How to Tie the Amberwing Dictator Fly — A Versatile Summer Caddis Hair’s Ear Pattern

Fly Tying

Jun 2

The Amberwing Dictator is a creative variation of the classic Amberwing Prince Nymph, designed for summer caddis fishing. This versatile pattern combines the signature peacock curls and biots of a prince nymph with a hair’s ear body, making it ideal for enticing fish feeding on tan and olive caddisflies in local waters.

Materials List for Amberwing Dictator Fly

Hook: Size 3/76 TMCO (adjust size as needed)
Bead: Size 7/64 (choose based on hook size)
Thread: Uni Thread Camel
Dubbing: Seal brown hairline hair dubbing, standard hair’s ear dubbing
Tail: Princy brown goose biots (3 total)
Ribbing: Copper wire and bonefish tan crystal flash
Legs: Mallard flank feathers
Wings: Amber goose biots

Step-by-Step Guide to Tie the Amberwing Dictator Fly

1. Prepare the Hook and Bead
Start with a size 3/76 1TMCO hook fitted with a size 7/64 bead. Adjust hook and bead sizes according to your target fish and water conditions.

2. Begin Thread Wraps
Attach Uni Thread Camel and wrap the thread down the hook shank towards the bend to create a base for materials.

3. Apply Hairline Hair Dubbing
Add a small amount of seal brown hair dubbing on the thread. Work it evenly down the shank to form a tapered underbody.

4. Tie in Tail Biots
Select two princy brown goose biots. Tie the first biot on the side with the natural curve flaring outward, then tack it down. Tie the second biot a little higher on the opposite side, trim excess, and position for symmetry.

5. Attach Copper Wire Rib
Tie in a length of copper wire along the shank. This will serve as the ribbing to secure and segment the body.

6. Add Crystal Flash Ribbing
Tie in a piece of bonefish tan crystal flash alongside the copper wire for subtle flash and attraction.

7. Add Overcase Biot
Tie a third dark princy brown goose biot across the top of the hook shank as an overcase, shaping it to cover the body.

8. Build the Hair’s Ear Body
Dub standard hair’s ear dubbing and wrap it forward over the thread base to build a tapered, buggy-looking body underneath the overcase biot.

9. Rib the Body
Wrap the copper wire and crystal flash forward in segmented turns to secure the dubbing and add flash, then tie off and trim the ends.

10. Pin Down the Overcase Biot
Wrap the copper wire around the overcase biot to secure it firmly in place.

11. Trim Overcase Biot Tails
Carefully trim the overcase biot ends without cutting the tail biots.

12. Tie in Legs
Select mallard flank feathers for legs, tying in two sets on each side, aiming for leg lengths about equal to the body length. Trim legs to a clean profile.

13. Attach Wing Biots
Tie in two amber goose biots as wings. Split them on either side of the hook for a natural look and trim to even lengths.

14. Finish the Head
Use the same seal brown dubbing to build a small head behind the bead. Wrap the thread securely, tuck in loose fibers, and whip finish.

Fly Tying