TYING THE REAL DADDY

I do not know who invented The Real Daddy or if this is the proper name for the fly. I have seen it tied several times, and often it is referred to as Foam Daddy Long Legs, Detached Daddy Long Legs, or Foam Daddy. The name is of less importance. It catches fish, especially when the wind is blowing terrestrials into the water.

• Materials
• Video Instructions
• Slideshow
• How to Fish the Real Daddy

Materials for Real Daddy

Part:	Materials:	Size/Color:
Hook:	Demmon	900BL #10
Thread:	UTC	Dark Brown 70
Body:	Foam Cylinders	Tan 1/8”
Legs:	Pheasant Tail	Double Knotted Daddy Legs Orange
Wings:	Dry Fly Hackle	Grizzly
Hackle:	Dry Fly Hackle	Brown

Video Instructions on How to Tie a Real Daddy

Video coming soon.

Slideshow on How To Tie a Real Daddy

Step 1 – Prepare and Tie In the Body

Before tying the Foam Daddy Long Legs, you have to prepare the foam cylinder. Use a lighter and heat the tip of the foam. Take some saliva on your finger and roll it around to get a tapered tip.

Tie in your tying thread close to the eye and make even wraps until your fly tying thread is aligned with the hook’s point. Tie in the foam cylinder using a pinching loop and pull the thread upwards. The length should be about 1 to 2x the hook’s length.

Step 2 – Tie In the Legs and Wings

If you do not have pre-knotted Pheasant Tail fibers, you will have to tie up three pairs of legs. You can also use other materials like bucktail. Tie in 3 legs on each side of the hook. The length of the legs should be a bit longer than the body. Take two Grizzly hackle feathers and tie in one on each side of the hook. The wings should be a bit shorter than the legs.

Step 3 – Make the Hackle

Tie in one brown dry fly hackle feather and the shiny side towards you by the end. The fiber length should be approximately 1.5x the distance from the hook shank to the hook’s point. Make a few wraps with the hackle and tie it off at the head of the dry fly. Fold the foam cylinder over the hackle and tie it off. Make a whip finish or a few half-hitches to secure the thread and secure with a drop of varnish. Trim off the excess of the foam cylinder in the front.

How to Fish the Real Daddy Fly

When the wind blows away from the shore, it can be challenging to fish dry flies. But, this is an excellent setting to use terrestrials like the Foam Daddy Long Legs. These insects are poor flyers and often land in the water. This allows the fish to grab a snack. Foam Daddy is often used as the dry fly in a dry/nymph dropper rig.