How to Tie the Hellgrammite Fly Pattern

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

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Hellgramites are large larva that hang out in swift current and provide calorie-rich meals to hungry fish. Whether you're feeding carp, chunky smallmouth, or massive trout, this fly gets the job done. Easily tied thanks to Pat Cohen's crafty Cohen's Creatures body material, this fly consists of only a few materials and is one that you can stock the box in just an evening or two.

Materials:

We've put together a kit that contains all the materials you need to tie this exact fly pattern.

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• Hook: Ahrex NS110 Streamer Hook (size: 4)
• Thread: Danville Flymaster Plus (size: 140 denier; color: black)
• Weight: Lead wire (size: .020)
• Body: Cohen's Creature--Hellgramite (Size: 2 1/4")
• Marker: Prismacolor Marker (color: black)
• Dubbing: Ice Dub (Color: UV Black)
• Ribbing: UTC Copper Wire (size: small; color: copper)
• Eyes: Hareline Black Painted Lead Dumbbell Eyes (size: medium)

Step One

Begin the pattern by coloring the Cohen's Creature cutout with the black marker.

Step Two

Start the tying process by running the thread from the hook's eye to the bend.

Step Three

Next, tie a piece of lead wire on each side of the shank. The wires should run the shank’s length, with just enough space for the dumbbell eyes.

Step Four

Secure the dumbbell eyes in front of the lead wire, on the opposite side of the hook's point. Run glue over the eyes for added durability after the eyes are positioned correctly.

Step Five

Tie in the copper wire at the shank's midsection, leaving four inches of material exposed.

Step Six

Prior to building the Hellgrammite’s body, spin dubbing onto the thread using the dubbing loop.

Step Seven

For the body, wrap the dubbing up the shank and secure the material below the dumbbell eyes.

Step Eight

Position the Cohen's Creature cutout on the side of the shank with the hook pointing up. Make sure the material's tip should start at the eye with the opposite side inserted through the hook's point.

Step Nine

Wrap the copper wire over the Cohen's Creature cutout and shank, then tie down at the dumbbell eyes.

Step Ten

Finish the tying process by securing a whip finish in front of the eyes

Step Eleven

Before the Hellgrammite is ready to crush big brown trout and smallmouth, pick the dubbing apart using the dubbing needle to help give a buggy profile.