Fly of the Month - November 2009

Hanson Assassin

Hook:              #18 Tiemco Barbless Dry Fly, down eye, 1x fine, wide gap
Head:              1/16 th gold bead
Body:              6/0 black thread
Tail:                 Red duck biot (3)
Wire:               Red Ultra Wire
Hackle:           Gray Grizzly hackle

I made up this fly because I was getting a lot strikes on any fly that had red, so I figured I would try something a little different.

The most difficult thing about tying this fly is getting the bead onto the hook. Install the bead and then make a couple of wraps (clockwise) with the thread and then tie on a short piece of red wire. I try to push the end of the wire up into the bead and lay it on the hook and begin wrapping it down towards the bend. When you get to about the middle of the hook, tie on the tail (it should extend past the hook approximately ¼ inches. Cut the loose ends near the bead and continue wrapping the hook, wire, and tail biots to the bend. Now wrap back toward the eye to build up the body (make sure that you cover the cut loose ends of the tail). When you wrap up the bead, start wrapping the wire (counterclockwise) towards the bead. You should get about five wraps. I then wrap the thread around the wire and then cut or break it off near the bead. Tie on the hackle and a few wraps and then tie it off with the thread. Whip finish and there you have it.

I fished this fly on September 23 and caught 22 fish in less than 2 hours. I had numerous strikes and I’m much too proud to tell you how many I lost right at my feet! It can be fished either dry or wet; I was getting hits both ways! Good luck.

Joe Hanson

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