Bodkin / Patterns

Buzzer Tungsten Nugget

Midge · Trout · Intermediate · 1 version

Classic Recipe

  • Hook curved buzzer/grub hook (e.g. Fulling Mill grub or TMC 2487), 10-16
  • Thread Black, olive, or red 8/0 (70 denier)

Materials

  • Bead Tungsten nugget/offset bead, black nickel or copper (1)
  • Body Tying thread, black/olive/red (as needed)
  • Rib Fine pearl tinsel or silver wire (1 strand)
  • Breathers/cheeks White Antron or Glo-Brite floss (small tuft)
  • Thorax Peacock herl or contrasting dubbing (1-2 strands)
  • Coating UV resin over body (as needed)

How to tie it

  1. Slide the tungsten nugget bead to the eye. Why: the heavy offset nugget gets the buzzer down fast and hangs it nose-down like a real chironomid pupa.
  2. Lay a smooth, slim thread body from behind the bead down to the bend and back, keeping it thread-thin.
  3. Rib the body with a fine tinsel or wire in open, even turns for segmentation.
  4. Coat the body with a thin layer of UV resin for a shiny, durable, gas-bubble sheen.
  5. Add a couple of turns of peacock herl (or contrasting dubbing) as a thorax behind the bead, and tie in tiny white breather tufts at the head.
  6. Whip finish behind the bead.

Tying videos

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