Bodkin / Patterns

Crane Fly Larva Gb Barr's

Nymph · Trout · Intermediate · 1 version

Reference Recipe

  • Hook 2XL curved nymph (TMC 200R / 2302), 8-12
  • Thread Tan 6/0

Materials

  • Bead Gold bead (One, sized to hook)
  • Weight Lead (6-8 wraps .015-.020 wire)
  • Tails (spiracles) White uni stretch (Two short tufts para-post/poll yarn)
  • Rib Clear head cement (3X mono or clear mono)
  • Body Tan-olive material (Sow-Scud / rabbit dubbing, tapered)
  • Collar Tan-olive material (Dubbing)

How to tie it

  1. Slide the gold bead to the eye, mount the hook, and lay 6-8 wraps of lead behind the bead, shoving them up into the bead socket.
  2. Start thread and at the bend tie in two short, splayed white poly tufts. These are the larva's rear spiracles, so keep them stubby, no more than a hook-gap long.
  3. Tie in the mono rib at the bend.
  4. Dub a fat, tapered body forward to just behind the bead. Fullest in the middle like a real crane fly larva.
  5. Counter-wrap the mono rib forward in 5-6 evenly spaced turns to segment the body and add durability.
  6. Dub a small collar behind the bead.
  7. Whip finish behind the bead.

Tying videos

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