Learn how to tie the Comet Fly pattern including step-by-step instructions, a video tutorial, pictures, and much more. Improve your fly tying skills here.

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Dating back to the 1940s, the Comet is a fly that's been catching fish for decades. With a bright and bold appearance, the Comet is an excellent fly for pursuing steelhead all year long. Although this fly was designed with steelhead in mind, it offers a profile that will appeal to anything from large trout to aggressive smallmouth. The Comet is easy to tie and one of those flies that you can tie in a nearly-endless amount of colors, making it a fly that should be in your box every day of the year.

Material List

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Step One

Begin the pattern by laying a thread base from below the hook's eye to right above the curve.

Step Two

The Comet's tail consists of orange bucktail. Pinch-wrap the material on top of the shank, make several wraps around the fibers and shank, then clip the forward-facing fabric.

Step Three

Next, secure the dumbbell eyes with figure-eight wraps below the hook's eye.

Step Four

Start the body section by tying the Flat Mylar Tinsel on the side of the shank with the silver side facing out.

Step Five

The Oval Tinsel material creates the fly's ribbing. Tie a strand next to the flat tinsel with the gold side facing out.

Step Six

Finish the body by advancing the Flat Mylar Tinsel with overlapping wraps up the shank, then tie the material down. Clip the tinsel after reaching a pencil's width from the dumbbell eyes.

Step Seven

Complete the ribbed section by running the Uni-French material up the shank with evenly spaced wraps. Be sure to secure the material at the same position as the Mylar Tinsel.

Step Eight

For the collar, begin by sweeping the saddle hackle's webby fibers back, then tie on below the dumbbell eyes at a 45-degree angle. 

Step Nine

Finish the collar by wrapping the saddle hackle at the neck several times while gently pulling the fibers rearward. Clip the excess material, then clean the pattern up by running the thread around the eyes.

Step Ten

The Comet Fly is ready to hit the water after securing a half-hitch, followed by a whip finish.