Bodkin / Patterns

Cat's Whiskers Bead Eye

Dry Fly · Trout · Intermediate · 1 version

Classic Recipe

  • Hook Long-shank streamer/lure hook, 6-10
  • Thread Black 6/0 (140 denier)

Materials

  • Eyes Silver bead chain (or metal bead) (1 pair / 1 bead)
  • Tail White marabou (1 clump)
  • Body Fluorescent green chenille (1 length)
  • Rib Silver wire or oval tinsel (1 length)
  • Wing White marabou (1 generous clump)

How to tie it

  1. Fix silver bead-chain eyes on top of the shank just behind the eye with tight figure-eight wraps (or slide a metal bead to the eye first).
  2. Take thread to the bend and tie in a white marabou tail about one shank length long.
  3. Tie in the silver wire rib and a length of fluorescent green chenille.
  4. Wrap the chenille forward to behind the eyes and tie off.
  5. Counter-wrap the wire rib forward in 4-5 turns and secure for segmentation and strength.
  6. Tie in a generous white marabou wing over the top, reaching to the tail tips.
  7. Figure-eight thread around the bead-chain eyes, form a neat head, whip finish and cement.

Tying videos

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