Bodkin / Patterns

Don's Shadow Chironomid

Midge · Nymph · Trout · Advanced · 1 version

Tyer Recipe

  • Hook Mustad C53S curved scud/pupa hook, 16
  • Thread Black (12/0 for the body, 6/0 for the taper and thorax) 12/0 and 6/0 nano silk

Materials

  • Bead Black nickel with white tip (3/32 in, one)
  • Flashabou (body) Gunmetal grey flashabou (3 strands)
  • Flashabou (first rib) Black holographic tinsel (1 strand)
  • Wire (second rib) Black wire (Fine, one strand)
  • Nano silk (thorax) Black floss (6/0)
  • UV resin Clear uv resin (Thin coat over the body)

How to tie it

  1. Slide the 3/32 in black nickel bead onto a size 16 Mustad C53S with the white tip facing the eye. That tip stands in for the gills. Start 12/0 black thread and lay a thin base.
  2. Tie the materials in reverse of the order they will be wrapped. First tie in the fine black wire and leave it off the back for the second rib.
  3. Tie in one strand of black Flashabou for the first rib and leave it off the back as well.
  4. Tie in three strands of gunmetal grey Flashabou at the rear of the hook for the body.
  5. Whip finish the 12/0 thread. It keeps the rear of the body very thin, then start 6/0 black thread and wrap it forward and back to build a slim tapered underbody, finishing behind the bead.
  6. Wrap the gunmetal grey Flashabou forward over the taper to form the body and tie it off behind the bead.
  7. Wrap the black Flashabou forward as the first rib, six or seven turns, and tie off.
  8. Follow the same track with the fine black wire for the second rib; instead of cutting it, wiggle it back and forth against the hook to break it cleanly behind the bead.
  9. Build a pronounced black thorax behind the bead with the 6/0 thread, whip finish and clip.
  10. Coat the body with a thin layer of UV resin and cure it with the UV light.

Tying videos

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