“Y”?  Why not?  In the modern age of multi-tasking, this one fly has the potential to cover numerous angling situations and hatch conditions.  The Y Fly was originally designed for use as a mayfly emerger or crippled emerger but it has also proved itself as a suitable spinner imitation as well as a decent searching pattern.  When tied in various sizes and natural colors the Y Fly performs well during mayfly emergences and if tied in non-traditional colors such as gold, silver or pearl, the Y Fly becomes a really appetizing attractor pattern.

The Y Fly conforms to all criteria that make up what I call the “guide’s fly” philosophy.  Those criteria are inherent characteristics which result in a fly that in many different ways is very minimalistic.  Simplicity, functionality and durability mark the essence of flies conforming to the “guide’s fly” philosophy with other attributes of  this genre being short material lists, uncomplicated tying techniques, inexpensive and readily available components and a minimal investment of time.  The Y Fly has a very short, inexpensive material list incorporating materials that are readily available at most any fly shop.  The total number of steps is few and the techniques necessary for the construction are almost rudimentary.  After the tying sequences are learned, the Y Fly will require a minimal investment of time and money in its construction which equates into a simplistic, productive and very expendable fly.

As stated, the tying techniques are almost rudimentary and the number of steps is few in number.  After the hook is mounted in the jaws and the thread attached at the 1/3 point behind the hook-eye, about 6 to 8 fibers of clear Antron are tied in as a trailing shuck.  They should extend past the bend to a distance about equal to the shank-length.  Wrap the thread back to the tie-in point and attach a small clump of fine deer hair that has been cleaned of the underfur.  If the quality of the hair is high and care is taken when clipping it from the hide, there won’t be a need for stacking or evening the tips.  Otherwise, stack the hair a few times and tie in the deer hair at the tie-in point (1/3 point behind the eye) so the tips extend out over the hook-eye a distance approximating shank length.  The wraps used to tie the hair in should get progressively tighter to bind the material to the shank.  Do not let go of the butts of the deer hair.  After about 6 or 8 wraps of thread bind the hair down, trim the butts as close to the wraps as possible.  Next, lift the tips of the deer hair and wrap 3 or 4 times in front of the wing.

Wrap the thread back to the bend, apply the appropriate color of dubbing to match the natural that is being imitated and advance the dubbed thread up the hook-shank to the point where the wing-butts are just covered with dubbing.  Apply more dubbing to the thread if necessary and divide the wing into two equally-sized parts.  Cris-cross the dubbed thread over and through the divided wings.  Bring the thread under the shank then over and back through the divided wing to complete the “X”.  At this point the thread should be behind the far wing.  Gently lift the wings and advance the dubbed thread forward, under the wings and form a small, tapered “head” in front of the wings.  Form a small thread head, whip-finish and cement.  The completed fly should have forward-facing, divided wings which are slightly canted up from the horizontal plane about 20 degrees or less.

Aside from the dubbed Y Fly in hatch-matching colors, the fly tied with a mylar tinsel body has also proven very productive.  The tying sequence is similar except for substituting gold, silver or pearl mylar tinsel for the dubbed thread covering the abdomen.  After the abdomen has been covered, tie the tinsel off just behind the wing and trim the excess material.  At this junction, apply black or peacock-colored dubbing to the thread and continue with the cris-cross technique to divide the wings and form the head.  These variations have proven irresistible during certain hatch conditions as well as being very productive even when surface and slightly sub-surface activity was not readily apparent.

The "Y" Fly

• Hook: Daiichi 1180 (standard dry fly)
• Thread: Gudebrod 6/0, color to suit
• Tail: 6 to 8 clear or white Antron fibers
• Body: Scintilla, color to match, or mylar tinsel (gold, silver or pearl)
• Wing: Fine, natural deer hair

At one time or another we have all probably asked “who, what, where, when, and how?” about tying a fly and catching a fish.  But why ask “Y”?  Just try this fly!

Don Johnson is an environmental chemist by profession who is also contract fly tier for Pacific Fly Group and enjoys appointments to the following manufacturer’s pro-staffs: The Norlander Company (Nor-Vise), Daiichi/Angler Sport Group, Gudebrod Inc., Ross Reels and St. Croix Rod Company.

Copyright 2003
Don Johnson