Realistic Fly Tying - Creating an Emerging Dragonfly

My goal was to create an adult dragonfly emerging from a semi-transparent nymph

 

The first step is creating a frame for the dragonfly nymph, using 35 lb mono fishing line

 

 

Tinted acrylic varnish was poured onto a mirror, allowed to dry, a strip was cut with a razor, and wrapped around to cover the frame

 

Legs are 20 lb mono covered with thread, while 8/0 thread was tyed onto the tips to create claws

 

Antennas are paint brush bristles and eyes are melted mono fishing line

 

 

Tying the Adult Dragonfly

 

Fine stiff wire is wrapped and covered with thread

 

White foam from a craft store is shaped, and a slit cut lengthwise with a razor

 

The wire is inserted into the foam, thread segmented forwards, and coloring applied

 

Realistic wings are printed, veins scribed by hand, colored, and cut

 

Scribing the veins helps breath life into the wings

 

Eyes are green tinted dried varnish, tyed and wrapped into fine organza mesh

 

Thorax is foam, legs are hand broom bristles

 

The nymph case was cut to allow for placing the adult abdomen inside

 

I wanted the fly to look like it was crying out while experiencing the pain of birth

 

Framed and ready to send to a friend, Chris Carlin in Alaska,

who is one of the worlds finest bamboo rod smiths

 

I enjoyed tying this emerging dragonfly, and I hope you like it too

Tying Realistic Flies
Tying Fishing Flies

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