Bodkin / Patterns

Big Fish Only

Nymph · Trout · Intermediate · 1 version

Tyer Recipe

  • Hook 2-3XL nymph / jig hook, #8-12
  • Thread Black 6/0 (140 denier)

Materials

  • Bead Black/copper bead (1)
  • Lead wire (generous wraps (heavy))
  • Rubber legs Black ostrich herl (2 (tail), plus antennae optional)
  • Crystal Flash / ostrich chenille Black-emerald (body)
  • Wire Black wire (rib)
  • Zonker strip (for dubbing loop collar) Black dubbing (1 short piece)

How to tie it

  1. Slide a black bead onto the hook. Behind it, wrap on a generous length of lead wire to make the fly heavy, and shove it against the bead.
  2. Start black thread and run to the bend. Tie in two black rubber legs as a split tail.
  3. Tie in a length of black wire at the base of the tail for the rib.
  4. Tie in the body material (black crystal flash / black-emerald ostrich chenille) and wrap it forward to just behind the bead to build a slim, flashy body.
  5. Counter-wrap the black wire forward over the body in evenly spaced turns to segment it and lock the fibers in; tie off and helicopter the wire.
  6. Make a dubbing loop, insert cut black zonker-strip fur, spin it into a shaggy brush and wrap it as a buggy collar behind the bead, coaxing the fibers rearward.
  7. Tie off the collar, build a small thread head, whip finish and cement.

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