Published Apr 2. 2023 - 1 year ago
Updated or edited Apr 6. 2023

The Third Yarn Thief

How to tie the fly pattern that I "invented" in connection with a discussion about coming up with new fly patterns.

Buggers
Sea trout flies
Martin Joergensen
Third Yarn Thief
Third Yarn Thief
Martin Joergensen

The history of this fly is covered in depth in the article How to invent a fly pattern. But since a few asked me for an SBS while this was going on back in December 2022, I thought I'd bring you the fly pattern here.
It's a fairly simple fly, but thanks to its colors and the ribbed segments it appears nice and pretty fancy.

Third Yarn Thief
Pattern type: 
Cold saltwater fly
Originator: 
Martin Joergensen

A grub style fly for sea trout and other species.

Species: 
brook trout, brown trout, cutthroat, largemouth bass, sea trout (sea run)
Materials: 
Hook
Ahrex Bomber #2
Thread
Black 8/0
Tail
Soft black feather like Black Bird Fur Chickabou or marabou and a few straws of clear flash
Rib
Flat silver tinsel, small
Rear body
Warm yellow yarn
Center hackle
Brahma hen dyed partridge
Front body
Orange yarn
Front hackle
Brahma hen dyed partridge
Head
Black tying thread, varnished
Skill level/difficulty: 
A little difficult
Instruction: 
  1. Start the thread at the hook bend
  2. Tie in 2-4 straws of flash, about half shank length
  3. Tie in the soft black feather and wrap 2-4 times
  4. Tie down and trim remaining butt
  5. Tie slightly down to make a tail
  6. Tie in the rib
  7. Tie in the yellow yarn
  8. Wrap forwards to the center of the shank
  9. If it's very thin or you want a fat body on the fly, you may need 2-3 layers of yarn
  10. Tie down and trim
  11. Wrap the rib in 4-6 turns over the rear body
  12. Tie down and bring tag forwards
  13. Don't trim!
  14. Prepare and tie in the first Brahma feather
  15. Wrap 2-4 times
  16. Tie down and trim remaining tip
  17. Tie in the orange yarn and wrap forwards to the front of the shank
  18. Leave room for a hackle and the head
  19. Tie down and trim yarn
  20. Wrap the rib in 4-6 turns over the front body
  21. Tie down and trim
  22. Prepare and tie in the second Brahma feather
  23. Wrap 2-4 times
  24. Tie down and trim remaining butt
  25. Form a head
  26. Whip finish, trim and varnish
  27. Trim the flash in the tail if too long

Thread
Flash
Trapping
Loops
Pull back
Tail
Cut
Tail feather
Prepared
Tie in
Trim stem
Wrap and tie down
Form tail
Rib
Tied in
Yellow yarn
Tied in
Wrapping
Tie down and trim
Wrap rib
Tie down and DON'T trim!
First hackle
Wrap
Bring back rib
Tie in yarn
Wrap yarn
Tie down and trim
Wrap the rib
Front hackle
Curved side forward
Wrap the hackle
Tie down and trim
Stroke back
Form a head
Whip finish
Trim tail
Varnish head
2-3 layers makes it nice
Done!
Martin Joergensen
Wool yarn is great
Wool yarn is great for this fly
Martin Joergensen

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