Bodkin / Patterns

Burkus Bearback Rider

Dry Fly · Trout · Intermediate · 2 versions

Classic Recipe

  • Hook 2XL dry/terrestrial hook (e.g. Fulling Mill 5045 or TMC 5212), 8-10
  • Thread Fluorescent red 6/0 (140 denier)

Materials

  • Body underwrap Fluorescent red thread, built up in bands (as needed)
  • Abdomen Golden olive Ice Dub (1 pinch)
  • Underwing/indicator Poly yarn or Widow's Web, orange or white (1 clump)
  • Overwing 2mm foam strip, tan or golden (1)
  • Legs Kinky bear hair or crinkled rubber legs, olive/pumpkin (3 pairs)
  • Head Golden olive Ice Dub (1 pinch)

How to tie it

  1. Start the fluorescent red thread mid-shank and lay a smooth base back to the bend; the exposed red wraps become the hot-spot trigger between body segments.
  2. Dub a slim golden olive Ice Dub abdomen forward to the 60% mark, leaving gaps so the red thread shows through as segmentation.
  3. Tie in a small clump of poly yarn standing up as an indicator/underwing at the 65% mark.
  4. Lay a strip of 2mm foam over the back as an overwing and tie it down at the 65% mark; leave a tab past the hook eye to trim into a squared head. Why: the foam overwing adds flotation and a bold silhouette a natural stonefly casts on the surface.
  5. Splay two or three pairs of kinky bear-hair or rubber legs to the sides, angled fore and aft.
  6. Dub a short golden olive Ice Dub head in front of the legs, whip finish behind the eye, and trim the foam head square.

Other versions

1 more in the app: Burkus'.

Tying videos

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