Bodkin / Patterns

Helgramite

Nymph · Trout · Smallmouth Bass · Intermediate · 1 version

Reference Recipe

  • Hook 4XL streamer/nymph (TMC 300), 4-8
  • Thread Black 6/0

Materials

  • Lead-free wire Silver lead free wire (10-12 turns)
  • Goose biots Black goose biots (4 (tail forks + pincers))
  • Copper wire rib Copper wire (one length)
  • Chenille or dubbing rope Black/brown dubbing (body)
  • Round rubber legs Black ostrich herl (2-3 strands)

How to tie it

  1. Wrap 10-12 turns of lead-free wire over the front half of the shank, start black thread, and lay a base to the bend.
  2. Tie in two black goose biots splayed as a forked tail (the prolegs), half a shank long.
  3. Bind in a copper wire rib and a length of black chenille (or a dubbing rope) at the bend.
  4. Wrap a fat, segmented abdomen forward to the 60% mark, then counter-rib the copper wire in 6-7 open turns for segmentation and durability.
  5. Tie black round rubber across the shank at 2-3 points, figure-8ing so the legs splay along the thorax.
  6. Wrap or dub a slightly wider thorax over the leg roots.
  7. At the eye, tie in two goose biots angled forward as pincers/antennae.
  8. Whip finish behind the eye and cement.

Tying videos

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