed wit Black cellire. Still a nice fly and Great for steelhead in hook size 6-8 using PB Hooks! Strong “Open loop knots and tight lines!
CALII