How To Tie: The Royal Wulff

This fly can be found in almost any fly shop around the world, but is far from “generic”. In this week’s “How To Tie” video, Tim Flager from Tightline Video is back to show us how to tie the Royal Wulff.

Learn About This Fly

The Royal Wulff is an iconic dry fly pattern that can be dated back to the early 1900’s, and has made a name for its debut. Being derived from the Royal Coachman pattern, this fly was modified in order to withstand the rough water of western rivers. While no one can be truly certain for who is originally responsible for this modification, credit often lies with an angler named Lee Wulff.

In the ’30s, Mr. Wulff and a western conservationist by the name of Dan Bailey collaborated on the names of their new hair wing patterns, and eventually produced the line of flies that would be known as the “Wulff” fly. (Grey Wulff, White Wulff, Black Wulff, Royal Wulff, etc.) Since their creation, the Wulff pattern has been a staple to dry fly fishing and is constantly hailed by some anglers, including iconic fly fishing author John Gierach, as one of the most important flies in the sport.

This fly is what is called an attractor pattern, and does not imitate any specific insect. Instead, it is used to draw fish to the surface by offering bright colors, and enticing mayfly like appeal.

Ingredients:

• Dry Fly Hook (size 10-18)
• Black tying thread (70 Denier)
• Red tying thread (70 Denier)
• White Calf body hair (cleaned and stacked)
• Zap-A-Gap adhesive
• Natural Moose Body hair
• Peacock herl
• Coachman Brown Hackle

Now you know how to tie the Royal Wulff!

Video courtesy of Tim Flager from Tightline Video 

Article written by Flylords Team Member Wills Donaldson 

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