Bodkin / Patterns

Bear's Saddleback Hex

Nymph · Trout · Intermediate · 1 version

Reference Recipe

  • Hook 3XL curved nymph hook, 6-10
  • Thread Fluorescent orange 6/0

Materials

  • Weight Lead-free (8-10 turns underbody)
  • Tail Tan/gold marabou (Short tuft)
  • Body Amber/tan buggy dubbing (Shaggy)
  • Back (Saddle) Mottled brown hen saddle fibers (1 dark saddle hackle or turkey strip)
  • Rib Copper thorax stripe (Fine wire)
  • Legs/Collar Brown partridge (1-2 turns)

How to tie it

  1. Mount the hook, wrap the shank with lead-free wire, and cover it with thread.
  2. At the bend tie in a short tan marabou tail and bind in the copper rib and a dark saddle hackle by the tip.
  3. Dub a fat, buggy amber body over the back two-thirds and pick it out shaggy.
  4. Fold the saddle hackle flat over the top of the body as a mottled dorsal shell, the 'saddleback'. And bind it at the thorax.
  5. Counter-wrap the copper rib in 6-7 open turns over the back to lock the shell and segment the body, then snip.
  6. Dub a short thorax, wind 1-2 turns of partridge as a leggy collar, build a small head, and whip finish.

Tying videos

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