Arc Wings
TED LEESON AND JIM SCHOLLMEYER

Single Post | Divided Fiber | Feather Tip | Arc | Reverse Half-Hackle | Reverse Hackle

In this wing style, the fibers are mounted perpendicular to the hook, then distributed in a 180-degree, fan-shaped arc over the top half of the shank. The most familiar incarnation of this design is in the Caucci/Nastasi Compara-dun, with its distinctive deer-hair wing, but a number of other materials can be used for this wing style.

We suspect we're not the only ones who have wondered about the representational characteristics of this wing. Though a variety of materials can be employed to imitate the wing color of the natural insect, in most other respects, it is rather un-winglike in appearance. The tips do not present a clean profile, but instead are rather indistinct; viewed head-on, an arc wing shows its broadest silhouette, while the wing of a natural dun presents its narrowest. Except when observed directly from the side, it doesn't look much like a mayfly wing at all. But the style is undeniably effective, even on finicky, flat-water trout, perhaps because the fly body rests directly against the surface film and vital components on the fly are unobstructed by hackle.

An arc wing offers a number of advantages. It is moderately easy to tie, generally quite durable, and the wing material can be altered to accommodate a wide range of water types. Since no hackle is used (unless the wing itself is fashioned from hackle fibers), the resulting fly is simple, fairly fast, and inexpensive to tie.

The vast majority of upwing patterns float by virtue of their hackle. The wings pretty much come along for the ride, primarily performing a representational function. The arc wing is unusual in that it's one of a few styles in which the wing material itself actually aids in floating the fly. All arc wings provide this floatation, at least in part, by giving a wide, pontoonlike platform of fibers that rest against the surface film. But some materials actually make a positive contribution to buoyancy. Deer and elk hair are hollow, and thus actually help float the fly in addition to supporting it on the surface. Thus these materials are well suited to patterns fished in faster, heavier water; moreover, the density of the wing can be increased by using more material to provide even greater buoyancy.

Poly-yarn--which is somewhat underused as an arc-wing material--is also buoyant, though less so than hollow hair, and is similarly useful in rougher water. Most other common materials, such as solid hair and hackle fibers, don't offer much buoyancy and are better suited to flatter, calmer waters. Like hair and yarn, these make practical and durable wings. CDC, which is increasingly used for arc wings, floats a fly both by supporting it on the film and by trapping tiny air bubbles that provide buoyancy. We've found the durability of CDC to be only moderate, but it's quite easy to tie and very useful on small patterns where hair and hackle can be difficult to dress and produce a sparse, ill-defined wing.

Most tiers use an arc wing in conjunction with a split- or fan-tail, which gives lateral stability to the rear of the fly. But this type of tail isn't strictly necessary, as amply demonstrated by Craig Mathews's Sparkle Dun, which uses a simple, straight Antron trailing shuck.

From the standpoint of technique, dressing an arc wing is just an extension of tying an upright post wing. However, some materials, particularly hollow hairs, can prove a bit troublesome, and the following steps illustrate ways to avoid the more common problems.


PHOTO #7: Deer hair is used here to dress a standard Compara-dun wing. Large quantities of hair can be difficult to keep atop the shank when mounting. The "reverse-noose loop" shown here can help keep the material in position. Note the direction the loop is formed; the thread passes underneath the material, over the top toward the tier, then back under the hair and around the shank. Pull the thread firmly to seat the wing fibers; the loop prevents them from rolling around the hook.

PHOTO #8: Secure the bundle of hair as shown in Photo 1. You can raise the wing to the vertical position by building a thread bump as shown in Photo 2, but many tiers find that excessive bulk is needed to hold the fibers upright, and even then the wing may, in time, gradually lean forward over the hook eye.

One way to solve this problem is to post the fibers upright in small batches. Separate about 1/4 of the wing fibers on the far side of the hook shank to produce a gap in the hair. Beginning with the thread behind the wing, bring it forward through the gap, and seat it tightly into the base of the wing fibers. Repeat with the next 1/4 bundle of fibers, then the next 1/4, and so on. These wraps partially elevate the wing fibers. Then build a thread bump to post the wing to the final vertical position.

