Bodkin / Patterns

LED Chironomid

Midge · Trout · Intermediate · 1 version

Reference Recipe

  • Hook Curved scud/pupa hook (1XL), #12-18
  • Thread Black 8/0 (70 denier)

Materials

  • Bead (glass or metal) Silver / black / red bead (1, sized to hook)
  • Holographic tinsel or thread (body) Black / red / green holographic tinsel or thread (as needed)
  • Fine wire or mylar rib Silver oval tinsel (1 length)
  • Antron or poly yarn (gills) White poly yarn (1 small tuft)

How to tie it

  1. Slide the bead onto the hook and seat it against the eye. Start the thread behind the bead.
  2. Tie in the ribbing wire and run the thread to the bend, binding the wire along the way.
  3. Build a slim, smooth body of holographic tinsel or thread forward to just behind the bead, keeping it thin and glassy.
  4. Rib the body with 5-6 evenly spaced open turns of wire for segmentation and flash, then tie off and break the wire.
  5. Coat the body with thin UV resin or head cement to seal in the flash and give it a shiny, wet look.
  6. Tie in a short tuft of white Antron behind the bead and trim it very short to suggest the breathing gills.
  7. Whip finish behind the bead and add a final drop of cement.

Tying videos

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