How to Tie the WD-40 Fly

A simple pattern that's tied to imitate midge pupae and Baetis nymphs, the WD-40 is a great pattern for western trout. This fly can be fished just under the surface as an emerger or with more traditional nymphing techniques under an indicator. This is also a really easy pattern to tie and can be tied in a variety of colors and styles. Tune in as Jared provides step-by-step instructions to tie this technical trout fly that everyone should have in their box from the western US and beyond.

Learn how to tie the WD-40 fly pattern including step-by-step instructions, a video tutorial, pictures, and much more. Improve your fly tying skills here.

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Materials:

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

Click the button below to shop the selection.

• Tiemco TMC 2487 - Size 16
• Veevus 12/0 Thread - Tan
• Hareline Mallard Flank - Natural
• Hareline Dry Fly Dubbing - Olive Green

Step One:

Start your thread behind the eye of the hook and wrap rearward before tying in the Mallard Flank Feathers. Choose a chunk of the Mallard Flank Feathers and tie the tail of the fly in on the bend of the hook. Make sure the tail extends roughly 1x the length of the hook shank. After tying in the tail, wrap rearward to position the tail at a downward-facing angle.

Step Two:

Next, create the body of the fly by taking touching turns up the hook shank with your thread. This fly is built to be thin and light so a thread body keeps the profile small and skinny. End the body a few eye-lengths back on the hook shank to leave room for the thorax.

Step Three:

Create the thorax of the fly with dubbing. Fashion a dubbing noodle on your thread with the dry fly dubbing and wrap just in front of the excess Mallard Flank to create a ball. This ball will later be covered with the Mallard Flank as a wing case.

Step Four:

Bring the excess Mallard Flank over top of the dubbing ball and tie it off right behind the hook eye. Build up a small head with your thread after tying the Mallard Flank down.

Step Five:

Snip the excess Mallard Flank and cover up the butt ends. Be sure to keep all materials out of your hook eye.

Step Six:

Throw a whip finish and you're done! This is a great emerger pattern for trout feeding in the film or just below the surface and can be swung when emerging insects are present. These flies are easy to tie and are highly effective in a variety of freshwater trout fishing scenarios.

Questions?

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