Bodkin / Patterns

Boatman Theo's

Nymph · Trout · Intermediate · 1 version

Reference Recipe

  • Hook Standard nymph/wet hook, 14-10
  • Thread Black 8/0

Materials

  • Underbody Silver metal tape (Flat tinsel or bead (air-bubble sheen))
  • Body Olive/tan heads (Olive or tan dubbing or floss)
  • Shellback Dark brown turkey tail mottled (Turkey or pheasant tail slip)
  • Oars/legs Brown silly legs nymph size (2 knotted pheasant tail fibers or rubber legs)
  • Rib Fine gold (Wire (optional))

How to tie it

  1. Mount the hook and start black thread, then wind to the barb.
  2. Lay a silver tinsel underbody along the shank to mimic the trapped air bubble a boatman carries down.
  3. Dub or wrap a stout olive-tan body forward to the 80% mark.
  4. Tie in a dark turkey shellback at the rear, pull it forward over the body, and bind it down behind the eye.
  5. Add one long oar-like leg on each side, angled back, from knotted pheasant tail fibers or rubber legs.
  6. Whip finish, then coat the shellback with UV resin for a glossy, air-sheened back.

Tying videos

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