Bodkin / Patterns

Croston's Full Metal Jacket Micro Perdigon Olive Widow

Nymph · Trout · Intermediate · 1 version

Classic Recipe

  • Hook barbless jig/nymph hook, 20-22
  • Thread olive 12/0

Materials

  • Bead Tungsten drop bead (2.5-3.2mm) (1)
  • Tail Coq de leon fibres (4-6 fibres)
  • Body Olive tying thread or fine flash (as needed)
  • Rib Fine wire or thin tinsel (optional) (1 strand)
  • Hot spot Black or contrasting thread collar (the 'widow' spot) (few turns)
  • Coating Thin UV resin (as needed)

How to tie it

  1. Fix the tungsten drop bead at the eye with Croston's drop-bead method for maximum weight in a slim silhouette.
  2. Start olive thread and tie in a short sparse coq de leon tail at the bend.
  3. Build a very slim olive body of thread (and optional fine rib) forward to behind the bead.
  4. Add a small dark 'widow' hot-spot collar behind the bead.
  5. Coat body and collar with thin UV resin and cure for a hard, glossy, quick-sinking finish.
  6. Secure and finish behind the bead.

Tying videos

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