Bodkin / Patterns

Agent Onyx

Salmon/Steelhead · Steelhead · Salmon · Advanced · 1 version

Reference Recipe

  • Hook 2XL-3XL curved nymph/stonefly hook (e.g. TMC 200R), 4-8
  • Thread Black 6/0 (140 denier)

Materials

  • Bead Hot orange tungsten bead (1/4 in (6.3mm))
  • Underbody weight Lead-free wire (.025, 12-15 wraps)
  • Tail Black rubber legs (short forked pair)
  • Body Black/dark brown medium chenille (full body)
  • Rib Copper wire (medium, 5-6 turns)
  • Legs Black barred rubber (1-2 pair)

How to tie it

  1. Slide the hot orange bead to the eye, mount the hook and start thread behind the bead.
  2. Wrap 12-15 turns of lead-free wire over the front half and shove them into the bead to seat it; the extra ballast gets this bug to the bottom of fast steelhead runs.
  3. At the bend, bind a short forked tail of black rubber legs no longer than a hook gap.
  4. Tie in the chenille and copper wire together at the bend.
  5. Wrap the chenille forward in touching turns to just behind the bead, then tie off and snip.
  6. Counter-wrap the copper rib forward in 5-6 open turns for durability and helicopter off the tag.
  7. Fold a strand of rubber leg across the shank behind the bead and figure-8 it into splayed legs per side.
  8. Build a small thread collar and whip finish behind the bead.

Tying videos

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