How to Tie the Duracell Fly Pattern

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

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An easy pattern to tie that's super effective nearly everywhere you drift it, Craig McDonald's Duracell is a must-have anytime you're spending an afternoon Euro nymphing. Tied on a jig-style hook, this fly rides hook point up and lets you get deep into those rocky seams, and with an Ice Dub body, it works wonders when getting the attention of fish around you. Tie it in a variety of sizes and whatever colors match the forage in your system, this is a fly that you'll want in the box all year long.

Recipe

• Umpqua XT 500- Size 14
• Hareline Slotted Tungsten Bead- 1/8" Gold
• Danville Lead Wire- .025
• Uni 6/0 Thread- Brown
• Coq De Leon- Medium Speckled Pardo
• UTC Brassie Wire- Red
• UV Ice Dub- Brown
• CDC Oiler Puffs- Slate

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Step One

Before starting your thread, add a Slotted Tungsten Bead to your hook and then take a few wraps of lead wire on the body, before pushing it forward into the bead. This will add additional weight while also keeping your bead in place.

Step Two

Start your thread with a jam knot just behind the lead wire. Take a few turns behind the wire and over it before bringing your thread to the bend of the hook.

Step Three

Select a bunch of Coq De Leon fibers and measure them to be roughly the length of the hook shank, before tying them in--Jared notes that he prefers a longer and more full tail on this fly for the waters he fishes, but a shorter and sparser tail is certainly a fine option too. When tying the fibers in, it can be helpful to tie them on the side of the shank facing you, before rolling them onto the top of the hook shank. Once tied in, wrap the excess to the start of the lead wire and cut the rest off.

Step Four

Get a piece of UTC Brassie Wire and tie it in just behind the lead wraps. Then, wrap rearward to be just in front of the tail.

Step Five

Dub some Ice Dub onto your thread. With this fly, you're looking to achieve a relatively slim body, so be sure not to overdo the amount of dubbing you're using. Once you have a dubbing noodle on your thread, wrap forward and leave some space behind the bead so as to save room to tie down the wire and create a collar.

Step Six

Now take the wire and wrap forward with open, evenly-spaced gaps. Once you've ribbed the body, tie the wire off and remove the excess.

Step Seven

Select a CDC plume and tie it in by the tip just behind the bead.

Step Eight

Take a few wraps with the feather to form a collar--while wrapping, be sure to sweep the fibers rearward so that they lay correctly. Once the collar is complete, tie the feather off and trim the excess.

Step Nine

Dub some more Ice Dub on your thread and wrap it behind the bead to form thorax and cover the thread wraps created by forming the collar.

Step Ten

Whip finish the fly, add some head cement of your choice, and trim the thread.

The Duracell is now complete and ready to be fished on your favorite Euro Nymphing rod. Shop our full selection of Euro nymphing & jig flies if you'd rather buy than tie.