How to Tie the SA Merkin

Why the SA Merkin
Tying the SA Merkin
You’ll need a UV Fly Finish (like Loon) or Softex for the strong arm claw, a Sharpie of your choice for the claw tip, nail polish to coat the lead eyes, and 20# monofilament for a weedguard if you want one.
In addition to your typical tying tools you’ll also want to have a sturdy comb and a dubbing spinner handy. I also like to use a dedicated synthetic scissor (I use Dr Slick’s synthetic scissors or EP’s 4.5″ scissors) for trimming the yarn body.

Step One
Step Two
Step Two
Step Three
Step Four
If you’re tying more than one fly this is a great place to pause and tie in the eyes on all of your flies before you move on to paint.

Step Four
Step Five
Step Six

Step Six
Step Seven
If you’re using Softex like I am here you’ll want a brush or your bodkin to apply the Softex to the claw. If you’re using UV finish you’ll skip to step nine. The original Strong Arm Merkin uses UV finish for the claw but I’ve found the flexible Softex finish easier to work with and more durable so if you plan on tying a lot of strong arms it’s worth investing in a jar (I get about 180 claws out of each jar).
Step Eight
Step Eight
Step Nine
Step Ten
If you’re using UV resin for the claw rather than Softex you’ll want to go ahead apply it now. Use a fine tip on your resin bottle to apply the resin to all surfaces of the claw and inject it between the two strands of the arm. Hold the arm in place while you cure with your UV light.
Step Ten
If you’re using UV resin for the claw rather than Softex you’ll want to go ahead apply it now. Use a fine tip on your resin bottle to apply the resin to all surfaces of the claw and inject it between the two strands of the arm. Hold the arm in place while you cure with your UV light.
Step Eleven
Step Twelve
Step Twelve
Step Thirteen
If you don’t have a dubbing spinner you can actually use the bend of your whip finisher or even a comb to spin the dubbing loop.
Step Fourteen
Step Fourteen
Step Fifteen
Step Sixteen
Step Sixteen
Step Seventeen
Step Eighteen
Step Eighteen
Step Nineteen
Step Twenty
Step Twenty
Step Twenty-One
Step Twenty-Two
Step Twenty-Two
Step Twenty-Three
Step Twenty-Four
Step Twenty-Four
Step Twenty-Five
Step Twenty-Six
Step Twenty-Six
Step Twenty-Seven
Step Twenty-Eight
Step Twenty-Eight
Step Twenty-Nine
Step Thirty
Step Thirty
Step Thirty-One
Step Thirty-Two
Step Thirty-Two
