How to Tie the Quill Gordon Fly

Apr 21, 2021 · 3 min read

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

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Quill Gordons are one of the first significant mayfly hatches on the east coast each year. They offer excellent early-season dry fly opportunities due to their relatively large size and prominence on the water. Theodore Gordon's Quill Gordon Dry Fly has been catching fish for over a century, and we're going to show you how to tie this classic Catskill-style dry.

Materials:

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Step One:

Black hook clamped in vise with pale tan quill-wrapped shank and fine tying thread — Quill Gordon fly tying

For the first step, create the pattern's body profile by wrapping the Uni-Thread around the hook's center. Tie the thread back up roughly three-fourths of the hook's shank.

Step Two:

Quill Gordon fly tied in vise: slender beige quill tail and silver thread body on dark hook against pale gray background

Next, make the Quill Gordon's wings by clipping the tip of the Mallards Flank Feathers off, then strip the fuzz off the feather. Make sure the wings are one and a half times the size of the hook's base, then tie them on. After clipping the fibers facing the hook's bend off, wrap the thread around the front of the remaining fibers. Tie a figure 8 around the center of the wings to secure them.

Step Three:

Tan Quill Gordon dry fly on black hook in vise, slim cream quill body, upright speckled hackle wing, long fine tail fibers

Moving onto the tail, take a few of the Mayfly Tail's fibers and tie them on one side of the hook for the tail profile. Secure the threads by making several wraps, then clip the material facing the hook's eye off. Repeat the process for the second tail by connecting them to the opposite side with multiple wraps. When tying, make sure to reposition the tail, so it is evenly spaced apart.

Step Four:

Quill Gordon dry fly in vise: tan quill-wrapped body, speckled upright feather wing and fine gray tail fibers

The body of the Quill Gordon consists of Peacock Herl. Strip the fibers off the herl by moving your thumb and index finger gently down the length of the herl several times. Place the tip right below the wing section and wrap it to the tail nice and tight. Take the herl's end section, wrap it until you get right below the wing, and tie it off.

Step Five:

Quill Gordon dry fly with olive-brown ribbed body, gray hackle and pale quill wing clamped in vise on pale gray background

For the final step, tie the dry fly hackle below the wings and secure the thread right behind the eye. Pull the fibers parallel to the shank, then wrap them several times behind the wings. Repeat this process in front of the wings, then tie the feathers behind the eye with a half-hitch. Complete the pattern by securing another half-hitch below the eye.

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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