Fly Tying - Crane Fly Terrestrial, foam body with Matt O'Neal

The adult crane fly is an excellent terrestrial pattern for the warmer months. Try this pattern where the big trout lurk and won't seem to take a typical dry fly. This is not a quick tie, but it's not too difficult.


Hook: #6-10, hopper or 1x long dry fly hook
Thread: Brown
Body: 2 mm foam, wrapped
Hackle: Grizzly or brown dry fly hackle, undersized
Wing: Hackle tips, dun color
Legs: Pheasant tail individual fibers, knotted
Thorax/head: fine brown dubbing


Savage Flies is a new project (named after one of my homewaters, the Savage River in Western Maryland, US). I hope to post 2-3 videos a week while continuing my own learning of the craft of fly tying. I've been trout fishing for many years but have only been tying for the last couple and am learning more every week. If you have any pointers on techniques that would help, I would love to hear them in the comments.

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