Bodkin / Patterns

Black Beauty

Nymph · Midge · Trout · Grayling · Intermediate · 3 versions

Reference Recipe

  • Hook Curved scud/emerger hook (TMC 2487/2488), 18-24
  • Thread Black 70 denier / 8-0

Materials

  • Body Black ostrich herl (Tying thread built into a slim taper)
  • Rib Silver metal tape (Extra-small silver wire)
  • Thorax Black ostrich herl (Black Superfine dubbing, a pinch)

How to tie it

  1. Mount the hook and start black thread behind the eye, wrapping back around the bend of the curve.
  2. Catch in a length of fine silver wire at the back and leave it hanging.
  3. Wrap the thread forward and back to build a slim, slightly tapered black body, stopping at the 70% mark.
  4. Counter-wrap the silver wire forward in 5-6 open turns for a segmented look, then helicopter it off.
  5. Dub a sparse black thorax up to the eye. Use half the dubbing you think, this fly should stay skinny.
  6. Whip finish and add a tiny drop of cement.

Other versions

2 more in the app: Mercury Flashback, Tungsten.

Tying videos

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