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The pattern notebook · dry

Missing Link

How do you tie a Missing Link?

Missing Link is a dry fly pattern for trout. Find its 8 materials and 23 tying steps below.

Difficulty
3 of 5
Target species
trout
Pattern designer
Mike Mercer

Added to catalog · Updated

At the vise

Materials

  • Hook: AHREX FW503 Dry Fly Light Barbless #14
  • Thread: UTC 70 Denier, Tan
  • Body: Hareline Midge Flash Pearl
  • Thorax: Hareline Ice Dub Olive Brown
  • Wing: Z-Lon Body Material, Ginger
  • Hackle: Yard Bird Hackle, Brown
  • Wing: Nature's Spirit Select Cow Elk, Bleached
  • UV Resin: Solarez Bone Dry

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Tying instructions

  1. Secure hook in vise and start thread behind the eye, leaving a small gap.

  2. Tie in Midge Flash Pearl at the tie-in point.

  3. Wrap thread back into the hook bend, creating a slight curve.

  4. Wrap Midge Flash Pearl forward in open spiral wraps to the tie-in point.

  5. Secure Midge Flash Pearl with a few thread wraps and trim excess.

  6. Dub Hareline Ice Dub Olive Brown onto the thread.

  7. Wrap dubbing forward to create a small ball at the tie-in point.

  8. Apply a small amount of UV resin to the dubbed body.

  9. Cure the UV resin with a UV light.

  10. Take a small clump of Z-Lon Body Material, Ginger, about 2 inches long, and split it in half.

  11. Tie in the Z-Lon Body Material at the tie-in point, with one side facing backwards.

  12. Pull the other side of the Z-Lon Body Material backwards and wrap thread over it to create a split-wing effect.

  13. Tie in Yard Bird Hackle, Brown, on the near side of the hook shank.

  14. Wrap the hackle counter-clockwise 3-4 times.

  15. Secure the hackle with thread wraps behind the eye.

  16. Trim excess hackle.

  17. Tie in Nature's Spirit Select Cow Elk, Bleached, with the tips extending slightly beyond the hook shank.

  18. Pull the butts of the elk hair back and secure with thread wraps in front of the wing.

  19. Trim the butts of the elk hair close to the tie-in point.

  20. Trim the Z-Lon Body Material wings to just past the length of the fly.

  21. Apply a small amount of UV resin to the head of the fly.

  22. Cure the UV resin with a UV light.

  23. Trim the butts of the elk hair to create a neat head.

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