Fly Tying: Beginner Predator Flies - Classic Hair Wing

This video is a simple step by step for a Classic Style - Bucktail Hair Wing Streamer - which is a perfect recipe style for downsizing bucktail technique to match smaller forage species as well as juveniles.
Materials:
Bucktail: White and Olive
Flash: Polar Flash - Opal
Peacock Herl - 10 strands
Hook: Ahrex Hooks sz. 4 Classic Streamer Hook
Thread: Veevus 140 Power Thread
Vise: HMH TRV

[@MayheM_72]

The thing I like best about this series is than instead of just saying "do what I do", you explain WHY you do what you do, and the little nuances that make a difference in the finished product. I may not have the same gamefish or baitfish in my area (southern NJ) but I can take the general idea, adjust colors and sizes, and make flies that should target the fish in my area. We don't have wild trout (only stocked rainbows in ponds), pike/musky (chain pickerel), or smallmouth (only small largemouth), but the fish in my area are HUGE fun on a 3/4wt or 4/5wt setup!

[@Strutsi]

Caught my first trout with this! Thanks a bunch! It was perfect to cast on a #5-class rod and swum really well.

[@henningradasewski6172]

Awesome tying show man. Quickly becoming my favorite. I think you have a couple of very good points with that silhouette theory and I find your scientific approach very interesting.

[@darkwaters5217]

I actually laughed when I saw the hook flex when you first started your thread wraps. I think that’s the softest hook I’ve ever seen you tie on. 🤙

[@borsey]

Another fantastic video Gunnar. Love these hairwings. Soo productive!👍

[@hankvana2149]

Well tied Gunnar - these classics always fish best when dressed sparsely. I carry hair-wing streamers in 1 1/2; 2; 3 and 4 inch sizes dressed in colors that match the local forage. Over the years I found that matching the profile and size is more important to the predators than the exact color. I will often tie the streamer with an under-body of coarse bucktail (from the base of the tail) that extends past the bend of the hook as a tail and wrap my tinsel (down and back) over that. Tied like this, the long shank streamers will suspend better between strips and there is less tendency for the back of the fly to "sag" down unnaturally.

[@justinfote]

Excellent video Gunnar. I would like to have a dozen or so in my box for the next river trip! That hollow fly looks great. Thank you!!

[@superfuzz81]

Nice tie. Looks like a sunray shadow tied on a hook instead of a tube. Classic Scandinavian fly for atlantic salmon. The book "Simple Flies: 52 Easy-to-Tie Patterns that Catch Fish" by Morgan Lyle features a similar version of the sunray shadow tied on a streamer hook. I'm really enjoying your series of beginner predator flies so far. Keep 'em coming.

[@RyanWaxman]

Such a great hunting pattern. Fish come out of the woods to inspect these bait fish. Can’t wait for the beast. Thanks Gunner!

[@philroselle1514]

This channel rocks, one of ultimate favorites!

[@Rayvenh]

Hello Gunnar, I just wanted to say I think this is your best video to date. I also miss the Black Metal like music intro from your Amazon Videos. Vocals aside, great musicianship is great no matter the format. Thanks for the great video tying lessons.

[@etiennevallee9591]

well done! simple but will be killer !

[@stewoutdoors3020]

Man I love your videos.

[@TERRYBIGGENDEN]

Really excellent. A greta little streamer! :-)

[@randychappell5955]

I wish I knew how to start at the beginning of this series? I'll keep looking

[@michaelrollo6518]

say Gunner what other books do you have besides fish

[@lathandeyoung8886]

Nice tie. I've noticed you using different vices in your videos. Looking to get something better for streamers than what I got. What's your advice on the best all around streamer vice? Im tying trout streamers.Or maybe a video on what you use and why. : ) Thanks for all the great videos.

[@JOBAHT]

Hi Gunnar, how does this peacock hearl stand against trout's teeth?

[@TheCanary24]

👍

[@rogertorgerson2042]

Can you tie this pattern with the hook up to make it more weed less? My streams are sometimes pretty shallow.

[@robertcornelius3514]

Maybe use two hooks at 180 degrees from each other so they both lay flat on the water.

[@mikekuczynski1552]

Great pattern works in many colors, curious why you don't use the rotary function of your HMH TRV to wind the polar flash ?

[@darkwaters5217]

Mike Kuczynski I think maybe because it will twist as your wrapping it, instead of laying down straight?

[@mikekuczynski1552]

Don't think so , I use the rotary function on my vice do not have a twisting problem . It took me a while to embrace that function after wrapping by hand . Just curious , I have been looking at the HMH TRV but have not spoke with anyone who has actually used one .

[@armjamal1]

too much talking and explanation huh...boring!