Bodkin / Patterns

Major Bunker

Streamer · Largemouth Bass · Smallmouth Bass · Pike · Musky · Advanced · 1 version

Tyer Recipe

Hook Gamakatsu Weighted Superline EWG (weedless bass hook) + articulated shank, 6/0
Thread White GSP or flat waxed nylon

Articulated shank (1 (extra-large))
Nylon-coated stainless wire (60 lb) or titanium wire (1 length (weedless rig))
Bead (1 (rig))
Body braid (Bill's Body Braid) Pearl mylar tinsel (shank cover)
Bucktail White bucktail (belly/body)
SF Blend / Squimpish Hair White, olive, gray sf blend squimpish hair (body)
Flashabou Pearl flashabou (flash)
Fluoro Fiber or craft fur Hot pink fluoro fiber or craft fur (throat/gills)
Peacock herl Natural peacock herl (topping)
3D eyes (1 pair)
E6000 / super glue (as needed)

On the articulated shank, apply super glue and wrap it fully with pearl body braid to build a base; whip finish and soak with glue. This is the rear body section.
Slip the shank onto the weighted EWG hook and build a thread base up the incline to seat the shank tight to the hook eye, using super glue to lock the wraps; whip finish.
Rig the weed guard: run a length of coated stainless (or titanium) wire along the shank, thread on a bead near the rear, form a small loop and lash the wire down both sides for a stiff weedless rig; trim.
Cover the hook's lead and the rest of the shank with pearl body braid so no lead shows; glue it down.
Build the tail/rear body by stacking clumps of white bucktail and SF Blend/Squimpish hair on the shank, adding pearl Flashabou, to form a broad menhaden (bunker) profile.
Move to the front hook and build successive stacked bundles of white belly hair and gray/olive back hair with flash, keeping the deep, water-pushing bunker shape.
Tie in a hot-pink Fluoro Fiber throat for gills and top the fly with a few strands of peacock herl for a dark back.
Build and taper the head, glue on 3D eyes with E6000, coat the head, whip finish and cement.