Fly Tying Inventory
Tap's Bug
A simple deer hair popper named for H.G. "Tap" Tapply, the outdoor writer who designed it. It needs only a bucktail tail and a body of deer body hair, spun on the hook and trimmed to a taper with a large flat face, which makes it a popper. Sizes run from 4 up to 2/0. Tied here in yellow on a size 4 Gamakatsu B10S Stinger hook with white GSP thread.
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Materials
GSP thread, 130 denier, white
White · 130 denier
Bucktail, yellow
Yellow
Deer body hair, yellow, spun and trimmed
Yellow
Flexible cement, such as Exo-Flex, for the trimmed face
How to Tie the Tap's Bug
- 1
Step 1
Mount the hook in the vise, start the GSP thread and wrap a short base at the rear of the shank.
- 2
Step 2
Cut a bunch of yellow bucktail, comb out the short fibers and even the tips. Tie it in at the bend for the tail and trim the butts.
- 3
Step 3
Cut a bunch of yellow deer body hair and comb out the underfur and short fibers.
- 4
Step 4
Spin the bunch on the bare shank just ahead of the tail so it flares all the way around the hook.
- 5
Step 5
Push the spun hair back tightly with a hair packer, then spin and pack the next bunch ahead of it.
- 6
Step 6
Keep spinning and packing bunches until the shank is filled to just behind the eye. Whip finish and trim the thread.
- 7
Step 7
Remove the fly from the vise and trim the hair with a razor blade and scissors, keeping the tail fibers clear of the blade.
- 8
Step 8
Shape the body so it tapers from the tail to a wide front, then cut the front off square to make a flat popping face.
- 9
Step 9
Coat the trimmed face with flexible cement if you want it tougher, and let it dry.
Watch Tying Tutorial
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZE59A8CBIM
Credit: Tim Flagler / Tightline Productions