When using large bundles of material or very springy hair, you can ensure a permanent upright wing by applying a small amount of gel-type super glue to the front base of the wing.

PHOTO #9: Here is the finished wing shown in profile and from the front. Note the that the hair radiates in a 180-degree arc.

PHOTO #10: Other materials, such as the poly-yarn shown here, can make fine arc wings. But most of them lack the flare of hollow hair, and with solid fibers you must preen the material downward on both sides to form the arc-shaped wing.


PHOTO #11: Two materials can be combined to make a wing more visible, by incorporating a reflective synthetic, or giving it a mottled appearance, as shown here in a style devised by Shane Stalcup.

Mount the material at the wing front first; mallard flank is used here. Then mount the second material, CDC in this case, directly atop the first. Then post the wing upright using a thread bump, preening the fibers to the sides as necessary to form an arc.

PHOTO #12: Though an arc wing formed of hackle barbs can be tied by stripping barbs and mounting them as a bundle, as shown in Photos 7-9, it is easier to form the wing from a standard collar hackle.

Using two feathers, densely wrap a collar hackle, confining it to about 1/4 to 1/3 of the shank, as shown on the left. Use crisscross wraps on the underside of the shank, as shown in the middle, to force the lower hackle barbs into a horizontal plane. The finished wing is shown on the right.

Ted Leeson and Jim Schollmeyer are authors of The Fly Tier's Benchside Reference to Techniques and Dressing Styles (Frank Amato Publications). Leeson lives in Corvallis, Oregon; Schollmeyer lives in Salem, Oregon.

Previous Next

On-Line Catalogs
A.A. Outfitters Full service, fully stocked flyshop located in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania. Allen Brothers Quality Fishing Flies Quality is more than just a word. We use Daichii hooks and all our beadheads are tied with tungsten. Check out unique variations on a lot of the classics, plus our original patterns! Angler's Pro Shop The finest products the fly fishing industry has to offer. Bighorn Fly and Tackle Shop Montana's premium fly shops, lodging and guide service. We're dedicated to helping you experience the best Montana has to offer. Bob Henley's TIE-A-FLY 19 traditional patterns. TIE-A-FLY kits have all materials needed to tie them, instructions/illustrations, a pre-tied fly to use as a model. Gary LaFontaine's "The Book Mailer" Every angling book & media in print—10% off 3 or more. LaFontaine fly patterns & materials. FREE anti-catalog. Crystal Fly Shop Online Store Quality products at reasonable prices from Winston, Elkhorn, St. Croix, Galvan, Solitude, Idylwilde, Chota, etc. Many items 15-35% off. Custom Fly Rod Crafters Fly rod building components, tools & supplies. Dan Bailey's Online Fly Shop Outfitting fly fishermen since 1938. Equipment & information to make your next fly fishing trip be a memorable one.		Fly Fishing Flies & Gear Shop RiverBum.com for premium FLIES and GEAR from Simms, Sage, Fishpond & more ... Free Shipping on orders over $25! FlyShack.com High quality, hand-tied flies. Assortments from $.60/fly. Great selection and excellent service. Free Shipping. FlyShopCloseouts.com Now—new and expanded—with much more brand name fly fishing tackle and gear at huge savings. Save 30-50% on quality brands you will recognize in an instant. Galloup's Slide Inn Online Fly Shop Full online store offering cutting-edge flies, equipment, and the best streamer selection found anywhere in the U.S. Hills Discount Flies Fly shop quality flies at wholesale prices. Over 1,000 patterns. Check out bargains in "Hot Deals" section. Hooked On Flies 65¢-69¢ a fly. That's 3 flies for less than the retail price of one fly. 450+ Trout Fly Patterns! Madison River Fishing Co. Spring is coming! We have TONS of new gear this year. Cloudveil, Simms, Sage, Under Armour, Vosseler Reels and lots more. Click or call 800-227-7127 for catalog. www.ShopUltimateAngler.com Your steelhead and smallmouth specialists featuring Simms, Sage, Patagonia, Orvis, guide services, local fishing reports and more!