The half hog
So called because it is less than half a sedgehog
This is a fly designed by Norman Irvine which will hover just below the surface on a slow retrieve. It’s meant to represent a failed emerging buzzer (I think). It is good for days when the fish are showing their dorsal fin at the surface but refusing to take dry flies. You can also grease the wing and it will work as an emerger.
Materials
Hook : Kamasan B170 sizes 12-16
Thread and Body : black 6/0 thread or any other colour you fancy
Rib : flat pearl tinsel
Wing : deer hair
Abdomen : any dubbing you choose, I have used claret Ice Dub
Cheeks : gold holographic flat tinsel (or any other colour you fancy)
You could also dub the body if you prefer or make it with stretch floss.
Tie on the thread and catch in the pearl tinsel rib.
Run the thread in tight touching turns all the way round the bend and back up again to the top of the thorax
Clart the thread with head cement and then wind on the rib.
Tie of the rib and clart the body with another coat of head cement. Half hitch and cut away the thread and set aside to dry while you run up another few.
When the body is dry, tie in a short piece of flat holographic tinsel on either side.
Cut a slim bunch of deer hair (this is roe deer bur coastal deer would be fine)
Pop them in the stacker to even the tips and then tie in the wing no longer than the body.
Start tying down with loose turns at the top getting tighter and you wind down. This will reduce the tendency for the hair to flare. Don’t worry too much if it does as the dubbing will bring it back under control.
Trim of the butts of the deer hair, give a dob of head cement on the roots and tie down.
Wind a slim bunch of dubbing over the butts of the deer hair stopping just behind the eye of the hook.
Bring forward the cheeks and tie off. Clip any stray deer hairs that are out of place.
Whip finish and that is it.
