Bodkin / Patterns

La Fontaine Brown

Nymph · Emerger · Trout · Intermediate · 1 version

Reference Recipe

  • Hook Standard wet/nymph hook (1XL), #12-16
  • Thread Brown 8/0 (70 denier)

Materials

  • Antron/sparkle yarn (underbody dubbing) Brown dubbing (1 pinch)
  • Antron yarn (overbody sheath) Clear/amber antron yarn (1 small bunch)
  • Fur dubbing (thorax) Brown dubbing (1 pinch)
  • Grouse or partridge fibers (legs/head) Brown/mottled grouse or partridge fibers (1 small bunch)

How to tie it

  1. Start the thread and dub a plump underbody of brown sparkle yarn over the back two-thirds of the shank to imitate the gas-filled pupal body.
  2. Split a small bunch of clear/amber Antron and tie half on top and half beneath the body, then draw the fibers back around the abdomen as a loose translucent sheath and bind them at the front. This trapped-air bubble is the defining feature of LaFontaine's sparkle pupa.
  3. Trim the sheath fibers so a short veil trails just past the bend.
  4. Dub a brown fur thorax in front of the abdomen.
  5. Tie in a sparse bunch of grouse or partridge fibers over the top as legs/emerging wing, reaching to about the hook point.
  6. Build a small head, whip finish, and cement.

Tying videos

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