Fly Tying Videos: How to Tie Flies for Freshwater and Saltwater

How to tie a Palolo Worm Fly with a Weedguard

2011-03-17T09:46:00.002-06:00

How to tie a
Palolo Worm Fly
with a Weedguard
by Capt. Matt Thomas

RipLips.com

~Click on any image to enlarge~

Materials List:

~Click on any image to enlarge~

Step By Step:

Start a hook with red thread

Add a strip of rabbit for the tail

Tie in crystal chenille

Add a 20 lb. flourocarbon weedguard
and whip finish

Trim and complete

Palolo Worm Fly

RipLips.com

How to tie a great Bonefish Fly

2011-03-17T08:45:00.000-06:00

How to tie a
Great Bonefish Fly
by Capt. Matt Thomas

RipLips.com

~Click on any image to enlarge~

Materials List:

~Click on any image to enlarge~

Step By Step:

Start by slightly bending
the eye of a hook

Tie on eyes

Add a clump of marabou

Whip finish

Use a marker to color the fly

Primp and complete

Great Bonefish Fly

RipLips.com

How to tie a Big Red Shark Fly

2011-03-17T08:13:00.000-06:00

How to tie a
Big Red Shark Fly
by Capt. Matt Thomas

RipLips.com

Materials List:

~Click on any image to enlarge~

Step by step:

Start a big strong hook

Tie in a tail with red feathers
(6-8 feathers)

(Top view of tail)

Add a bit of Flashabou

"Lock" the middle of the fly with glue

Tie in a clump of marabou
for the collar of the fly

Whip Finish, glue and complete the fly

Big Red Shark Fly

RipLips.com

How to tie a Chartreuse and Black Pike Fly

2011-03-17T07:49:00.000-06:00

How to tie a
Chartreuse and Black Pike Fly
by Capt. Matt Thomas

RipLips.com

Materials List:

~Click on any image to enlarge~

Step by Step:

Start a strong hook with
a big gap.

Tie in the tail of the fly
(6-8 feathers)

Now tie in a clump of marabou
for the collar

Add another clump of marabou,
whip finish and complete the fly.

Chartreuse and Black Pike Fly

RipLips.com

How to tie a Marabou Cockroach Tarpon Fly

2011-03-15T14:11:00.001-06:00

How to tie a
Marabou Cockroach Tarpon Fly
by Capt. Matt Thomas

RipLips.com

~Click on any image to enlarge~
Materials List:

~Click on any image to enlarge~

Step By Step:

Start a hook

Add a grizzly hackle tail

Tie in a brown clump of marabou
for the collar, whip finish and complete
the fly

Marabou Cockroach Tarpon Fly

RipLips.com

How to tie a Black Death Tarpon Toad

2011-03-15T14:00:00.001-06:00

How to tie a
Black Death Tarpon Toad
by Capt. Matt Thomas

RipLips.com

~Click on any image to enlarge~
Materials List:

~Click on any image to enlarge~

Step By Step:

Start a hook

Add a rabbit strip for the tail
and tie it up so that it does not
wrap around the hook
(snarfle guard)

Tie in a marabou collar

Now add body segments

Tie in bead chain eyes and
whip finish the fly

Trim the body

Lock it down with glue and
complete the fly

Black Death Tarpon Toad

RipLips.com

How to tie a Black and Purple Tarpon Fly

2011-03-12T16:16:00.000-07:00

How to tie a
Black and Purple Tarpon Fly
by Capt. Matt Thomas

RipLips.com

Materials List:

~Click on any image to enlarge~

Step By Step:

Start a hook

Add a tail of purple feathers
Tie them up to keep them from
wrapping around the hook
(Snarfle Guard)

Tie in a black marabou collar

Trim, whip finish and complete your

Black and Purple Tarpon Fly

RipLips.com

How to tie a Black and Purple Tarpon Toad

2011-03-12T16:11:00.000-07:00

How to tie a
Black and Purple Tarpon Toad
by Capt. Matt Thomas

RipLips.com

~Click on any image to enlarge~

Materials List:

