Skitterbug SBS

[ScottP]

Found this while poking around the Old Flies section. A neat alternative to a hackled spider (deer hair's a lot easier for me to come by than quality hackle in the larger sizes, and the butts provide a little additional floatation); simple and quick to tie.


hook - Mustad 94863 #8 (since I'm tying an old fly, might as well use an old hook; think I bought this box in 1973 with my first flyrod, a Fenwick FF756)
thread - UTC 140 tan
body/"hackle" - deer hair

Part 1


attach thread above hook point





clean, stack a clump of deer hair; measure for length (hook shank)





lay on shank with tips facing forward





2 soft loops, pull firmly and allow hair to spin around shank





wrap thread forward (the greater the separation between the 2 the easier it is to spin the 2nd bunch of deer hair)





clean, stack, measure another clump; repeat tie-in with tips facing towards the rear





spin hair and push the 2 clumps together with fingernails