Step-By-Step: Tying The Black Flash Jig
With the winter fast approaching, and with the grayling season now running at full steam ahead, I’m going to be posting a number of fly tying step-by-steps over the next few weeks. Focusing on a series of dries, emergers, and nymphs to imitate winter invertebrates, we’ll also be looking at a range of artificials which specifically target these ‘Ladies of the Stream’.
This first step-by-step below focuses on the Black Flash nymph tied on a jig hook, and is a great pattern to be fished on the point; the jig hook allowing the fly to fish vertically, keeping the hook point away from the river bed in an effort to further prevent snagging. Due to it’s dark colour, the pattern also lends itself well to fishing in slightly coloured waters and, thanks to the inclusion of Krystal Flash, this is a pattern which any self-respecting grayling would be loathe to refuse.
Happy nymphing!
The Black Flash Jig – Simple and highly effective…
Hook: Hanak Competition Jig, size #14
Bead-Head: 3mm Slotted Tungsten, plain
Thread: Sheer Ultrafine 14/0, black
Rib: Silver wire, fine
Abdomen: Beaver, black
Back & Tail: Hends Krystal Flash (folded three times)
Thorax: Beaver, black
Tying The Black Flash
1. Hanak Competition jig hook and a 3mm plain tungsten bead
2. Enter the thread and form a slim tapered body
3. Tie-in a silver rib by inserting the wire into the slotted bead and by running the thread down towards the bend of the hook
4. Working from the hook bend up, dub a slim, tapered abdomen of beaver, leaving enough room for the thorax to come shortly
5. At the thoracic area, take one strand of Krystal Flash, fold three times, and tie in
6. Secure the Krsytal Flash at the bend of the hook and counter-rib with the silver wire back up towards the hook eye
7. For the thorax, split the thread and insert a small pinch of beaver dubbing
8. After dubbing a neat thorax, whip finish, and trim the Krystal Flash to length. Hey presto!
The results…
Hi Gareth, good to see you back. That looks like a specalist hook, is it absolutely necessary? I’ll try tying one on a straight hook to see if it works.
Got a new Anvil Atlas vice from Grommit! Been fishing with Mostyn on one of your streams had a great day.
Thanks Phil, it’s good to finally be back!
Jig nymphs are part of the staple ‘nymph diet’ of both Czech and Polish anglers, and the reason for the hook eye pointing down is that the fly fishes vertically (head down). As jigs are usually used in multi-fly teams of nymphs, jigs lend themselves perfectly to being in the point position…rather than hooking bottom constantly, the hook point is a little more ‘out of the way’ than a traditionally shaped hook.
Well done on the vice also! As you know, I use the Atlas, and it’s a superb vice…you know how many flies I tie! It’s lasted really well.
I hope you liked the stream also, I’ve not fished with Mostyn anywhere near as much as I’d have liked this year, but I’ll look forward to the story soon
Hope you’re well Phil, and all the best,
Gareth
Hi Gareth good to have you back! would you consider tying this pattern with the flash on the underside?I was thinking as the jig hook fishes upside down if the flash nwas tied underneath it would then be on top when the fly inverts itself.Or is this just nitpicking and should Ijust tie the damn fly and get on with fishing it(if this bloody rain ever stops)?
Steve.
Had I read your post and reply to Phil properly there would have been no need for the above question.All the articles ive read about jig hook nymphs have said that they fish upside down and not vertically!!.Phil I recently upgraded to the Atlas and cant fault it and if its good enough for Mr Lewis enough said really.
Steve.
simple but effective. I like it