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

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One of those flies that doesn't exactly imitate any specific insect, yet it seems to work everywhere you take it, Marla Blair's Jailbird Nymph is a staple whether you're wading a New England freestone stream or are working a tight valley stream out west. Designed to be fished as a nymph or emerger, the Jailbird is a year-round pattern, and although its original colors are olive with red ribbing, this pattern can be fished in almost any color scheme you can come up with. Easy to tie and ultra-effective, it's worth having the Jailbird Nymph in your box everywhere you go.

Material List

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Step One

Establish a thread base by running thread from below the hook’s eye to right past the bend to start the pattern.

Step Two

We’re using red Ultra-Wire for the Jailbird’s ribbing section. Tie four inches of material on the shank, then cover with thread. Leave the rearward-facing material intact to work with later.

Step Three

For the Jailbird’s body, apply dubbing to the thread, then make overlapping wraps along the shank before stopping at the thorax.

Step Four

Complete the ribbing section by advancing the Ultra-Wire up the shank with evenly spaced wraps.

Step Five

Secure a small piece from the River Road Speckled Wing sheet above the thorax to begin the wingcase.

Step Six

To add bulk to the Jailbird’s thorax, apply additional dubbing to the thread and make several turns in front of the wingcase.

Step Seven

Complete the wingcase by folding the material forward, then tying it down below the eye. Next, pull the wing rearward and secure it at the same position where you initially tied it on. 

Step Eight

For the final step, apply more dubbing, make a few figure-eight wraps over the wingcase, then secure a whip finish.