Practical Fly Fishing and Fly Tying

It's supposed to be fun

Step by Step

The Detached Deer Hair Body

This technique does require a little bit of practice to master. It was not the easiest steps to put together but I do hope it helps you tie up your first deer hair body.

I love the detached deer hair body for my BUD FLY (Big Ugly Daddy). I prefer it over the foam bodies as it has a more nuetral density and sits lower in the water but will float for ages.

Materials

Deer Hair
Contrasting thread

Equipment

Vice
Sewing needle
Bobbin holder
Dubbing needle
Scissors

1. Set up the former (needle) in the vice as shown.
NOTE: The size of body is dependant on the size of needle and the amount of deer hair chosen. Select the needle thickness just thinner than the body you want to acieve.



2. Select a pinch of Deer Hair, enough to surround the needle, and position it on the top of the needle as shown. Note the tips of the hair just protrude over the tip of the needle.
Trap in the thread with your thumb at approximately the middle of the bunch.



3. Wrap 2 loose turns of thread around the hair and pull just enough to slightly flare the hair. (See photo for approximate flare).
Whip a few more turns to secure the thread.



4. Move your fingers back to repeat this process toward the vice, then back to the middle for a couple of turns, then forward in front of the original whippings.
With practice you will develop the right amount of pressure to secure the hair but not flare it as in a muddler head.



5. Now repeat the turns up and down the length of the body creating a nice even segmented effect, as shown, finishing at the point of the needle.



6. Use 2/3 securing turns of thread, whip finish and varnish the whipings. I now tend to just varnish the whip finish but it can be an advantage to varnish each of the whipings along the length of the body. (Do not varnish the whole body. This does make it more resistant to fish teeth but reduces its floating properties.)


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