

|
|
First published a long time ago - More than 38 years ago
Anatomy of A Salmon Fly
by Steve Schweitzer
Although each salmon fly pattern may call for its' own proportions and components, the following diagram and table identifies the standard anatomy and proportions used in salmon fly tying. Understanding proper proportions is essential to world-class salmon fly tying. (see also The Salmon Fly Proportion,
Design & Layout Guide)

| SALMON
FLY PROPORTION CHART
|
| Tag
|
With
the hook shank parallel to the tying surface, the tag
starts at the barb point and proceeds to the hook point.
The tag may consist of several materials such as tinsel
and floss.
|
| Tail
|
Length
is 1-1/2 of the hook gape, Height is 1/2 to equal of
the hook gape
|
| Tail
Veiling
|
Length
is 1/2 of the tail
|
| Butt
|
Typically
3-5 wraps of material: osterich, dubbing, etc.
|
| Body
|
From
the butt to 1 hook-eye length back from the head
|
| Ribbing
|
Generally,
palmered tinsel or floss; 5 wraps from butt to head
|
| Body
Hackle
|
A
feather folded over and palmered behind the
body ribbing
|
| Main
Wing
|
Length
is from the head to where the topping & roof meet
the tail, not to exceed out of the borders of the two
|
| Roof
|
Length
is from the head to the tailing, height is approx. equal
to 1/2 to 3/4 hook gape
|
| Topping
|
Length
is from the head to the tip of the tailing, height is
approx. equal to one hook gape.
|
| Shoulder(s)
|
Length
is approx 2/3 of main wing, or to the butt
|
| Cheek(s)
|
Length
is generally 1/2 of shoulder
|
| Horns
|
Length
equal to intersection of topping and tailing
|
| Throat
|
Length
is just a smidgen longer than the body palmered hackle
extending to 1/2 the distance from the hook eye and
hook point
|
| Throat
Veiling
|
Length
is max to the length of the throat, sparsely tied
|
| Head
|
Evenly
tapered and not grossly large. The smaller the better.
Finish with gloss coat on thread-based heads.
|
|

Did you find the above interesting? |
This other story related to "salmon flies" might also interest you:
The Salmon Fly Proportion, Design & Layout GuideSize matters: The first rule of salmonfly tying is preparation...gathering your materials, laying them out and sizing up the situation. If you are like me, many times you will have one material that is just a touch too short and you scramble to make it fit. But in the long run, it will never fit and the fly that you meticulously hovered over for many precious hours has that major flaw. More importantly, you'll never be happy with the finished product. If only you had pre-planned and sized up your materials ahead of time.
Go to the story
Click to see other stories with the keyword "salmon flies" |
| A few random articles for your entertainment |
|
Submitted December 31st 2006
Hello,
Could you tell me what spey fly uses Merganzer and Cermerrains feathers.
Thanks nice sight.