Swivel Snake-Fly (Part I) by Steffan Jones

Start by threading the hook onto the braid, followed by the needle

Looping back, puncture the braid with the needle, passing it up the braid for about 3-4cm (depending on what length you want the fly to be) before passing the needle to the outside of the core

Pull the needle through, then take the needle off the braid. You can then pull the loose end until it sits snugly onto the hook

Repeat the process with the swivel

Pulling both loose ends tight to the hook and swivel, the loose ends can then be cut snugly to the body, taking care not to cut the body braid

The next step is to put on the 2 pieces of shrink-tubing. If the tubes pass over the swivel easily, all the better. However, if they don’t then it is easier to loop some nylon through the eye of the swivel and pass the two tubes over the nylon. You can then exert some force onto the tubes, which will help them pass over the swivel

With the two tubes on the mount, the next step is to drop a small amount of super-glue onto the mount. One small drop by the hook, and one small drop by the swivel

The tubes are then passed over the glue and positioned. When in position, pass the lighter over the tubes, quickly! – If not, you will burn/melt the mount

After shrinking both tubes, pull the mount straight and hold. Upon cooling, which takes just a few second, you will be left with a nice, straight mount. At times, especially with the longer mounts, you will find that the snakes hinge too much. To cure this put a third piece of shrink tubing around the middle of the amount, again with a drop of glue. That’s the mount finished! I find it easier to make a few at the same time, before continuing to the tying stage

These flies can be slightly fiddly, as they are predominantly tied by/in hand (literally). As such, the next step is to set out all the materials you are going to need for the fly. Here I have used black raccoon fur for the wing, red rabbit under, red pearly mylar body, jungle cock cheeks, red mirage overwing, 6/0 fire orange thread