Tying Bullet Head Flies

Bullet Head flies can represent numerous insects that have large heads, in particular salmonflies, grasshoppers, crickets and beetles. Selecting the correct type of hair is necessary for its effectiveness. Deer hair can be used, but it’s not as durable as elk hair, which is stiffer and not easily split by the teeth of fish. The flared hair behind the head can represent the legs or wings of different insects, and rubber legs can be added to enhance a lively action. Also, foam bodies make realistic segmented bodies, and if you’re having trouble forming the head of the fly, bullet head tools are available.

BULLET HEAD HOPPER

Materials:

Hook: 9672 Mustad sizes 10-8

Thread: 3/0 Monocord

Body: Yellow yarn

Wing: Mottled Turkey

Head: Elk hair

Step 1. Tie in yellow yarn and wrap it up to 1/4 inch of the eye.

Step 2. Tie in the turkey wing so that it lays flat over the back and extends 1/4 inch beyond the hook bend.

Step 3. Cut a clump of elk hair and stack it to even the tips and cut the butt ends even. With the tips facing forward, wrap the thread over the hair to the hook eye and tightly secure it. Then wrap the thread back to the end of the body.  

Step 4. Using your thumb and first two fingers firmly pull the hair backwards 1/8 to 3/16 inch and tie it off so that it covers all the way around the hook. Then, make 5 or 6 wraps in the same exact place and whip finish to secure the thread.

Step 5. Cement the thread in back of the head.