Bodkin / Patterns

Hustler Nymph

Nymph · Trout · Intermediate · 1 version

Classic Recipe

  • Hook Jig nymph hook (60-degree), Umpqua XC400BL / Hanak 450BL, #12-16, #12-16
  • Thread Black 14/0 / 70 denier

Materials

  • Hook Jig nymph hook, Umpqua XC400BL or Hanak 450BL, #12-16 (1)
  • Bead Gold slotted (or offset) tungsten bead, 2.8mm (1)
  • Thread Veevus 14/0 black (-)
  • Tail Coq de Leon fibers, dark pardo (6-8 fibers)
  • Rib Sulky opalescent metallic tinsel (1 strand)
  • Body Hare's ear dubbing (or SLF Spikey Squirrel) (pinch)
  • Collar Dark gray dun CDC feather (tied as a soft-hackle loop) (1 feather)
  • Head Peacock black ice dub (small pinch)

How to tie it

  1. Seat a gold slotted tungsten bead behind the eye of the jig hook. Start black thread and run to the bend.
  2. Tie in 6-8 dark pardo coq de leon fibers for a tail about half a shank-length long, then a strand of Sulky opalescent tinsel for the rib.
  3. Dub a slim, buggy body of hare's ear dubbing from the bend forward to about the 65% point.
  4. Rib the body with 5-6 evenly spaced open turns of the Sulky tinsel, a subtle flash through the body, and tie off.
  5. Tie in a dark gray dun CDC feather and take one turn (or spin it in a dubbing/CDC loop) just ahead of the body to form a soft, mobile hackle collar that acts as an emerging shuck/casing; stroke back and tie off.
  6. Dub a small head of peacock black Ice Dub behind the bead, whip finish and cement.

Tying videos

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