How to tie a Sow Bug - Step by Step instructions

For this post I have decided to demonstrate how to tie a sow bug.
This fly is my go to on the lower Provo River. That and I actually have really good luck using the parachute adams.  The sow bug is relatively easy to tie. I have found that for smaller sized hooks, at least on the lower Provo, that a grey or dark color works best. Then for larger hook I use more tan colors. My suggestion would be to follow these step by step instructions on how to tie a sow but but base the colors used on what works best where you fish.

This step by step tutorial on how to tie a sow bug is from Fly Tying 123. They offer many other tutorials that I use and will probably post more from them later. Now on to the instructions. This step by step instruction using a rainbow pattern and as mentioned earlier I find using grey, tan or black on the Provo River works great.

Material

Hook: scud hook #14-16

Thread: Red 8/0 (as I mentioned I often use grey, tan and black)

Rib: Small gold wire (this color can be changed based on thread and dubbing color)

Center Strip: Black Flashabou

Dubbing: Rainbow Sow-Scud (again I tend to use grey, tan and black colors)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Wrap lead on the hook shank

2. Start thread in from of the lead and cover it with the thread

3. Smash the lead flat on the hook to flatten the overall profile of the fly.

4. Tie in the black flash lined up with the top of the hook. Tie in the wire on the far side of the hook.

6. Loosely apply the dubbing to the thread.

7. Dub the entire length of the hook. Be careful not to crowd the eye

8. Pull the black flash directly over the top of the fly and tie off.

9. Wrap the wire four or five times over the dubbing and tie off behind the eye. Be sure to wrap tightly as this will keep the fly intact.

10. Whip finish once, but don't cut the thread.

11. Using velcro, pick the dubbing.

12. While holding the dubbing away from the fly, trim each side 

13. Whip finish once more and apply head cement

There you have it. A step by step tutorial of how to tie a sow bug. Enjoy.

How to tie parachute posts, a Step-by-Step guide

As promised in the previous post. I would include a tutorial on how to tie a parachute post.

I found it took me a few tries to make the post look clean and stable. This is a pretty good step by step tutorial on how to tie a parachute post. In the post on how to tie a parachute adams, the post was made using white antron. I used that when i first started but now that I have more fly tying material I tend to use calf tail.

These step by step instructions on how to tie a parachute post are again by Chris Hatcher from www.questoutdoors.net

Material

white antron, calf tail or substitute.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Start the thread and wrap back about 1/3 the shank length

2. Place the post material above the shank and put 2-3 wraps to secure it to the top of the shank. The left over material to the rear can now be trimmed. Since mayfly bodies are tapered, make an angled cut. This will eliminate ta lump of material that would need to be covered later.

3. Make wraps over the material that was left over from trimming and advance the thread in front of the post. Wrap thread in front of the tie in point, building a tapered mount. If done properly this will hold the material upright.

4. Bring the thread up the post by starting at the base and wrapping upwards. Make tight successive wraps up then back down onto the shank. This distance you wrap up the post depends on how much hackle is used.

How to tie a Parachute Adams - Step by Step instructions

My second favorite dry fly would have to be the Parachute Adams. This fly works well for a variety of hatches. It almost like a one size fits all t-shirt. It may not imitate any particular hatch but it does cover many mayfly and caddis hatches.

If you have no experience tying a parachute style dry fly, I would recommend starting with a larger size hook.

This tutorial for the Parachute Adams dry fly comes from the Questoutdoors.net and was tied by Chris Hatcher. Another good tutorial for the parachute adams is at americanflyfishing.com. I use that one as a guide occasionally as well.

Material

Hook: TMC 100, #10-18

Thread: Black 8/0

Tail: Brown & Grizzly hackle

Body: Adam's color superfine dubbing

Post: White antron or substitute

Wing: Brown & Grizzly mix

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Start thread and wrap back to the barb tip

2. Tie in mix of brown and grizzly hackle. Use a stacker to align the tips. Make sure the fibers are all on the top of the hook shank

3. Tie in a post (my next post will be a tutorial on tying a parachute post).

4. Dub body up to post. The length of the post should be the length of the hook gap.

5. Tie in brown & grizzly hackle feathers.

6. Wrap the hackle starting at the top of the thread base on the post and work downward.

7. Ad a little bit of dubbing to the thread to cover the tie in spot and secure the hackle with 3 wraps

8. Tie off and trim any errant hackle fibers. Trim post to look like mayfly wings.