Wire-Gill Bucktail

Hook: Almost any straight-eye hook, size 6 or
larger. The fly in the tying photo sequence is
tied on a Gamakatsu SP11-3L3H tinned hook.
Other Aberdeen-style hooks work just as well.
Thread: Whatever you like, from size 8/0 (70
denier) to Monocord. Use a color that roughly
matches the top layer of wing material.
Gills and weight: Red Ultra Wire. Use the large
size for more weight, and the medium or
Brassie size for less.
Wing: Bucktail, calftail, fox tail, llama, or your
favorite fine synthetic hair. Add a topping of
darker hair to give the fly a dark back like
a minnow’s.
Eyes: Adhesive prismatic eyes or painted eye
spots.
Head coating: Epoxy, Softex, Loon Hard Head,
or homemade finish consisting of Household
Goop thinned with toluene.