As with many skills we learn, those first instructions by a respected teacher tend to be the pattern we follow when repeating the learned process. My first Atlantic Salmon fly tying class was at the '85 Conclave in State College, Pennsylvania. Trying to absorb all of the information and recall those same procedures and techniques several days later can be trying, even with notes scribbled on a pad of paper. In addition, we had a fairly large class which does not necessarily lend itself to a good learning situation. The following February I spent a snowy weekend in cold Holly, Michigan taking instruction, along with six others, from Ron Alcott on the art of tying Atlantic Salmon flies. Based on the time, effort and research Ron has given to the art of tying these elaborate, colorful patterns, a good student will tend to listen intently.

A facet of tying various components of the Atlantic Salmon that did not receive much attention in State College was the shape of the fly body. While I have an eye for shape, this aspect of tying the fly had never been a focus of my In viewing photographs of Atlantic Salmon flies, body shape was never noticed. Alcott emphasized with considerable vigor the need to slightly taper the body which makes for an esthetically pleasing fly. He supported his feelings by his extensive research which included reading and traveling to Scotland to speak with renown tyers. He mentioned several authors including Hale and Tavener who espoused the tapered body. As a result of Alcott's strong belief, I adopted this technique in my own flies.

Several experienced tyers who have critiqued my flies ask me if I usually tapered my bodies. This question called my attention to the fact that obviously many tyers do not taper their Atlantic Salmon fly bodies.

During the past couple of years as I did more Atlantic Salmon fly tying and reading about the subject, I have become more keenly aware that many aspects of tying are subject to debate. However, in this instance there is considerable written support that the body should be tapered. Hale states that "In all cases the body should taper slightly from the butt to the shoulder." As is evident from this statement, Hale made no exceptions to this procedure. Hale also refers to the tapered body in the same chapter in describing wrapping the body with floss.

In Tavener's book, he is comparing Hale and Kelson and briefly mentions body taper. Beyond this he does not elaborate.

Pryce-Tannatt does not devote a special portion of the book to body taper but does mention taper in tying in the gut eye and in the general instructions for the Black Ranger. He states that "A floss silk body should be quite smooth, free from all bumps or irregularities, and should taper very gradually from butt to head."

A tapered tinsel body is not any more difficult to wrap than a tapered floss body or a dubbed body. To aid the process and help secure the tinsel in place, coat the tapered underbody with liquid wax. The wax will help the tinsel adhere to the body. The underbody should be wrapped with white floss beginning one quarter the distance from the butt to the head. Alcott recommends using white 6/0 thread and marking the body at the 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, with a felt tip pen after building the underbody. Tie in the floss at 6:00 at the 1/4 mark, with the waste extending under the body up to within 1/4 in. of the head. Leave the thread at the tie in point (1/4 mark). Wind the floss forward making sure to keep it flat and overlap slightly. After winding forward, wind back to the 1/2 mark. Bring thread forward to tie off floss. Every effort should be made to keep the thread and floss as smooth as possible to help insure a smooth body. Spin the bobbin counterclockwise to unwind the thread.

Visual inspection is usually adequate to determine when the thread is flat. This process is repeated often, not just once or twice when preparing a complete fly. Now the remainder of the body may be completed.

All of this may be a matter of personal preference. Some flies look better with a straight body, others with a tapered body. If you have never prepared a tapered body, give it a try. Then you can decide if this approach is for you.