How To Tie The Flex Fleye Fly Pattern

May 05, 2022 · 3 min read

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

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The Flex Fleye is an awesomely simple fly designed by New Jersey’s own Bob Popovic. The fly utilizes UV Flex which gives the fly incredibly realistic movement that predatory fish find hard to resist. You can tie this up in various colors to match the baitfish in your area, but we’re tying a mackerel imitation in anticipation of striper season here in Maine.

Material List

Hook: Ahrex SA280
Thread: UNI-Mono Thread
Body: Hareline Flat Diamond Braid - Pearl
Hareline Rams Wool - White
Steve Farrar SF Blend (UV Mackeral & White)
Glue: Solarez Flex Formula Resin

Buy Material Kit

Step One

Silver curved fly hook clamped in white-and-brass vise on soft gray background, fly tying setup for Flex Fleye pattern

Start the pattern by establishing a thread base from below the hook's eye to the bend.

Step Two

White translucent Flex Fleye synthetic fiber tied to curved hook in vise, close-up fly tying tool and gray background

For the underbody, tie the Flat Diamond Braid below the eye, then cover the material with thread. Be sure to leave the rear material exposed.

Step Three

Fly tying vise with hook wrapped in white synthetic Flex Fleye body and pale blue thread, metal bobbin and needle tools

Next, wrap the Flat Diamond Braid material up the shank with tight, overlapping turns, then tie it below the eye.

Step Four

White Flex Fleye fly pattern with flowing synthetic hair wing on a silver hook in a vise, fly tying

Secure a small clump of ram’s wool on top of the shank with the material extending past the hook’s curve, then clip the forward-facing material.

Step Five

White Flex Fleye fly pattern with synthetic fiber wing tied to curved hook in vise.

We are now working with SF Blend for the Flex Fleye’s body. Secure a section of the white-colored material above the ram’s wool with fibers extending past both sides of the hook. Pull the forward-facing material rearward, then make several supporting wraps in front of the fibers.

Step Six

Vise holding a hook with tapered pale blue and white synthetic fibers forming a Flex Fleye fly pattern for fly tying

Moving onto the UV Mackeral SF Blend, secure a smaller piece on top of the white SF Blend, fold the outward-facing material back and make additional wraps for security.

Step Seven

Pale blue-white synthetic hair Flex Fleye tied on curved hook in vise, tying thread visible — fly pattern for fly fishing

The Flex Fleye’s tying portion is finished after securing two whip finishes in front of SF Blend material.

Step Eight

Hands applying adhesive to pale green synthetic fibers on a hook secured in vise for Flex Fleye fly tying

Flex Resin is crucial for giving the Flex Fleye its movement and enhances the fly’s durability. Apply the Flex Resin to the head, then gently work it rearward with the bottle’s tip, creating an even resin layer.

Step Nine

Translucent white and blue synthetic fibers tied as Flex Fleye fly pattern on hook in fly-tying vise with purple LED light

Now that the first coating is complete, hit the fly with UV light to cure the resin.

Step Ten

Pale blue Flex Fleye fly pattern with translucent synthetic fibers and silver bead eyes clamped in a fly-tying vise

Immediately after curing the resin, apply the adhesive eyes on both sides of the shank.

Step Eleven

Hands applying adhesive to translucent pale blue synthetic fibers on hook with bead eyes in vise, fly tying Flex Fleye

The Flex Fleye is nearly finished, but we need to apply one more coating of Flex Resin over the eyes.

Step Twelve

White synthetic Flex Fleye tied on hook in a vise over purple LED light, close-up fly tying of baitfish-style fly

Run the UV light over the eyes, and the Flex Fleye is ready to hit the surf!

Written by

Ben Freeman

Ben Freeman founded Trident Fly Fishing in 2012 to cut through the marketing fluff and provide anglers with the technical info they actually need. He’s built his reputation by putting gear to the ultimate test in the world’s most unforgiving fisheries. With fishing stamps from over 22 countries and 17+ states, Ben’s passport is a roadmap of bucket list angling—from landing a 25lb Golden Dorado in Bolivia and 150lb Arapaima in Guyana to sight-casting for Roosterfish off the beaches in Baja. Whether it’s battling 60+mph winds to land a 20lb Rainbow at Jurassic Lake or a full day of casting 8in streamers in Mongolia, Ben has spent decades ensuring his gear performs when a trip of a lifetime is on the line.

At Trident, Ben serves as the lead gear geek, specializing in the deep-dive mechanics of rods, reels, and lines. Over the past 15 years, he's reviewed 250+ fly rods and 150+ fly reels and is likely one of the most prolific rod reviewers in the world. But he doesn't just curate the catalog; he scrutinizes every taper and drag system through the lens of a traveling angler who knows what it's like to have gear fail a thousand miles from home. For Ben, the mission is simple: leverage his experience across nearly 100 species to ensure that when you head into the wild, you’re equipped with gear that has been vetted by someone who has actually been there.

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