This is another fly that every fly fisherman must consider when stocking his dry fly box before a trip. The story of this fly goes back to the 40´s when it was named “Algonquin” and used by northern Michigan Indians. A few decades later, this fly was refined and acquired different names such as View more...This is another fly that every fly fisherman must consider when stocking his dry fly box before a trip. The story of this fly goes back to the 40´s when it was named “Algonquin” and used by northern Michigan Indians. A few decades later, this fly was refined and acquired different names such as Tom Thumb, Little Jack Horner and Goofus Bug; until it became the fly we use nowadays, the popular “Humpy”, a name credited to Leonard “Boots” Allen of Wyoming.Attractive in all its versions, the Humpy is a very effective dry fly that can be used in many situations. Although it doesn’t imitate any particular insect, it is so buggy looking that trout may confuse it with mayflies or terrestrial insects. Due to its high buoyancy and because it is easy to spot, it is a great fly for fast moving waters. This attractor pattern may be tied in big hooks (#8) or really small ones (#18), if you dare to do so.Its design and craftsmanship are quite complicated, and it is a real challenge for beginners to get its proportions correctly.Humpy Adams, Double Humpy, Black, Blonde, Green, Olive, Yellow, Orange, Red, Royal, Royal Green, Royal Yellow, are some of some of its variations found in dry fly books.Here I will describe how to tie the Red Humpy.
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List of materials
MATERIALSHook: Mustad 94840 or similar, sizes from #8 to #18.Thread: 8/0, Brown or black.Tail: Moose hair.Abdomen: Red floss.Abdomen cover (overbody): Elk hair.Wings: Elk hair tips, used for the overbody section.Hackle: Dark brown.
Steps
Step 1
Tie the tail of the fly. Its length should be equivalent to the hook shank, going halfway from the hook shank to its bend.
Step 2
Even out some elk hair. Its length should cover the section going from the hook eye to the tail end.
Step 3
Tie the elk hair strap right where the tail was tied, and up to where the tail begins.
Step 4
Shape up the abdomen with floss.
Step 5
Take the elk strap to the front of the fly, without dragging the tail hair, and tie it on the hook shank.
Step 6
Separate the elk hair tips evenly. Then wrap these with thread, at their base. This should make the V-shaped wings.
Step 7
Pick a feather with fibers as long as 1 ½ hook gapes. Trim some millimeters off at the base so that it isn’t loose when wrapped.
Step 8
Tie the feather behind the wings.Wrap the feather from the back all the way up to the hook eye. Trim, whip finish and cement.
