How to Tie The Bumblebee Fly Pattern

Aug 01, 2022 · 3 min read

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

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Bees are one of those terrestrials that are just about everywhere, and while they may not have the popularity of ants, hoppers, and beetles, there are days when catching fish relies on matching them. This Bumblebee Fly does an excellent job at imitating all species of bees, and whether you're chasing trout or panfish, this fly is an excellent choice. Made with durable floating foam, this fly rides high and makes a great choice when fishing a dry-dropper rig. Carry it in your box spring through fall, and you'll be shocked at how often this fly gets sucked down.

Recipe

Hook: Kona BC4 (size: 8)
Thread: Danville 210 Denier Flat Waxed Thread (color: black)
Body: Rainy's Bee/Wasp Body (color: black/yellow; size: 3/16")
Wing: Polypropolene Yarn (color: white)
Thorax: Ice Dub (color: UV Black)
Head: Hareline Thin Fly Foam (color: black; size: 2mm)

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Step One

Close-up of hands tying a black-and-yellow foam bumblebee fly body on textured mat, fly tying tools visible

Begin the pattern by cutting a slit in the Rainy’s Bee/Wasp materials end section. Set it aside, and we’ll return to it later.

Step Two

Close-up fly tying vise holding curved black hook with black thread wound on shank, prep for Bumblebee fly pattern tutorial

Establish a thread base by running the thread from below the eye to right above the bend.

Step Three

Black and yellow striped bumblebee fly pattern with foam body clamped in silver fly-tying vise on gray work mat

After establishing the thread base, apply super glue and seat the bee body on the shank, then clamp down with the thread on the material’s tip.

Step Four

Hands using silver scissors to trim black foam strip for bumblebee fly tying, vise and black thread spool visible

Prepare the foam for the head by clipping one-thirds of an inch of material off the square's edge and running its entire height. Next, taper one side of the foam’s end section with scissors and compress it with your thumb.

Step Five

Yellow-and-black striped foam bumblebee fly pattern mounted in vise with black rubber tail fly tying thread visible

Tie the compressed foam on top of the shank, right below the hook’s eye, with most of the material facing outward. Leave the excess material intact, and we’ll finish the head after tying on the wing and thorax.

Step Six

Yellow and black bumblebee fly pattern with white wing and long black rubber tail clamped in tying vise, fly fishing

Prepare the wing by clipping a section of Polypropylene Yarn, then gently use the bodkin to break the fibers apart. Next, twist the material’s center on the thread, then tie the tip at the thorax with the yarn extending just past the body’s rear.

Step Seven

Bumblebee fly pattern clamped in vise with yellow and black foam body, black chenille thorax, white wing tuft — fly fishing

For the thorax, apply dubbing to the thread, then make overlapping wraps from the wing to the eye.

Step Eight

Yellow and black bumblebee fly with foam black head and white synthetic tail mounted in vise for fly fishing tutorial

Complete the head by pulling the foam rearward and tying it down in front of the wing, then trimming the extra upward-facing material down to a quarter-inch.

Step Nine

Black foam bumblebee fly pattern with white synthetic tail and yellow-black striped rubber legs clamped in a vise

We are using yellow Grizzly Barred Rubber Legs for, you guessed it, the Bumblebee’s legs. Prepare the legs by clipping a small piece of material and cutting it in half. Tie one section at its center, before the thorax, then tie the second section on the opposite side.

Step Ten

Hand-held bumblebee fly pattern with black foam head, white and black tail and yellow-striped rubber legs for fly fishing.

Finish the fly by trimming the legs, then secure a whip finish. Now the Bumblebee is ready to hit the water.

Written by

Stephen D' Angelo

Stephen D'Angelo is a fly fishing expert with a passion for fly tying, gear, and time on the water. From small-stream trout to saltwater flats fishing, Stephen brings hands-on experience across a wide range of species and scenarios — and he's always happy to help you find the right setup for your next adventure.

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