Phill's Fly-Tying

 Leadheaded Black Tadpole

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Materials:

Hook: D/E sizes 8 or 10 LS

Silk: Black

Tail: Black Marabou

Body: ¾ Black Marabou and Peacock Herl with Medium Lead Under Body

Rib: Medium Silver Tinsel

Method:

  1. Commence by running the tying silk to the bend of the hook and tie in the tail of Black Marabou.

  2. Catch in the medium silver tinsel rib.

  3. To form the body take a pinch of black marabou and tie in by the tips. Take the silk over the excess marabou to bind it down to the hook, leave the silk ¾ of the way up the shank.

  4. Using the thumb and forefinger twist the fibres of marabou that were tied in by the tips into a short yarn, then take it down the hook in touching turns to form the body and tie it off when the silk is reached and trim the excess.

  5. Having formed an even body follow it with the rib. 4 or 5 turns are plenty and trim the excess.

  6. Take a length of medium lead wire and catch it in where the body finishes. That done catch in 4 strands of peacock Herl.

  7. Now make about 8 turns of the lead up towards the eye, tie down and trim off excess.

  8. Twist the 4 peacock herl strands by gripping with a hackle plier and turning. Take the rope over the lead and tie off just in front of the eye. Form a neat head, whip finish and varnish.