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Zak Nymph

Tied by Jay Smit

This Famous South African fly designed by Tom Sutcliff and named after the African caretaker at a still water lake in the Natal Midlands is my all time favorite nymph. This fly produces time after time in both still waters and rivers.
 

Recipe

Hook: # 8 to 16 Long Shank Can be weighted with a few turns of heavy wire.
Thread Black 8/0
Tail Black Hen Hackle
Rib  
Body Stripped peacock herl  Peacock herl Flash and  Hen Hackle stripped one side
Head Brass Bead or Varnished thread head
   

Dress the hook with extra turns to hold the bead in place.  A few turns of heavy wire behind the bead if weighting is required. Wrap with thread to give the body a tapered shape.

Tie in a few strands of hen hackle above the barb for the tail.

Tie in a piece of flash, two stripped peacock herls and one un stripped above the barb twist and wrap tightly to just over half he length of the hook shank. Secure with a few turns of thread.

 Tie in another peacock herl or two and the hen hackle by its tip. Twist and wrap everything to just behind the bead or head and tie off. If no bead is used form a neat head with the thread.

Cement the head with your favorite head cement.