The pattern notebook · nymph
Search and Destroy
How do you tie a Search and Destroy?
Search and Destroy is a nymph fly pattern for trout. Find its 9 materials and 21 tying steps below.
- Difficulty
- 3 of 5
- Target species
- trout
- Pattern designer
- James Garrettson
Added to catalog · Updated
At the vise
Materials
- Hook: Ahrex FW555 #16
- Thread: TheFlySmith 12/0 Traditional Waxed, Black
- Bead: Saluda Beads
- Tail: Coq de Leon
- Body: Pheasant tail fibers
- Flash: Large opal tinsel
- Hotspot: Fulling Mill 340D floss
- CDC: Fulling Mill, Black
- Collar: Magpie Materials squirrel dubbing
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Tying instructions
Place bead on hook and secure hook in vise.
Start thread behind the bead and wrap thread down the shank to the bend.
Flatten the thread slightly.
Advance thread back up the shank.
Tie in Coq de Leon fibers at the bend for the tail.
Trim excess tail material.
Tie in golden olive brassy wire on the far side of the hook shank.
Tie in large opal tinsel.
Tie in pheasant tail fibers.
Wrap the pheasant tail fibers forward to create the body, then tie off and trim excess.
Wrap the golden olive brassy wire forward to rib the body, then tie off and trim excess.
Turn the vise upside down.
Tie in Fulling Mill 340D floss for the hotspot.
Pull the floss back and secure it with thread.
Trim the floss.
Split the thread with a Daniel Wilmer tool.
Insert black CDC into the split thread.
Wrap the thread to secure the CDC.
Dub Magpie Materials squirrel dubbing to create a collar.
Whip finish and trim thread.
Brush out the squirrel dubbing.