How to Tie an Easy Anchovy Fly: Step-by-Step Fly Tying Guide

Saltwater fly anglers know the value of a great small minnow fly. In this guide, we'll walk through how to tie an effective Easy Anchovy fly using calf tail, a versatile yet underutilized material. This fly is ideal for false albacore (albies), striped bass, and other saltwater species targeting small baitfish.

Materials Needed:

• Hook: Gamakatsu SL12S 1X Short, Size 1

• Thread: Ultra Thread 140 Denier, Shell Pink

• Tail/Wing: Calf Tail (Enrico Special color, yellow)

• Body: Senyo's Laser Dub (white)

• Flash: Fluorescent Orange Crystal Flash

• Flash#2: Can add Lateral Scale on each side if you want, 1/16" (pink) (Optional) 

• Eyes: Stick-on 3D Dome Eyes, Super Pearl (smallest size)

• UV Resin (thick or medium)

Tools Required:

• Fly tying vise

• Bobbin

• Scissors

• Dubbing loop spinner

• Dubbing brush or Velcro

• UV torch

• Hair stacker (optional)

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Step 1: Hook Setup

Secure your hook in the vise. Start your thread near the hook eye and wrap it down the shank, stopping just past the hook point. Cut off the tag end.

Step 2: Tying in the Tail

Cut a small pinch of calf tail. Secure it onto the hook shank as a tail, ensuring it’s tied down firmly.

Step 3: Making the Dubbing Loop

Create a dubbing loop by doubling the thread over itself. Secure the loop with a few thread wraps, leaving the loop hanging off to the side.

Step 4: Adding the Body

Take a pinch of Senyo's Laser Dub and place it evenly in the dubbing loop. Spin the loop with your dubbing spinner, creating a tight dubbing brush. Wrap this brush forward along the hook shank to form a fluffy body, securing it at the front.

Step 5: Adding the Wing

Cut another clump of calf tail, and secure on top of the body.

Step 6: Adding Flash

Cut a pinch of crystal flash strands about the length of the fly. Tie them over the back of the fly.

Step 7: Finalizing the Fly

Secure all materials with a few half-hitches and cut off excess thread. Use UV resin to coat the back of the fly while pulling the material back to create the thin profile. Cure the resin with a UV torch.

Step 8: Adding Eyes

Place stick-on 3D eyes on each side of the fly. Cover them lightly with UV resin and cure again with the UV torch for durability.

Tips for Tying Albie Flies:

• Calf tail provides excellent movement and profile in smaller flies.

• UV resin helps create a durable and realistic fly body.

• Dubbing loops allow for a variety of textures and are essential for creating lifelike bodies on saltwater flies.

This Albie Anchovy fly is versatile and effective, capable of mimicking various small baitfish, making it an essential pattern in any saltwater fly angler's box. Enjoy tying, and tight lines!

Keywords:

Albie fly, anchovy fly, saltwater fly tying, calf tail fly pattern, false albacore flies, fly fishing tutorial.