Bodkin / Patterns

Copper John Hot Wire-Beadhead

Nymph · Trout · Advanced · 1 version

Reference Recipe

  • Hook 2XL, 2X-heavy nymph hook, 12-18
  • Thread Black 70 denier

Materials

  • Bead Gold or copper slotted tungsten bead (1, sized to hook)
  • Weight Lead-free wire (a few turns of .015)
  • Tail Brown permanent marker (2 goose biots)
  • Abdomen Hot chartreuse or red material (brassie Ultra Wire)
  • Wing case Black floss (thin skin strip)
  • Flashback Pearl flashabou (strand of Flashabou)
  • Thorax Natural case (peacock herl)
  • Legs Brown speckled rubber legs (hen back fibers)

How to tie it

  1. Slide the bead to the eye, mount the hook, and wrap a few turns of lead into the back of the bead.
  2. Start thread and tie in two brown biots in a shallow V for the tail, one shank length long.
  3. Bind in the hot-colored wire and wrap touching turns to the 60% mark for a bright, glowing abdomen; tie off and snip.
  4. Tie in the black thin skin, then a strand of pearl Flashabou over it, both pointing back.
  5. Wrap 3-4 peacock herls into a plump thorax.
  6. Fold hen back fibers down each side as legs to the hook point.
  7. Pull the thin skin forward for the wing case, then the Flashabou, and bind behind the bead; whip finish.

Tying videos

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