Bodkin / Patterns

Black Beauty

Nymph · Midge · Trout · Grayling · Intermediate · 1 version

Mercury Flashback

  • Hook Tiemco TMC 101 straight-eye dry/emerger hook (TMC 2488 also works), #18-24
  • Thread Black 8/0 / 70 denier

Materials

  • Bead Extra-small silver-lined (mercury) glass bead (1)
  • Body Black tying thread, wrapped smooth and thin (as needed)
  • Rib Extra-small silver wire (fine) (1 length)
  • Flashback Pearl Flashabou (or pearl Mylar tinsel) (2-3 strands)
  • Thorax Black Super Fine dubbing (tiny pinch)

How to tie it

  1. Slide the mercury glass bead to the eye and start the black thread behind it.
  2. Wrap a smooth, thin black thread body from behind the bead back to above the barb, then forward to about 70%.
  3. Tie in a length of fine silver wire at the 70% point for the rib and let it hang.
  4. Tie in 2-3 strands of pearl Flashabou pointing back over the body for the flashback.
  5. Dub a small, sparse black Super Fine thorax right behind the bead.
  6. Pull the pearl Flashabou forward over the top of the thorax and tie off behind the bead, forming a bright flashback.
  7. Counter-wrap the silver wire forward in 4-5 open turns for a segmented rib, tie off behind the bead, helicopter to break, whip finish.

Tying videos

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