Pattern, notes & photo by Steve Cobb
Used by permission
From the November/December 2017 newsletter
Hook: Stainless steel hook, size 1/0.
Thread #1/nose: Red, 6/0.
Thread #2: White, 6/0.
Thread #2: White deer hair.
Beard/hair: White marabou (long).
Head/face: Sheep’s wool.
Hat brim: White marabou.
Hat: Red turkey flats.
Eyes: 5X tippet and Small black glass beads.
Hair: White marabou.
Adhesive: Head cement.
Tools: Sewing needle
A couple of years ago, during the holidays, I scratched out a sketch of a fly that I thought might be a fun tie for the Christmas season. The first few Santas to come off the vise were so hideous that I thought the big guy might cross me off the “nice list” permanently. But the marabou kept flying, and after a while, I had a fly that I thought captured the spirit of old St. Nick.
He’s undergone a few changes over the course of the years, with a couple different materials and a couple minor changes to make the tie a little easier. So here’s the recipe for my “Santa Fly.” There are lots of steps, but none of them is particularly difficult, so don’t be intimidated. Forget traditional fly tying: this recipe starts at the eye and works its way rearward. Have a jolly good time tying it…and don’t worry about that naughty list.
Illustrated instructions for tying the fly can be found at http://www.orvis.com/news/fly-fishing/tie-perfect-santa-claus-fly/
If you are less ambitious, you can also purchase a giftable version of the fly at https://squareup.com/store/steven-c-cobb/item/santa-fly
More holiday flys, outdoor, nature, and angling art is available at Steve’s website: http://www.quietraquette.com