Mastering the Floating Daddy Long Legs Fly: A Guide to Fly Tying & Fly Fishing Success

Welcome to the fascinating world of Daddy Long Leg/Cranefly fly tying and fly fishing! In this blog post, we'll explore the allure of this pursuit and provide you with a comprehensive guide on tying the fly, essential materials and tools, as well as proven tactics for achieving success on the water. Get ready to dive into this captivating fly pattern and enhance your fly fishing adventures!

Tying the Perfect Floating Daddy Long Legs - Tying the Daddy Long Leg/Cranefly fly is a rewarding and creative process. Here's a step-by-step guide with clear bullet steps to help you tie this effective pattern:

Fly Tying Materials Hook: Size 10-12 dry fly hook Thread: Black 6/0 or 8/0 Body: Veniard foam cylinders (medium black or tan) Legs: Veniard Daddy Long Legs material Wing: Deer hair (black or brown) Head Cement or UV resin (optional)

Fly Tying Tools Vice Bobbin Scissors Hackle pliers or small needle-nose pliers Dubbing needle

• Secure a size 10-14 nymph hook in your vice.
• Attach olive or brown 6/0 or 8/0 thread near the eye of the hook.
• Slide a 1/8" to 5/32" black or metallic bead onto the hook, and secure it with thread wraps.
• Attach olive marabou fibers to the hook shank for the tail, extending them to one and a half times the length of the hook.
• Tie in fine copper wire along the hook shank, leaving it hanging for later use as the rib.
• Apply olive or brown dubbing to the thread and wrap it forward to create a slender, tapered body, leaving space behind the bead.
• Tie in pheasant tail fibers just behind the bead, extending over the top of the hook shank to form the wing case.
• Fold the pheasant tail fibers back over the body and secure them with tight thread wraps to create a neat, defined wing case.
• Take the copper wire and wrap it forward over the body to form evenly spaced segments. Secure the wire with thread wraps and trim any excess.
• Apply a small amount of dubbing to the thread and wrap it around the head of the fly to create a small, tapered head.
• Grab a few strands of olive or brown ostrich herl using hackle pliers or small needle-nose pliers. Tie them in just behind the bead, secure with thread wraps, and trim any excess.

Proven Tactics for Fly Fishing Success: Now that you have your floating Daddy Long Legs fly, it's time to put it to use on the water. Here are some proven tactics for achieving fly fishing success with this pattern

• Floatant: Apply a floatant to the foam body and deer hair wing of the fly to ensure it stays buoyant on the surface.
• Presentation: Cast the fly near areas where trout are likely to feed, such as banks (especially on exposed banks where the wind are blowing Daddies on from fields on to the water), overhanging vegetation, or slow-moving water.
• Drift: Allow your fly to drift naturally with the current, imitating the movement of a Daddy Long Legs insect. Pay attention to any subtle rises or strikes.
• Twitches: Give the fly occasional twitch or slight movements to mimic the struggling or swimming action of the Daddy Long Legs.
• Observation: Watch for any natural Daddy Long Legs insects on the water. Observe their behavior and try to replicate it with your fly's presentation and movement.
• Stealth: Approach the water cautiously, as trout can be easily spooked. Stay low, avoid unnecessary movements, and make gentle casts to increase your chances of success.
• Timing: Daddy Long Legs insects are often most active during the warmer months and in the late afternoon (All year, but especially late Summer / early Autumn). Consider these factors when planning your fishing trips.

Remember, practice and experimentation on the water will help you refine your technique and increase your success rate with the floating Daddy Long Legs fly pattern. Good Luck

Don't fancy tying?  There are plenty of examples on the troutcatcher site including singles, selections & fly box collections! - check out the choice.