Step 1. We want the hook point to ride up in the water, so with the hook in the ”normal” position in the vise, (hook point down) securely tie in the lead eyes, using the ”figure-eight” wrap. Check to be sure that the plane of the eyes is exactly perpendicular to the bend in the hook. Then take 4-5 wraps of the lead wire around the hook shank, butt it up firmly against the eyes, and lock it in place with the thread. Now is the time to apply a few drops of super glue, if you wish, to further secure the wire and the eyes. Do not use epoxy, or any other thick ”high-build” material, as this may trap air within the wraps, and contribute to unwanted buoyancy. You now have the ”blank,” from which the Rat or a number of variations may be tied, and I usually make several dozen or so in each size, and keep them in reserve.****
**
Step 2. **Now tie in the tail. I put it slightly more toward the bend of the hook, (angling down when in the vise) so that it points up a little bit, when the fly is in its proper position in the water. Next, wrap the chenille along the shank, and over the lead wraps. Tie it off at the lead eyes.
****
**
Step 3. **Invert the hook in the vise, and tie in the calf’s tail wing, also directly behind the eyes. You want it to angle up and cover the hook point. Hopefully, this will add to a more weedless fly.
****
****
**
Step 4. **To create the deer hair collar and head, select a length of hair that will extend back the same distance as the wing, and still leave enough coming out the other side of the wraps to trim and form the head. (The head is rather unimportant I think, and evolved simply as ”something to do” with the butt ends of the deer hair.) Characteristically, it takes three clumps of hair to form the collar. The first and largest, is tied on the top of the hook, and between the eyes.(Remember, the hook is still inverted in the vise). Then take two smaller clumps of hair, and tie them in underneath, but to the sides so that you minimize the amount of hair that will need to be trimmed away from what will be the underside of the fly.
**Step 5. **Trimming the finished fly is fast and easy. With the hook still inverted in the vise, and in the same position that it will ride in the water, snip closely, all the hairs that fall below the plane of the eyes. Then simply shape the protruding butt ends of hair to form a small head. A drop of laquer will complete the fly, although I use clear fingernail polish. You can get fancy if you wish and paint the eyes. I never did this, but I suggest a simple dot (pupil) of black enamel to be sufficient. Or if you want to get really fancy, a yellow eye with a black pupil would be the way to go.
