Bodkin / Patterns

Hot Head Diawl Bach

Nymph · Trout · Advanced · 1 version

Classic Recipe

  • Hook Wet-fly / nymph hook, Kamasan B175, #10-14, #10-14
  • Thread Black (fl. orange or fl. red for the head) 8/0 / 70 denier

Materials

  • Hook Kamasan B175 or equivalent wet-fly hook, #10-14 (1)
  • Thread Black UTC 70 denier, plus fluorescent orange (or fl. red) thread for the head (-)
  • Tail Brown/ginger cock hackle fibers (6-8 fibers)
  • Body Bronze peacock herl (2-3 herls)
  • Rib Fine red (or copper) UTC Ultra Wire, brassie (1 strand)
  • Beard / throat Brown/ginger cock hackle fibers (small bunch)
  • Head / hot spot Fluorescent orange (or red) thread, or a coat of fl. orange UV resin (-)

How to tie it

  1. Start black thread behind the eye and run to the bend. Tie in 6-8 brown cock hackle fibers for a short tail about half a shank-length long.
  2. Tie in a strand of red Ultra Wire at the bend, then 2-3 strands of bronze peacock herl by their tips.
  3. Wrap the peacock herl forward to about the 80% point to form a slim body and tie off; leave room for the head.
  4. Rib the body with 4-5 evenly spaced open turns of the red wire (this both segments and reinforces), then helicopter off the excess.
  5. Tie in a small bunch of brown cock hackle fibers underneath as a swept-back beard/throat, reaching to about the hook point.
  6. Switch to fluorescent orange thread and build a distinct bright band/head in the front 20%, whip finish. Optionally coat the head with fl. orange UV resin for durability. This hot head is the pattern's trigger.
  7. Add a drop of head cement.

Tying videos

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