How to Tie the Tungsten Rainbow Dart – A Fly Tying Guide Inspired by Lance Egan’s Classics

Fly Tying

Jun 14

The Tungsten Rainbow Dart is a highly effective mash-up fly combining elements from Lance Egan’s legendary patterns—the Tungsten Surveyor, Rainbow Warrior, and Red Dart—designed to target pressured trout with a bright, deadly profile.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Hook and Bead

Start with a Lightning Strike JF2 jig hook, size 14.
Pair it with a silver 7/64” slotted tungsten bead.
Insert the hook point into the small hole of the bead and slide it around to the hook shank.
Secure the assembly firmly in your tying vise, ensuring the bead is seated properly behind the hook eye.

Step 2: Add Wire Weight

Use 0.015” lead-free wire to add weight and stabilize the bead.
Hold the bitter end and take 6–7 touching wraps around the shank.
Break off the wire with a “helicopter” motion.
Leave a small gap between the bead and the wire.

Step 3: Lock Bead with Super Glue

Apply a drop of super glue between the bead and wire.
Slide the wire forward so it locks the bead in place as the glue sets.

Step 4: Start the Thread Base

Use UTC 70 denier thread in red.
Start the thread behind the wire wraps and take a few securing wraps.
Wrap forward to the bead, then back to anchor the wire securely.

Step 5: Add Ribbing

Take a 5” length of small silver Ultra Wire.
Secure it on top of the hook shank and let thread torque roll it to the far side.
Bind it down to the start of the hook bend.

Step 6: Tail

Select a dozen straight, stiff red saddle hackle fibers.
Align the tips, strip them free, and measure to one hook shank in length.
Secure at the hook bend using a counter-clockwise thread spin to catch the fibers cleanly.

Step 7: Build the Body

Use rainbow-colored sow/scud dubbing (olive-gray tint preferred).
Form a thin, tight 2” dubbing noodle by twisting the fibers onto the thread.
Start wraps at the tail base, using a clockwise bobbin spin to cord up the dubbing.
Build a slim, tapered body forward to the bead.