Bodkin / Patterns

Livewire Chironomid

Midge · Trout · Intermediate · 1 version

Reference Recipe

  • Hook Scud/pupa hook, 12-18
  • Thread Black 8/0 (70 denier)

Materials

  • Bead (optional) Silver or white bead (1, sized to hook)
  • Wire (body) Red, chartreuse, or copper wire (1 length)
  • Flashabou or tinsel (rib/underbody, optional) Pearl flashabou (1 strand)
  • Peacock herl or dubbing (thorax) Black / peacock herl or dubbing (1-2 herls)
  • Antron or poly (gills) White poly yarn (small tuft)

How to tie it

  1. Seat the bead if using and start thread behind it, running a smooth base to the bend.
  2. Tie in a length of bright colored wire at the bend.
  3. Wrap the wire forward in touching turns to just behind the bead to build a slim glassy segmented body, then tie off and helicopter to break the excess.
  4. Tie in a couple of peacock herls or a pinch of dubbing and wrap a small thorax bump behind the bead.
  5. Add a small tuft of white Antron at the front for gills, kept very short.
  6. Whip finish behind the bead and coat the wire body with a thin layer of UV resin or head cement for shine and durability.

Tying videos

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