Bodkin / Patterns

Frisky Fly

Dry Fly · Trout · Advanced · 1 version

Tyer Recipe

Bead Gold (silver, copper or black all work) (1, sized to hook)
Lead wire n/a (4-5 wraps behind the bead)
Guard hairs from fox squirrel or hare's mask Natural hare s ear dubbing (A small clump for the tail)
Crystal flash Pearl flashabou (2 strands under the tail, 1 strand for the rib)
Hare's mask dubbing Light, multi-toned (face fur included for black highlights, a hint of orange) (Body)
Monofilament tippet Clear weed guard (5X, counter-wrapped over the rib)

Slide the bead onto the hook and put four or five wraps of lead wire on behind it, then push them right up into the back of the bead. The lead is a stop as much as weight. It keeps the bead from migrating once the fly is finished.
Start 6/0 thread behind the lead and bind the wraps down.
Tie in exactly two strands of pearl crystal flash at the bend, short. No longer than the tail will be. These go underneath the tail.
Take a small clump of guard hairs from a fox squirrel body or a hare's mask and tie them in over the flash as a short tail, nymph proportions.
Tie in one strand of pearl crystal flash for the rib on the far side of the hook, so that when you wrap it clockwise the material passes underneath the shank and is less likely to be knocked off.
Tie in a length of 5X monofilament for the counter rib on the near side of the hook, so the two ribs will run in opposite directions.
Dub the light hare's mask onto the thread fairly thin and wrap the body forward to the back of the bead, adding a second application if you run out. Pick a blend with enough face fur for black highlights and a hint of orange in it.
Wind the crystal flash rib forward in five or six evenly spaced turns, tie it off at the bead and trim.
Reverse-wrap the 5X mono over the top of the crystal flash rib in the opposite direction to armour it, crystal flash breaks on the first or second fish otherwise, and the fly loses most of its effectiveness. Tie off and trim.
Whip finish behind the bead.