FlyFysher / Pattern library / Flashtail Egg Written tying guide
Pink E-Z egg yarn · short mirror-flash tail · bead 5 numbered steps and a complete materials list for this dressing.
Read the tying steps Egg / Pattern notes
Flashtail Egg A compact egg-yarn body with a short rear flash tail, tied here with a bead for weight.
The Flashtail Egg is distinguishable from a plain egg fly by a short reflective rear tail. The source index shows a pink Flashtail Egg but provides no materials, so this page uses Martyn White’s documented E-Z egg-yarn flashtail as a clearly identified starting dressing.
At the vise Beginner friendly
Common sizes #10–16 Materials Tying steps On the water Flies & tyers At your bench
The materials. Pink E-Z egg yarn · short mirror-flash tail · bead
Source-informed recipe; specialist review pending.
Hook Curved super-grub hook, size 10–12
Thread Pink 8/0
Bead Brass or tungsten, 2.5–3 mm
Tail Short bunch of krinkle mirror flash
Body Pink E-Z egg yarn, mini pearl Tools Vise Bobbin Sharp scissors Whip-finishing tool A note on this version The source index shows pink. The bead can be brass or tungsten, and egg-yarn colors can vary without creating separate pattern pages. The Umpqua Flashtail Mini Egg sold by fly shops is a related commercial dressing, not asserted to be identical to this recipe.
From hook to fly
At the vise. 5 steps Work through the numbered steps in order, using the materials list and written proportions as your guide.
01
Seat the bead Slide a 2.5–3 mm bead onto the curved hook and seat it behind the eye before clamping the hook securely.
02
Tie the flash tail Run pink thread to the bend and tie a sparse bunch of mirror flash so its tips project a short distance beyond the rear of the egg.
03
Anchor the yarn Move the thread forward and secure a compact piece of pink E-Z egg yarn to the shank just behind the bead.
04
Build the egg body Wrap or fold the yarn into a tight rounded body while leaving the flash tail clear behind it; bind it down before the bead.
05
Trim and finish Trim the egg yarn to a compact sphere, whip finish immediately behind the bead and check that the hook eye and gap remain open.
Beyond the bench
On the water. Fish it below the surface in an appropriate egg presentation, matching color and size to the water. Avoid disturbing spawning fish and their redds.
Have this pattern tied for your water. No versions are listed yet. Choose a tyer and ask about your sizes, colors and materials. The tyer must confirm availability and send an offer.
Recipe references Original written instructions adapted from the sources below. Materials and methods may vary between versions.
