Bodkin / Patterns

3 Dollar Dip-Beadhead

Nymph · Midge · Trout · Advanced · 1 version

Consensus of tightlinevideo, Backyard Angling, time2fishman

Materials

  • Hook Scud/pupa hook (curved shank); sizes 16 to 18 across sources
  • Bead Gold bead
  • Thread Thread, also forms the body (brown, rusty brown or wine)
  • Rib Fine gold wire
  • Wing bud Bleached elk or deer hair, small clump

How to tie it

  1. Slide the bead onto the hook point, small hole first, and secure the hook in the vise.
  2. Start the thread on the shank behind the bead, take a few wraps rearward and snip the tag.
  3. Tie in the fine gold wire with thread wraps, carrying them well down into the hook bend.
  4. Reverse and wrap the thread forward in touching wraps to the bead to make a smooth body.
  5. Wrap back down to about two-thirds of the shank, return to the bead, then repeat about one-third of the way back to build a taper thickest at the bead.
  6. Wrap the gold wire forward in open spirals over the thread body.
  7. Secure the wire behind the bead with a few tight thread turns and break it off.
  8. Take a small clump (about 20 hairs) of bleached elk hair, strip out the fuzz and short fibres, and lay it on top of the shank behind the bead.
  9. Take two loose wraps around the clump and pull down to seat it on top of the shank; stop it spinning by taking a wrap between a few of the rear fibres at a time.
  10. Whip finish right behind the bead and cut the thread.
  11. Trim the butt ends off close, then trim the tips so they extend partway down the hook shank.

Tying videos

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