How to Tie Realistic Mayfly Wally Wings: Step-by-Step Guide
With: Country Roads Fly Co.
Create ultra-realistic mayfly wings using the classic Wally Wing technique, perfect for lifelike fly patterns that improve your fishing success. This Wally Wing technique offers realistic mayfly wings with a simple process, though note it can cause slight tippet twist on long, fast casts. Ideal for slow-action rods and short casts, it’s a must-try for fly tiers aiming for lifelike mayfly imitations.
Materials Needed for Wally Wings Fly Tying
Hook (appropriate size for mayfly pattern)
Tying thread (color matching fly pattern)
Single mallard flank feather (for wings)
UV resin nozzle or similar small tube (optional, for shaping wings)
Scissors
Tweezers
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Secure the Thread on the Hook Shank
Attach your tying thread to the hook shank about 2 to 3 hook eye widths behind the eye, positioning it at the wing tie-in point.
2. Prepare the Malard Flank Feather
Select a single mallard flank feather for the wings. Separate some fibers by stripping off an even amount of feather barbs from the tip and base, leaving the feather tip and base barbs intact to form your wings.
3. Shape the Feather Barbs into an Oval
Compress the feather barbs towards the base with your fingers or a tool, shaping them into a neat oval that will serve as your wing shape.
4. Use a Nozzle to Maintain Wing Shape
Feed the feather tip through a small nozzle (like those from UV resin bottles) to hold the feather’s shape securely while tying.
5. Size the Wings on the Hook
Position the feather on the hook shank using the nozzle, sizing the wings to be about one hook shank length in height.
6. Tie in the Wing Material
Place the shaped feather over the tie-in point and secure it with a single wrap of thread. Slowly pull the nozzle backward to expose more wing material and make adjacent wraps rearward, keeping the dull side of the feather facing up so the wing slopes upwards.
7. Trim and Secure the Wing Butts
Lift the nozzle and feather, trim off excess butts, and wrap down the remaining material to form a tapered base.
8. Build a Thread Ramp in Front of the Wings
Advance your thread just in front of the wings, lift the wing tips and press the wing material backward to orient it vertically. Build a thread ramp to hold this position.
9. Separate the Wing Material into Two Wings
Pinch the two bottom feather barbs on one side with your dominant hand and the rest of the feather tip with your other hand. Gently pull to peel the two barbs away from the stem down to the hook shank, forming one wing. Repeat on the other side.
10. Clean Up Excess Material
Using tweezers, clip off the excess separated barbs on each wing. Then clip the center feather stem at the base near the hook shank.
