Needle Fly No. 3
Fly: John Gray, Photograph: Hans Weilenmann
Needle: Sewing needle. The size shown is a size 7 long darner.
Thread: Uni-thread 8/0, black
Loop eye: Monofilament, .50mm or .020"
Wing: Yellow, orange and red hair (The fly shown has dyed squirrel tail)
Flash: Krystal hair, two strands
Join: Short length of PVC tubing or similar
Hook: For atlantic salmon: Partridge Salar tube fly trebles. For seatrout: Any well made fine wire treble with a smooth medium length shank. VMC or Cannelle are good.
Background:
The Needle Fly was devised in the late nineties for late night sea trout fishing on the River Earn. Its main advantages are a) its extremely slim profile and b) its simplicity.

Method:
  1. Insert needle in fly tying vice and tie a small bump or stop of thread one cm from the point, varnish and leave to dry.

  2. Reverse needle in vice and whip a short loop of heavy nylon to the front of the needle.

  3. Tie in some hair of your choice.

  4. Slip a short sleeve of PVC tubing over a suitable treble hook.


Assembly:
Attaching the Needle Fly

STEP 1 - Thread the line through the "eye" of the Needle fly and attach one of the specially adapted treble hooks.

STEP 2 - Carefully push the point of the needle into the plastic sleeve on the treble hook until the plastic stop on the needle touches the sleeve.

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© 2008 Hans Weilenmann
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