Elk Hair Mayfly

Attach thread to shank. Tie in the wire with 5 tight wraps. Select hackle for proper size and desired stiffness. Cut stem at juncture with webby and stiff fibers. Strip 2 or 3 of fibers away from hackle stem. Tie in hackle with 3 to 5 right thread wraps. Concave side of hackle is away from body.

Dub thread and evenly wind body. Secure with 5 tight wraps. After body completion evenly wind hackle forward from tail base to front end of body. Tie off with 3 to 5 tight thread wraps. Cut off excess stem with scissor tips or pull back on hackle to break it off at thread wraps.

Evenly wind rib through hackles and secure with 5 tight wraps. Cut off excess wire.

Tie in the elk hair as a downwing. Secure with 5 tight wraps and cut away excess.

Whip finish head with 4 to 8 turns. Pull tag end firmly and cut off excess thread. Place a drop of head cement on knot and allow it to penetrate both the thread base and hackle stems. Trim hair to form a head.