dry fly tail

[Jason B]

I was just wondering of the importance of the few tail fibers for mayfly patterns? I have been experimenting with some extended body flys but the way i tie them makes it next to imposible to add tail fibers. When finished this fly looks very realistic but i cant add the any tail fibers. What has your experience been.

[Mike]

Let me start by saying that I'm pretty much an amateur tier and certainly don't know the reasoning behind a lot of what goes on in fly tying. Having said that, I'm sure that someone will correct me if I'm totally wrong!

I think that tail fibers lend some balance to a lot of patterns. Most flys tend to be "front heavy" as I'm sure anyone who has tied some crappy dry flies knows. Whether tails help by adding weight (seems unlikely, but who knows!) or because they help to spread the weight of the fly over the water's surface more evenly (seems more likely to me) I am not really sure. It may even be that it's harder for a fly to flip forward on the water if the tailing fibers end up beneath the surface of the water a little bit. It's certainly harder to break the surface tension of water than it is to move unimpeded through the air. I do know that tailing fibers seem to make an important difference in the dries that I've tied personally. Of course it goes without saying, for adult mayfly patterns particularly, that tail fibers are a help in more closely approximating the real thing.

All of this may not be as much of an issue with extended body flies as there is a substantial amount of area extending beyond the end of your hook! A trip to the river to cast a few prototypes will probably resolve any questions!

[Jason B]

Mike,
With this pattern the body isn't attached to the hook till about the head. I gave Mr. T a few of the patterns but they were midge's. Maybe he will have some idea. I was going to be tying this pattern at the Utah County Fly Tying meeting so maybe you and jason could make it down. But you are right by saying the best way to test is to throw some proto's out. Maybe i can get you some of these to try at the Green, if the BWO arn't coming off then the midge pattern is a killer.
Jason B

[Curtis Fry]

I've spent a lot of time messing around with different types of tailing material testing to see which is "best". I've even tested patterns without any tailing material -- doesn't work well. Those flies would not sit right on the water. The tail acts as a good balance for the fly, keeping it floating on the surface of the water.


IMHO, depending on the type of extended body, I wouldn't think that tailing makes a huge difference. My ext bodies usually act as the balancing point of the fly and the tail doesn't do too much for support. I guess I tie the tail in for realism more than anything else.

[Jason]

My idea of how tails should be tied are similar to what Mike described. It's all about balance and proportion. You don't have to have perfect tails, but a good silouette and proportion are key. As a guide to tying tails, just keep your tails the same length of the body or maybe a little bit longer. AK Best doesn't do anything fancy for his tails but he does like his tails a little flared so that the tail end of the fly sits flush and balanced.

I use a few different materials such as microfibbets, hackle fibers in proper colors, and even zelon or antron for my tails. Just experiment with a few flies and go out on the river and cast a few. See how they ride. Ask youself a few questions. Are my flies balanced on the water? Do I need to flare the tail a little more? Should the tails be a little longer or shorter?

Jason, if I'm able to make to the first Utah County chapter tying club meeting, I'll tie up a couple of my new extended body patterns and show you how I tie the tailing material. I'll let you know if I can make it.

[Curtis Fry]

So when and where is the UT county meeting?

I'll show up if no one minds.

[Jason B]

Curtis, Its going to be at Pathaws cabin. I'll e-mail you with the specifics