Bodkin / Patterns

Booby Cactus

Dry Fly · Trout · Beginner · 1 version

Classic Recipe

  • Hook Short-shank wide-gape stillwater hook (e.g. Kamasan B110/B175), 8-10
  • Thread Match body (black or matching) 8/0

Materials

  • Eyes Closed-cell foam booby eyes/cord (1 pair, medium)
  • Tail Marabou (matching body colour) (one shank length)
  • Body Cactus chenille (bright: green, orange or white) (1 length)

How to tie it

  1. Start thread just behind the eye and tie in the foam booby eyes across the shank with firm figure-8 (criss-cross) wraps so they sit at right angles; round the ends first to stop the fly spinning.
  2. Wind the thread back to the bend and tie in a marabou tail one shank length long for maximum wiggle.
  3. Tie in the cactus chenille at the bend.
  4. Wrap the cactus chenille forward in touching turns to just behind the booby eyes, brushing the fibres back between turns, then figure-8 a turn around the eyes and tie off.
  5. Build a small head in front of the eyes, whip finish and add a drop of varnish.

Tying videos

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