Diving frog step-by-step

I've been inspired by Larry Dahlberg and Dave Whitlock since the early 1990's.
Look here to read about my search for the origins of the Dahlberg diver.

Belly hair, deer strips in several colors. To get a nice natural mottling effect use colors that doesn't contrast too much

Set up a clean foundation of thread. I still use Danville Flymaster Plus.
You can get them anywhere, strong, very affordable & available in many colors

Use stiff, wide and webby hackles for the tail (legs). Often called 'bass hackle'

Add some rubber legs for some movement and joy 😀

Stack white belly hair

Foundation for the collar

Second stack for the collar

Third stack

Pull gently yet deliberately

Secure (whip finish or half hitch, a drop of super glue helps to make your stacks stronger) the steps after every
completed stack to make sure your fly doesn't explode if an accident (thread breakage) happens 😀
Make sure the upper and lower stacks are cleanly separated.

Another first of the upper stack

One of the last stacks of deer hair

All stacking deer hair done!

Don't crowd the eye!
Make sure you have enough room behind the eye to tie off

Yup, belly side looks okay 😀

First cut for the belly. Don't cut it right away to the hook shank.
Use the first cuts to check the balance of the sack being even on top.
Make sure you cut the belly to have enough hooking gap

Head of the diver. Again cut in stages for more control

I need a bath! Where's the tub? 😀

 

Add some rubber legs on the head for some tantalising action 😀

Big mess

Scissors given to me by my late friend Chris Helm