Published Apr 4. 2017 - 6 years ago
Updated or edited Apr 4. 2017

Russian Wasp

Articles w/pattern

A very lifelike foam wasp

Originator: 
Dmitri Tseliaritski
Pattern type: 
Terrestrial
Skill level/difficulty: 
A little difficult
Instruction: 
  1. Start by making the abdomen. Glue together yellow and black craft foam to create a 1-1.5 centimeter or 1/2 inch stack. Cut this into striped rods of about 0.5 x 0.5 centimeters or about 0.2 x 0.2 inches. One rod will form the base for one wasp abdomen.
  2. Start the thread in the front of the hook.
  3. Tie in two black bristles pointing forward, forming the antennae. Just leave them sticking out parallel in the front. Trim off surplus.
  4. Cut a narrow (0.5 cm/ 0.2”) strip of yellow foam. Bend back and glue one end.
  5. Stick the hook through the foam in the center of the bent piece and slide to the front
  6. Glue the foam and press it over the bases of the antennae.
  7. Take the striped foam rod and trim to a tapered shape using a pair of sharp scissors.
  8. Tie in the abdomen leaving a bit of space behind the front foam.
  9. Mark the yellow part with a warm yellow marker if needed.
  10. Cover the abdomen with a thin layer of LCR and cure.
  11. Tin in the hind and front legs in one go, one set on each side.
  12. Cover the front lags with thread, pressing them forward to behind the head foam.
  13. Tie in middle legs as one bristle under the hook.
  14. Varnish the central part of thread over the legs. This will be visible on the finished fly.
  15. Bend back the head foam strip to form the top of the head and tie down.
  16. Cover foam with thread to the middle set of legs.
  17. Dub lightly over the tied down foam.
  18. Bend the foam back forward to right behind the head and tie down.
  19. Trim off surplus foam.
  20. Trim the head to a pointed, tapered shape using sharp scissors.
  21. Use the yellow marker to color the head foam if needed.
  22. Pick two identical, shiny rooster neck feathers.
  23. Strip off the base barbs and tie them in flat, pointing backwards right behind the head.
  24. Trim the feather butts, cover the tie in spot with some dubbing, whip finish and trim thread.
  25. Mark the eyes with a black marker and cover with LCR.
  26. Bend legs and antennae using heated tweezers. Trim to length. Mark the tips of the legs black.
Species: 
Materials: 
Hook
Kamasan B100 #12
Thread
UNI, black, 8/0
Antennae
black broom bristles
Head
yellow foam strip
Abdomen
sandwiched foam, covered with a thin layer of LCR
Legs
yellow broom bristles, tips colored black
Wings
chestnut rooster hackle tips
Thorax
yellow foam, a little black dubbing
Eyes
colored black, covered and built up with LCR
Markers
you will need warm yellow and black markers as well as varnish and LCR

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