How to tie: a Royal Humpy

From: Umpqua Feather Merchants

Today, the boys at Umpqua Feather Merchants are tying the Royal Humpy, a variation that combines the classic Humpy with a Royal Coachman. This fly can be tied with different colors to suit a variety of fishing situations, and it’s a great choice for both dry and terrestrial fishing. Let’s dive in!

Materials:

• Hook: Dry fly hook (6/0)

• Thread: Pre-waxed thread

• Tail: Moose body hair

• Wing: Calf hair or calf tail

• Hackle: Saddle hackle (brown or other colors)

• Dubbing: Poly dubbing (light green)

• Deer or elk hair for the body

Steps:

1. Start the Thread:

   • Begin by placing the hook in the vise. Wrap the thread from the bend of the hook towards the eye, stopping halfway.

2. Add the Tail:

   • Select moose body hair for the tail. Trim it and tie it in, leaving the proportions right.

3. Tie in the Wing:

   • Use calf hair for the wing. Stack it and measure it so it extends halfway from the hook’s body to the eye. Tie it in tightly, making sure it stands at a 45-degree angle.

4. Create the Body:

   • Trim deer hair, remove loose fibers, and tie it in at the base. Wrap the body with poly dubbing (light green), keeping proportions balanced.

5. Add the Hackle:

   • Tie in saddle hackle, making sure the shiny side faces you. Wrap it two to three times behind and in front of the wing.

6. Finish the Fly:

   • Separate the wing and tie a whip finish, securing all materials. Trim any excess fibers and check for balanced proportions.

And that's how you tie the Royal Humpy! It’s a durable, versatile fly that performs well in various fishing conditions.