~Click on any image to enlarge~

Step By Step:

Start a hook

Tie in a strip of purple rabbit
for the tail

Wrap the tail with thread
to keep the fly from
getting caught on itself
(Snarfle Guard)

Tie in a marabou collar

Tie in a few body segments

Tie in bead chain eyes

Trim the body of the fly

Glue and complete your

Black and Purple Tarpon Toad

RipLips.com

How to tie a Black and Purple Tarpon Bunny

2011-03-12T15:29:00.000-07:00

How to tie a
Black and Purple Tarpon Bunny

By Capt. Matt Thomas

RipLips.com

~Click on any image to enlarge~

Materials List:

~Click on any image to enlarge~

Step by Step:

Start a hook and tie in a rabbit strip.
Wrap the strip into a post to prevent
it from wrapping on the hook
(Snarfle Guard)

Tie in a rabbit strip collar. Be sure to
"lock the strip with a few wraps in the
middle of the hook.

Whip finish and complete the fly.

Black and Purple Tarpon Toad

RipLips.com

How to tie a Little White Mayfly Nymph

2010-11-22T11:41:00.000-07:00

How to tie a
Little White Mayfly Nymph
by Capt. Matt Thomas

RipLips.com

RipLips.com

~Click on any image to enlarge~

Materials List:

~Click on any image to enlarge~

~Click on any image to enlarge~

Step By Step:

Place a small bead on a small hook

Start your thread

Tie in a tail

Tie in copper wire for the body

Wrap the Copper wire forward

Add a stout hackle

Spin the hackle, trim and whip finish to complete the fly!

RipLips.com

How To Tie A Black And White Mayfly Emerger

2010-11-21T09:42:00.000-07:00

How to tie a Black and White Mayfly Emerger
by Capt Matt Thomas

RipLips.com

RipLips.com

~Click any image to enlarge~

Materials List:

~Click on any image to enlarge~

Step By Step:

First, start a hook with a bead and thread

Next, tie in pheasant for the tail

Now tie in copper wire for the rib

Wrap the pheasant forward in one direction

And the copper wire forward in the other direction

Tie in a clump of white material for the wing

Add a small amount of dubbing at the head of the fly

Finally, whip finish and complete your Black and White Mayfly Emerger!

RipLips.com

How to tie a Copper Spinner

2010-10-26T00:05:00.000-06:00

How to tie a Copper Spinner

by Capt. Matt Thomas

RipLips.com

Materials List:

~Click on any image to enlarge~

~Click on any image to enlarge~

Step by Step:

Start a hook with a small bead

Tie in a tail

Tie in copper wire and wrap in forward

Finally, add a stout hackle and whip finish to complete the fly

RipLips.com

How to tie a Colorado River Special

2010-10-23T14:45:00.000-06:00

How to tie a Colorado River Special
by Capt. Matt Thomas

RipLips.Com

RipLips.com

~Click on any image to enlarge~

Materials List:

~Click on any image to enlarge~

Step By Step:

Place a bead on a hook

Wrap the hook with lead wire

Now start the thread

Tie in a tail

Add a copper rib

Tie in peacock hurl and wrap it forward

And wrap the copper rib forward in the other direction

Tie in a stout saddle hackle, whip finish, and complete the fly

RipLips.com

How to tie a Perfect Stonefly Nymph

2010-10-21T01:58:00.000-06:00

How to tie a Perfect Stonefly Nymph
by Capt. Matt Thomas

RipLips.com

~Click on any image to enlarge~

Materials List:

~Click on any image to enlarge~

Step By Step:

First, shape your hook like this...

