Fly Tying Tips
by Julie Ray

You can now talk to Julie at
JulieFly@aol.com

Mosquito

Hook: Standard dry fly, sizes #12 to #18
Thread: Black 6/0
Tail: Grizzley hackle fibers
Body: Moose mane-one white & one dark, wound at the same time, for segments
Wings: Grizzly hen hackle tips
Hackle: Grizzly dry fly hackle

The old mosquito, what angler hasn't heard of & fished this fly? If you think about it, it is more of a wide range fly than a specific one, the adult insect isn't really on the water in quantity to provide a reliable fish food, but it works quite well all the same. In fact, according to "Trout & Salmon Fly Index", this pattern came to the colonies with the English, Jeez, no wonder it's familiar. Although it's tied in many ways, this is my all time favorite.

To tie: Start thread at mid-shank. Gather and tie in a small bundle of grizzly hackle fibers for the tail. Keep the proportions correct; the tail should be one hook shank in length. Tie in the tail at mid-shank, then walk the thread back to the point of the barb, this will reduce tail flare. Tie in the moose mane fibers & wind forward covering 2/3 of the hook shank. Select a nice pair of grizzly hackle tips, I like to use small hen hackle for this. Position them back-to-back and tie securely. These wings should be as tall as one hook shank length. Select a top grade grizzly hackle, sized for the hook you are using and wind equal wraps behind and in front of the wings.

There you have it, the old reliable mosquito!

See you next time,

Julie

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