No this is not a fly promoted by a news network, rather the CNN stand for “Cheap aNd Nasty”. I first tied this fly for use around structure where if you don’t loose a few flies then your not in the game. The fly I had previously used in those situations was an estuary fly that cost between $2 and $3 to make. Doesn’t sound like much but after 5 or 6 snags in a session you have to wonder. The CNN costs less than $1 to tie, is easy to tie and it works really well either fished alone or as a dropper fly behind a popper or beetle.

Materials

Process

A	Starting at the eye of the hook wind the thread in tight touching turns to the bend of the hook and back 2/3 of the way along the hook shank. Tie in a set of bead chain eyes using figure of eight wraps and horizontal wraps above the shank of he hook and below the eyes. [member Link=”p=573″ Title=”Tying in bead chain eyes”] Tie in a length of fine silver wire along the shank of the hook to the bend of the hook.

B	Dub on a body of BMS dubbing or SLF (Synthetic Living Fiber) all the way to the eyes. I find it best to use a dubbing loop. [member Link=”p=1639″ Title=”Dubbing loop method of dubbing”]

C	Wind the silver wire forward forming 3 or 4 uniform segments in the body. [member Link=”p=2656″ Title=”Body segments on flies”] Tie the silver wire off in front of the eyes and trim the excess. Tie in a sparse bib that just covers the eye of the hook. Build up a neat head , whip finish and varnish. Once the fly is dry use your bodkin to pick threads of the dubbing on top and below the body of the fly.