Bodkin / Patterns

Jig Dirty Bird Bugger

Streamer · Trout · Smallmouth Bass · Intermediate · 1 version

Classic Recipe

  • Hook Jig/curved shrimp hook (Ahrex NS156 or jig nymph hook), #8-12, #8-12
  • Thread Tan (140 denier) 140 denier / 6-0

Materials

  • Bead Slotted tungsten or brass bead, copper (~3.5mm). Jig-slotted to ride hook-up (1)
  • Tail Mini barred marabou, gray/brown (MFC). For pulsing action (1 small plume)
  • Flash UV Krystal Flash, ultraviolet/pearl (4-6 strands)
  • Body Senyo's Dirty Bird Dubbing, mottled gray/brown (pinch)
  • Rib Small copper wire (UTC Ultra Wire) (5 in)
  • Hackle Strung rooster saddle, natural ginger. Palmered (1 feather)
  • Collar S.T.S. Trilobal Dub, fluorescent orange. Buggy collar/hot spot (pinch)

How to tie it

  1. Slide the copper bead onto the jig hook, seat it behind the eye, and start the tan thread. Add a few wraps of lead behind the bead for extra weight if desired.
  2. At the bend, tie in a gray/brown mini barred marabou tail about a shank length long plus a few strands of UV Krystal Flash. The marabou gives the signature pulsing movement.
  3. Tie in the copper wire and a natural ginger saddle hackle at the tail.
  4. Dub a buggy gray/brown Senyo's Dirty Bird body forward to about the 80% point.
  5. Palmer the ginger hackle forward over the body, then counter-rib with the copper wire in 4-5 turns to lock it and tie off.
  6. Dub a fluorescent-orange trilobal collar behind the bead as a hot-spot/head, whip finish. The mottled body plus orange collar shines in tannin-stained water.

Tying videos

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