Then, wrap it with lead wire

Tie on thread to the top of the bend

Now add tails

And chenille

Work forward and tie in three sets of legs

And finish this step by tying in the antenna

Now wrap the chenille forward to the eye

Trim and whip finish

(Preliminary side view)

Use a permanent marker to "perfect" the stonefly

(underside)

Finish with a top coat of super glue

Enjoy your Perfect Stonefly Nymph!!!
RipLips.com

How to tie a Mysis Shrimp

2010-10-20T13:16:00.000-06:00

How to tie a Mysis Shrimp
by Capt. Matt Thomas

RipLips.com

RipLips.com

CLICK HERE: Frying Pan River Blog

Materials List:
Click on any image to enlarge

Click on any image to enlarge

Step By Step:

First, start a hook

Then, tie in a tail

Now, tie in material for the shell back

Add dubbing

Pull the shell back material forward

Trim and whip finish

Complete the fly by picking and
trimming the legs

RipLips.com

NOW, GO CATCH BIG FISH THAT EAT MYSIS SHRIMP FLIES...

How to tie a San Juan Worm - With a Bead

2010-09-06T16:13:00.001-06:00

How to tie a San Juan Worm
With a Bead

by Capt. Matt Thomas

RipLips.com

RipLips.com

~Click on any image to enlarge~

Materials List:

~Click on any image to enlarge~

Step By Step:

Place a bead on a hook,
(I like copper)

Thread the chenille through the bead
(be sure not to block the eye of the hook)

Apply super glue to the front of the bead around the hook (soak it just enough to fill the bead, a little goes a long way)

And the back of the bead around the hook

Lightly singe the tail end of the worm with a lighter

~Click any image to enlarge~

Now go catch big trout!
RipLips.com

How to tie a Beadhead Carp Fly

2010-09-04T09:31:00.001-06:00

How to tie a Beadhead Carp Fly
by Capt Matt Thomas

RipLips.com

RipLips.com

~Click on any image to enlarge~

Materials List:

~Click on any image to enlarge~

Step By Step:

First, start your hook

Tie in the tail

Tie in a copper rib

Tie in two strands of peacock hurl

Wrap the hurl forward one way

The copper rib forward in the other

Tie in a stout hackle

Then trim the hackle flush on top

Finally, whip finish to complete

Beadhead Carp Fly

RipLips.com

How to tie a Pheasant Tail Nymph

2010-09-01T08:16:00.000-06:00

How to tie a Pheasant Tail Nymph
by Capt. Matt Thomas

RipLips.com

~Click on any image to enlarge~

Materials list:

Step by Step...

~Click on any image to enlarge~

Start the hook...

Tie in a tail. (I usually use 4-6 pheasant tail barbules)

Tie in a copper rib (the smaller, the better)

Wrap the pheasant forward in one direction...

Counter wrap the copper rib the other way forward

Tie the wing case back

Tie in more pheasant for the legs, tips forward
(Tie the legs the same length as the tail)

Spread the legs back evenly on either side of the hook and pull the wing case forward

Trim and whip finish to complete this deadly little Pheasant Tail Nymph

For More Information and Patterns Go To:

RipLips.com

How To Tie A Blue Crab Fly

2010-02-10T11:06:00.000-07:00

RipLips.com

Click On The Images Below

Curious? How to Fish a Merkin Style Crab Fly for Permit

Step 1:
Bend the eye of your hook

Step 2:
Tie on your dumbbell eyes and wrap your thread back.

Step 3:
Tie on your tail.

Step 4:
Tie on mono eyes

(Click Here for a short video on how to make mono eyes)

Step 5:
Tie on a tuft of marabou.

Step 6:
Tie on your first body segment.

Step 7:
Tie on your first set of legs.

Step 8:
Tie on your second body segment.

Step 9:
Tie on your second set of legs.

Step 10:
Tie on your third body segment.

Step 11:
Tie on your third and final set of legs.

Step 12:
Tie on your final body segment and whip finish.

Step 13:
Now trim and shape the crab body

(hint, use hackle pliers to hold the legs out of your way while you trim the body)

Step 14:
Use permanent markers to color your crab fly just the way you like!

Here's a shot from the underside of this crab fly...

Now, its time to go fishing and enjoy your well tied crab fly!

