Bodkin / Patterns

Brent's Black Magic Chironomid

Midge · Trout · Intermediate · 1 version

Tyer Recipe

  • Hook TMC 2488, 3x wide gape, 2x short, #12 (fishes like a 14)
  • Thread Black and red 8/0 flat

Materials

  • Tungsten bead Matte black tungsten bead (3/32 inch)
  • Buzzer wrap (over body) Fluorescent smoke buzzer wrap (1 strip)
  • Anti-static bag strip (rib) Translucent gray anti static bag strip (0.5mm strip)
  • Swiss straw / Raffia (wing buds) Rust/copper swiss straw raffia (1 narrow split piece)
  • Peacock herl (thorax) Natural peacock herl (2 strands, 2-3 turns)

How to tie it

  1. Slide the matte black bead onto the hook and mount it; start with RED thread a little back from the bead.
  2. Tie in the smoke buzzer wrap on top, then the 0.5mm anti-static bag strip for the rib, binding both around the corner of the bend so the red thread forms a bleeding red butt at the rear.
  3. Tie off the red thread and attach the BLACK thread; use it to build a smooth, slightly tapered underbody up toward the bead.
  4. Wrap the fluorescent smoke buzzer wrap forward over the body, the translucent material tones the black down to a grayish chromie look; tie off behind the bead.
  5. Spiral the anti-static bag strip forward in wide, open turns as a subtle rib; tie off.
  6. Split a piece of rust Swiss straw to about half width, fold it, and roll it in underneath the shank behind the bead; trim both ends to wing-bud length and nudge them so a bud shows along each side.
  7. Tie in two strands of peacock herl by the tips and take two or three turns behind the bead as the thorax, covering the thread work.
  8. Whip finish behind the bead; optionally coat the body with UV resin for durability.

Tying videos

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