Bodkin / Patterns

Atherton Number 2

Nymph · Trout · Advanced · 1 version

Tyer Recipe

  • Hook Standard or 1x-long nymph, #8-14
  • Thread Black 8/0

Materials

  • Lead wire 0.020" lead wire (9-10 turns (weight))
  • Pheasant tail fibers Natural pheasant tail fibers (3-4 (tail))
  • Oval tinsel Gold or silver, medium oval tinsel (1 length (rib))
  • Hare's ear dubbing with guard hairs Natural hare s ear dubbing (Body and thorax)
  • Floss (original: kingfisher feather) Blue silk floss (Doubled strand (wingcase))
  • English partridge Brown or gray english partridge (1 feather (hackle))

How to tie it

  1. Wrap 9-10 turns of 0.020 lead just forward of mid-shank; build a thread dam behind, then in front, so the wire can't shift.
  2. Take the thread to the start of the bend and tie in 3-4 pheasant tail fibers, slightly shorter than the shank.
  3. Catch in medium oval tinsel and bind it back to the tail.
  4. Wax the thread and dub buggy hare's ear (guard hairs and all) forward with a slight taper, stopping short of the front.
  5. Counter-wrap about four turns of tinsel rib, not too close together, and tie off.
  6. Tie in blue floss slightly to the side, then fold it back so it's two strand-widths wide for a broader wingcase.
  7. Dub a good-sized clump of hare's ear for the thorax; pull out a little if it gets too buggy.
  8. Pull the doubled floss over the thorax with a pinch wrap, position it on top, lock it down, and trim.
  9. Tie in an English partridge feather (fluff stripped), wrap 1 to 1.5 turns, preening fibers back; lock the stem with two wraps and trim the tip.
  10. Push a little of the partridge to each side so the wingcase shows from behind, build a modest head, whip finish 3-4 turns, and cement.

Tying videos

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