Turk's Tarantula might be one of the best attractor trout flies ever invented. It was developed in 1990 by Guy Turk and was used to win the prestigious Jackson Hole One-Fly Contest. It has a bulky, wide profile making it easy for fish to see. Its bulk moves lots of water, so fish hear it even before they see it. It floats high, making it easy to see in fast water and under low-light conditions.
Sizing Considerations
Turk's Tarantula can be tied in sizes from 2 through 14. The pattern started out as a western pattern but has found its way across the country. In smaller sizes, it makes a good caddis imitation. In larger sizes and by substituting 2-X or 3-X long hooks, it is a good salmon fly imitation.
Materials and Tying Sequence
As flies go, Turk's Tarantula has easily obtainable materials. Start with Tiemco's TMC 5262 hook in sizes 2 through 14 and tan 3/0 Monocord. Before you begin tying, note that the spun deer-hair head will take up almost 40 percent of the hook shank so plan accordingly or the proportions will not be correct. Start by making a tail of Amherst pheasant tippet fibers. Spin a body of hare's mask dubbing and rib it with copper wire. Tie in two pair of medium, round-barred rubber legs. Several manufacturers make rubber legs. The legs are splayed to make an X-shape when seen from under the fly. Make a wing of pearl Krystal Flash and top with white calf tail. The wing almost reaches the end of the tail. Spin deer hair and trim to make a large head. Leave enough full-length deer hair on the top and sides to make a collar. Trim the deer hair forward of the collar into a bullet shape and trim the underside of the head as close to the hook as possible, making the bottom of the fly's head flat.
Important Technique
The success of Turk's Tarantula, in terms of buoyancy and moving lots of water, depends on packing the deer hair very tightly. Tie in small bunches rather than larger ones and use a hair packing tool to force the wraps closely together each time you wrap on another small bunch of hair.
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