Bodkin / Patterns

Croston's Dark Knight

Nymph · Trout · Intermediate · 1 version

Classic Recipe

  • Hook barbless jig hook (Fulling Mill Jig Force), 14-18
  • Thread black 10/0

Materials

  • Bead Slotted 'Get Slotted' tungsten bead (2.5-3.0mm) (1)
  • Tail Black cock hackle fibres (6-8 fibres)
  • Body Black pheasant tail fibres (3-4 fibres)
  • Rib Red wire (1 strand)
  • Collar Chartreuse/olive holographic tinsel (few turns)
  • Hackle Natural CDC (1 short feather)

How to tie it

  1. Seat the slotted tungsten bead behind the eye of the jig hook so the fly rides point-up.
  2. Start black thread and tie in a short tail of black cock hackle fibres at the bend.
  3. Tie in the red wire rib and a small bunch of black pheasant tail fibres, then wrap the pheasant tail forward to form a slim dark body up to behind the bead.
  4. Counter-wrap the red wire rib forward in 4-5 open turns, the red rib adds contrast and armours the body, then tie off and break the wire.
  5. Take a few turns of chartreuse/olive holographic tinsel as a bright collar behind the bead for extra attraction.
  6. Tie in a natural CDC feather and wind one or two turns as a soft hackle, then whip finish behind the bead and varnish the thread.

Tying videos

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