Fly Patterns - Pullover Hackle Flies

This month we’ll learn a tying technique called “pullover hackle” rather than tying a specific pattern. I’m not sure who originated the pullover-hackle technique for dry flies. I first learned it from the venerable Ned Long, who passed away a few years ago after a long and productive life. A long time fly tyer well-known in the tying community, Ned created many original (and very effective) fly patterns. The Northern California Council of the Federation of Fly Fishers named its coveted annual award to the “fly tyer of the year” after Ned (I was fortunate enough to have been selected for this prestigious award in 2009). Bob Quigley, another very creative fly designer, also uses this technique in some of his spring creek patterns.

There are several standard techniques for applying hackle to dry flies: the standard Catskill technique, whereby the hackle is wound on perpendicular to the hook shank; and the parachute technique, whereby a post is created for the wing, and the hackle is would around the post. The pullover-hackle technique is a third way to hackle a dry fly.

The pullover-hackle technique requires that a piece of material (typically 4x tippet material) be tied to the shank at some point in the tying steps, to be used as a post. I utilize this technique for “Bill’s Big Fish Fly” which can be found in the fly pattern archives on GBF’s web site. For dry flies, the post is typically (though not always) tied in at the front end of the abdomen. The hackle is wound around the post from the bottom up and then back down to the shank, where it is tied off, pulled back out of the way,  and remains until the final tying step. Once the thorax is dubbed (immediately in front of the hackle post) the post and hackle are pulled over the top of the thorax and tied off just behind the hook eye. Hence the name: “pullover-hackle.” As an alternative to inserting the post at the front of the abdomen, you can tie it in just ahead of the tail and then pull it over the entire fly—abdomen and thorax.

The beauty of this technique is that you can get a lot more hackle on the post and, when it is pulled over the top of the thorax, all of it stays on top of the fly. This creates a very buggy fly profile and a high-floating attitude. Pullover-hackle flies are one of my go-to pattern types for late afternoon and evening fishing on creeks and smaller rivers such as the North Yuba (small caddis patterns work well also—see July 2009 fly of the month, the Shambles Caddis).

Fly color/hue is limited only by your imagination. For example, you can try using two hackles (one brown and one grizzly) for an Adams pullover; or a cream colored hackle for a Light Cahill pullover. For purposes of this month’s fly, we’ll create a generic dry fly with a tan body and a grizzly hackle. You generally won’t find this combination in the fly bins at the shops—but don’t underestimate it. Also, we’ll tie in our pullover post at the rear of the fly, to be different (besides, it makes learning the technique a bit easier). You will need a gallows tool or some other method to secure the tippet material in an upright position so you can wind the hackle around it. If you don’t have a gallows tool for your vise, try attaching a pair of hackle pliers to your light.