How to Tie a Dee Fly

The following is a step-by-step photgraphic sequence of the tying of the Black Magic Dee fly.


Materials for Original Pattern
  • Hook: Daiichi Alec Jackson Size 1.5
  • Thread: Black 6/0
  • Tag: Flat Silver
  • Tag 2: Red Floss
  • Tail: Red Dyed Golden Pheasant Crest
  • Body: 2/3 Red Dubbing, 1/3 Purple Dubbing
  • Rib: Flat Silver
  • Spey Hackle: Black or Purple Dyed Blue Eared Pheasant
  • Wing: Slips (left and right) Purple Dyed Goose
  • Collar: Gadwall, Teal, or Guinea
  • Cheek: Jungle Cock tied below hook (Optional)
    • Step #1

    Place hook in vice and lay down a thread base.
    Step #2

    Tie in Tag and Ribbing material
    Step #3

    Tie in the Red Floss.

    Burnishing between the 1st and 2nd Layer and again on top will create a very smooth floss body.
    Step #4

    Tie in the Tail Material

    Note the substitution of Amhearst Pheasant Crest for Dyed GP Crest
    Step #5

    Dub the thread with Red dubbing create your dubbing loop.
    Step #6

    Spin Dubbing hook until fibers stick out from rope at 90 degree angles.
    Step #7

    Wind forward the dubbing rope to the 2/3 point and tie off.
    Step #8

    Tie in Spey Hackle and Dub thread with Purple Dubbing as before
    Step #9

    Wrap the purple dubbing rope foward to behind hook eye, leaving room for collar and Wings.
    Step #10

    Wrap the ribbing material foward and tie off.
    Step #11

    Wind the spey hackle forward and tie off.
    Step #12

    Put a small amount of pruple dubbing on thread and wrap over the hackle and rib ends.
    Step #13

    Tie in collar material.
    Step #14

    Tie in Wings, far side first, then near side.
    Finished Fly

    Create a neat head, whip finish and apply a layer of black nail polish, then head cement,
    Top View
    The Black Magic Dee with some friends:

    Top: Black Magic

    Middle: Ackroyd

    Bottom: Gardener

    Final Thoughts: I am not positive about this, but I think this is a John Shewey pattern. Looking at his other original patterns (Santiam Spectrum, Spawning Purple, and many others) you will notice a common color scheme - Red and Purple. Red and Purple are used a lot by Santiam River Steelheaders. John Shewey is famous on the Santiam River system as an angler. He is the author of numerous fly tying and fly fishing books and is currently the editor of Northwest Flyfishing Magazine.

    Tight Lines Everyone.

    Dave