How to Tie the Jailbird Fly Pattern

Feb 24, 2022 · 2 min read

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

Hook: Daiichi 1130 (Size: 12)
Thread: UNI-Thread (Size: 8/0; Color: Tan)
Ribbing: UTC Ultra Wire (Color: Red)
Dubbing: Hairline Super Fine Dry Fly (Color: Olive)
Wing: River Road Speckled Wing

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Step One

Bronze fly hook clamped in vise with white tying thread, ready for Jailbird fly tying tutorial

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

Step Two

Jailbird fly being tied: tan thread wrapped on curved hook with copper wire in vise, fly tying close-up

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

Chartreuse dubbing wrapped on a curved gold hook held in a vise with pink tying thread, Jailbird fly pattern

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

Step Four

Yellow-green Jailbird fly in progress: thread-wrapped curved hook with red ribbing held in vise, fly tying thread hanging

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

Step Five

Olive green and tan Jailbird fly tied on a fly-tying vise, segmented thread-wrapped body on small curved hook

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

Step Six

Olive-yellow Jailbird fly pattern on small curved hook with red ribbing and white synthetic wing in vise, fly tying

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

Olive-yellow Jailbird fly with red ribbing and white foam head on hook in vise, fly fishing tutorial

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

Chartreuse Jailbird fly pattern with red ribbing and gold bead head on curved hook in vise, fly tying close-up

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

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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