Fly Tying Inventory
Comet - Orange
Dating back to the 1940s, the Comet is a bright, bold steelhead wet fly with a distinctive bead chain eye design that provides a jigging action. The silver Mylar body and orange bucktail tail and hackle create high visibility even in murky water. Simple to tie and highly customizable in color, it's a staple for steelhead anglers from California to British Columbia.
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Materials
TMC 7999 or similar steelhead hook, sizes 2-8
Orange 140 denier or flat waxed
Silver bead chain eyes, large
Lead wire, .030-.035 inch, 10-12 wraps
Orange bucktail, 1.5x hook shank length
Silver flat Mylar tinsel
Silver oval tinsel, small
Orange strung saddle hackle, 2-4 wraps
How to Tie the Comet - Orange
- 1
Step 1
Secure the hook in the vise. Optionally wrap 10-12 turns of lead wire for weight, breaking and tucking ends.
- 2
Step 2
Start thread behind the eye and lay a foundation back to the bend. Secure lead wire ends if used.
- 3
Step 3
Attach bead chain eyes directly behind the hook eye with tight figure-eight wraps. Secure with additional wraps around the base.
Use super glue on the figure-eight wraps for extra security—the bead chain eyes take a lot of stress during fishing.
- 4
Step 4
Select a small clump of orange bucktail about 1.5 times the hook shank length. Tie it on top at the bend and trim excess.
- 5
Step 5
Tie in silver Mylar tinsel and oval tinsel (if using rib) at the base of the tail. Wrap the Mylar forward in overlapping turns to just behind the eyes. Tie off.
- 6
Step 6
If using ribbing, counter-wrap the oval tinsel forward for segmentation. Tie off and trim.
- 7
Step 7
Select a webby orange saddle hackle. Tie in directly behind the bead chain eyes. Make 2-4 wraps, sweeping fibers rearward. Tie off and trim.
- 8
Step 8
Build a neat head between the hackle and hook eye, whip finish, and apply head cement.
Watch Tying Tutorial
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQtiK3gm9S4
Credit: Traditional (1940s, California)