How to tie a Perfect Snapper Jig

2008-02-04T23:12:00.001-07:00

Capt. Matthew Thomas quickly ties a Perfect Snapper Jig...

www.RipLips.com

I can't think of many things more fun than using light tackle to catch snappers for dinner. At the end of my day of fly fishing, I like to hit up one or two of the little spots I've found for catching snappers. One keeper snapper each of us is all it takes for a tasty meal.

This particular jig is not hard to tie and it proves to be durable enough to catch a dinner or two. I recommend white. Chartreuse can be productive, but not like white.

You'll notice I tie the body rabbit strip off a few times as I progress forward. I believe this makes my jigs last a bit longer, even when snapper fangs take their toll. Super glue on the exposed wraps also helps to lock this pattern down.

Jam on some Snappers!

www.RipLips.com

How to tie a Clouser Minnow by Capt. Matthew Thomas RipLips.com

2007-12-23T21:39:00.000-07:00

I think of the Clouser Minnow as the gold standard of streamers. This fly is my favorite for many reasons:

Rides hook point up
Can be weighted for any need
Can be sized for any fish
Can be tied with infinate color scheme
Easy to tie well

I move this fly smooth with a combined, steady stripping and sweeping motion to make them give chase. Tarpon, Bonefish, Trout, Carp; the Clouser Minnow is a "sticky" pattern.

The trick I have learned about tying the Mighty Clouser Minnow...

Simplicity.

Keep it simple, tight, slender.

I have learned to organize my bucktail without using a hair stacker. I also set my hook the opposite of normal with the hook point up. (It helps to have a rotary vise)

This particular fly is intended to catch trout. I tie a rig with two Clouser Minnows blood knotted, 20" from each other, on 15-20 lb. flourocarbon. (any colors, as long as they are tan and white)

You'll notice I chose a 2x or 3x long shank hook. I find having a longer hook takes advantage of those pesky trout short strikes. I also recognize that a Clouser constantly moving has more tendency to keep a strike than a jerked fly, where half the time, there is slack line and no direct contact to hit the strike.

The Clouser Minnow is what all other steamers aspire to be.

www.RipLips.com

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How to tie a Little Olive Merkin Crab Fly by Capt. Matthew Thomas, RipLips.com

2007-12-08T01:27:00.000-07:00

The Merkin Style Crab Fly is undoubtedly the favorite fly of permit fishers, and has been since the beginning! Olive is a great color in the Florida Keys. Permit eat little crabs...

I have a few dates left in March, the best month for catching Permit. Check out my website and see why you should book your Florida Keys fishing adventure with Capt. Matt!

See my video How To Tie An Olive Merkin Style Crab and all of my other videos on YouTube. Click Here

I like to tie this fly on any #2 saltwater hook with a 2x long shank. On the video, you'll notice I like to turn down the eye of the hook... when topped with a generous pair of dumbbell eyes, I find this fly will have an even stronger tendency to ride hook point up. This video is about 5 minutes long.

I always figure that a minimum of well placed wraps with your thread is stronger than too many "filling wraps" that can get bulky and fail.

I take suggestions for topic flies and techniques. Be sure to subscribe, there will be more!

Good Luck! I trust you will catch many big permit with your new Little Olive Merkin Style Crab.

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How to Tie a Green Tarpon Toad

2007-12-06T22:00:00.002-07:00

The tarpon toad is undoubtedly the favorite of tarpon fishers these days. Green or chartreuse is the preferred color.

If you would like to fly fish for tarpon with a Green Tarpon Toad. Captain Matt has some dates available during the best months. Check out his website: www.RipLips.com and see why you need to go fishing with Captain Matt when you decide it is time to go tarpon fishing

I like to tie this fly on a Gamakatsu SL12S, 1/0 or 2/0. On the video, be sure to take notice of the way I prepare my materials before hand. This video is about 3 minutes long.

Snarfle guards and weed guards are are a must. I use the same snarfle guard method for every fly that I can. I like to use 20# flouro for the weed guard.

Consider the idea that a minimum of well placed wraps with your thread is stronger than too many "filling wraps"...

Good Luck! I trust you will catch many big tarpon with your new, well tied, Chartreuse Tarpon Toad.

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