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 tied onto the tips to create claws

 

eyes are melted mono fishing line

 

Tying the Adult Dragonfly

Fine stiff wire is wrapped and covered with thread

 

fly tying foam tied onto the wire, segmented and coloring applied

 

painting wings

 

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

 

coming to life

 

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,

one of the worlds finest bamboo fly rod makers

 

I had fun creating this...

Tying Realistic Flies
Tying Fishing Flies

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