Bodkin / Patterns

Fire Bug

Nymph · Midge · Trout · Intermediate · 1 version

Reference Recipe

  • Hook Standard nymph/midge hook, 18
  • Thread Brown 8/0

Materials

  • Bead Mayfly brown (or red) (2.0mm colored brass)
  • Body Golden brown swiss straw (floss)
  • Rib Copper thorax stripe (extra-small wire)

How to tie it

  1. Slide a colored brass bead onto a #18 nymph hook, mount, and start thread behind the bead.
  2. Lay a smooth thread base down to just above the barb.
  3. Tie in a length of extra-small copper wire for the rib.
  4. Wind golden-brown floss forward in touching turns to just behind the bead for a slim, glossy body.
  5. Counter-rib the copper wire forward in 5-6 evenly spaced turns for segmentation, tie off, and helicopter the wire to break it.
  6. Build a small thread collar behind the bead and whip finish.
  7. For a bloodworm version, tie the same fly with a red bead and red body.

Tying videos

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