Tying the Viva
Related Flies
1
The Viva lure is tied with a fluorescent green tail. The photos here show a Yellow Tail which has been used instead of the green for contrast.
STEP 1 : Catch the thread onto the hookshank.
STEP 2 : Take a bunch of Fluo green marabou or floss and catch in. Secure the waste ends with thread and try to keep the body profile as uniform as possible.
STEP 3 : Catch in a length of medium oval silver tinsel and secure along the hookshank. Try to keep the silver tinsel under the hookshank as much as possible.
STEP 4 : Catch in a length of black chenille and return the thread to the eye.
STEP 5 : Wind the chenille up the hookshank. After each wind I find it helps to push the fibres back with your left hand using the thumb and index finger before performing the next winding. At the thread position secure the chenille with thread and trim any waste.
STEP 6 : Wind the oval silver tinsel over the chenille towards the eye creating a neat and evenly spaced rib. Secure at the eye and trim any waste tinsel.
STEP 7 : Take a length of black marabou, catch in and secure.
STEP 8 : Take four strands of black krystal flash and tie 2 strands in at each side of the wing. (This is optional and wasn't found on the original pattern).
STEP 9 : Take a few black cock hackle fibres and catch in underneath the hookshank for the beard. Trim any waste hackle.
Final : Create a neat head, whip finish and varnish.
Tip: Before creating the head with thread, wet your fingers and rub any marabou ends that may be protruding through the thread. This will allow you to create a neater head.