Bodkin / Patterns

Ditch Witch

Nymph · Streamer · Panfish · Smallmouth Bass · Largemouth Bass · Advanced · 1 version

Classic Recipe

  • Hook Articulated streamer shanks/hooks (front shank + trailing hook joined by wire/braid), 2 (front), 6 (trailer)
  • Thread Black (or to match: red, chartreuse) 140-210 denier

Materials

  • Front Articulated shank or streamer hook, size 2 (1)
  • Trailer hook Streamer hook, size 6 (1)
  • Connection 20 lb Beadalon or braided loop with beads (1)
  • Eyes Lead/dumbbell eyes (rides hook-down) (1 pair)
  • Rear tail Marabou plus a few strands of Flashabou (1-2 plumes)
  • Rear collar Palmered schlappen or webby hackle (1-2 feathers)
  • Body Ice dub or estaz chenille (as needed)
  • Front hackle/collar Schlappen and/or rubber legs, barred (few)
  • Wing/topping Flash and craft fur or marabou (small bunch)

How to tie it

  1. On the trailing hook, tie in a full marabou tail about a shank-and-a-half long with a few strands of Flashabou each side, then palmer a schlappen collar forward to build a dense, mobile rear profile.
  2. Wrap or dub a short body forward on the trailer, whip finish, and set it aside.
  3. Lash a stout wire/braid loop (threaded with a couple of beads) to the front shank and mount the trailer hook on it so the two sections ride roughly a shank apart; secure the joint hard.
  4. Tie a pair of dumbbell eyes on top of the front shank near the eye so the fly rides hook-point down.
  5. Tie in a second marabou/craft-fur wing and flash on the front section, then dub a full body back to front around the eyes.
  6. Palmer a schlappen collar and add a couple of barred rubber legs at the head, build a neat thread head around the eyes, whip finish and cement for a big, water-pushing profile.

Tying videos

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